Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loss-of-function of the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.5 (channelopathies) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND & AIMS SCN5A encodes the α-subunit of the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.5. Many patients with cardiac arrhythmias caused by mutations in SCN5A also have symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We investigated whether patients with IBS have SCN5A variants that affect the function of NaV1.5. METHODS We performed genotype analysis of SCN5A in 584 persons with IBS and 1380 without IBS (controls). Mutant forms of SCN5A were expressed in human embryonic kidney-293 cells, and functions were assessed by voltage clamp analysis. A genome-wide association study was analyzed for an association signal for the SCN5A gene, and replicated in 1745 patients in 4 independent cohorts of IBS patients and controls. RESULTS Missense mutations were found in SCN5A in 13 of 584 patients (2.2%, probands). Diarrhea-predominant IBS was the most prevalent form of IBS in the overall study population (25%). However, a greater percentage of individuals with SCN5A mutations had constipation-predominant IBS (31%) than diarrhea-predominant IBS (10%; P < .05). Electrophysiologic analysis showed that 10 of 13 detected mutations disrupted NaV1.5 function (9 loss-of-function and 1 gain-of-function function). The p. A997T-NaV1.5 had the greatest effect in reducing NaV1.5 function. Incubation of cells that expressed this variant with mexiletine restored their sodium current and administration of mexiletine to 1 carrier of this mutation (who had constipation-predominant IBS) normalized their bowel habits. In the genome-wide association study and 4 replicated studies, the SCN5A locus was strongly associated with IBS. CONCLUSIONS About 2% of patients with IBS carry mutations in SCN5A. Most of these are loss-of-function mutations that disrupt NaV1.5 channel function. These findings provide a new pathogenic mechanism for IBS and possible treatment options.
Are the Latent Variables in Time‐Varying Expected Returns Compensation for Consumption Risk?

Multibeta asset pricing models are examined using proxies for economic state variables in a framework that exploits time-varying expected returns to estimate conditional betas. Examples include multiple consumption-beta models and models where asset returns proxy for the state variables. When the state variables are not specified, the tests indicate two or three time-varying expected risk premiums in the sample of quarterly asset returns. Conditional betas relative to consumption generate less striking evidence against the model than betas relative to asset returns, but both the consumption and the market variables fail to proxy for the state variables. Copyright 1990 by American Finance Association.
A review of the main challenges to urban sustainability

Considering the existential threat that global warming poses to humanity, the current focus on climate change is undoubtedly justified. However, this should not overshadow the fact that sustainable development does not only end with environmental concerns but also covers social and economic domains that are mediated through physical spaces and built form. There are two-way interactions between these domains with each having a reciprocal impact on the other. Based on the institutional and policy context, these interactions can move us towards either a more virtuous circle of development with more equitable growth, empowered communities, liveable spaces and reduced (or at least controlled) levels of pollution, or the reverse. Consequently, in order to set the scene for the launch of the International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, I attempt to provide an overview of the main challenges emanating from each domain for achieving urban sustainability and the contribution that the new journal can make to this debate.
Mentor educators' understandings of mentoring preservice primary teachers

Mentors are significant in shaping a preservice teacher’s practices. Developing common understandings about effective mentoring practices can assist the mentoring process. What are mentor educators’ practical ideas towards implementing a mentoring program? This mixed-method study involves surveys, questionnaires, and audio-taped focus group meetings on 14 mentor educators’ views on mentoring preservice primary teachers. This research aims to understand mentor educators’ motivations for mentoring, their views about what makes a good mentor, benefits for mentors, and issues or concerns for mentors and the mentoring process. It also focuses on determining professional development for mentors and troubleshooting potential problems. Findings revealed that these mentor educators were motivated into developing mentoring programs as a way to: (1) influence the quality of preservice teacher education (2) provide personal and professional development in mentoring, and (3) support mentors and the mentoring process within school settings. Outlining what makes a good mentor and benefits for mentors were consistent with the literature. However, these expert mentors also provided potential solutions (e.g., university support and professional development ideas) on issues such as knowing the mentee’s level of development and expectations, building a professional relationship prior to placement and the mentor’s dual role as confidant and assessor.
Unearthing key drivers of knowledge leakage

Intellectual capital such as skills, experience and the critical knowledge of employees is essential for organisations' success. For organisations to use intellectual capital to their best advantage, the concept of Knowledge Leakage, in its positive and negative form needs to be understood. Knowledge or experience leaking away from its origin may lead to a loss of competitive advantage for an organisation. Presented here is the initial assessment of in-depth interviews, with employees of manufacturing and services organisations, aimed at investigating the main drivers of knowledge leakage as a function of firm and inter-firm activities. As a result, organisations' interactions with four key drivers of knowledge leakage have been identified; namely, suppliers, customers, competitors and people. This paper discusses these key drivers and the resulting knowledge leakage with an integrated approach to knowledge 'loss' and 'gain'.
Dantrolene protects neurons against kainic acid induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo

Apoptotic cell death induced by kainic acid (KA) in cultures of rat cerebellar granule cells (CGC) and in different brain regions of Wistar rat pups on postnatal day 21 (P21) was studied. In vitro, KA (100–500 μM) induced a concentration‐dependent loss of cell viability in MTT assay and cell death had apoptotic morphology as studied by chromatin staining with propidium iodide (PI). In vivo, twenty‐four hours after induction of status epilepticus (SE) by an intraperitoneal KA injection (5 mg/kg) we quantified apoptotic cells in hippocampus (CA1 and CA3), parietal cortex and cerebellum using PI staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. We report that dantrolene, a specific ryanodine receptor antagonist, was able to significantly reduce the apoptotic cell death in CGC cultures and in hyppocampal CA1 and parietal cortex regions. Our finding can be valuable for neuroprotective therapy strategies in patients with repeated generalized seizures or status epilepticus.
Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Models for Providers of Critical Infrastructure

Critical infrastructure such as power generation and distribution systems, telecommunications networks, pipelines and pipeline control networks, transportation control networks, financial networks, and government information and communications technology (ICT) have increasingly become the target of cyber-attacks. The impact and cost of these threats, as well as regulatory pressure to mitigate them, have created an impetus to secure these critical infrastructures. Managers have many controls and models at their disposal to help them secure infrastructure technology, including cybersecurity capability maturity models to enable measurement and communication of cybersecurity readiness to top management teams, regulators, and customers, thereby facilitating regulatory compliance, corporate responsibility, and improved brand quality. However, information and awareness is lacking about which models are most appropriate for a given situation and how they should be deployed. This article examines relevant cybersecurity capability maturity models to identify the standards and controls available to providers of critical infrastructure in an effort to improve their level of security preparedness. These capability models are described and categorized by their relevance to different infrastructure domains, and then recommendations are provided on employing capability maturity models to measure and communicate readiness. This article will be relevant to regulators, critical infrastructure providers, and researchers.
The quality of democracy in Belarus and Ukraine

A re-examination of the role of agency suggests that although the endurance and the lawful functioning of democratic systems do matter, what appears to be of greater importance is the citizens' ‘enlightened understanding’ of the workings of democracy, without which the progress towards good governance and full partnership between the rulers and the ruled cannot be achieved. There is an existing gulf between people's acceptance of the ‘institutional’ forms of democracy and their ‘emotional’ loyalty to the past legacies in Belarus and Ukraine. As a result, these regimes can be defined as cases of demagogical democracy, associated with mass approval and reliance on the personalized power of a demagogue who governs by decree and seeks legitimation directly from the electorate.
Financial Institutions and the Taxi-Cab Industry: An Exploratory Study in Canada

A current challenge taxi-cab owner/operators face in Canada is the lack of financing for taxi-cabs. This article examines business opportunities and lending risk; it also provides risk management strategies for financial institutions to manage the risk of lending to the taxi-cab industry. Members of the boards of directors and shareholders from the Canadian taxi-cab industry, and lenders from financial institutions that do not provide financing to taxi-cab owner/operators, were interviewed. Board members and shareholders were asked about their perceptions regarding business opportunity, risk, and their willingness to provide collateral for taxi-cab loans. Lenders of financial institutions were asked about their reasons for not providing taxi-cab loans. The findings of this study show that there is a reasonably attractive opportunity for financial institutions to offer financing for taxi-cab owner/operators. However, the findings also show that there are both systematic and unsystematic risks in lending to the taxi-cab industry. This offers recommendations on risk management strategies for Canadian lenders to mitigate the risk in lending to the Canadian taxi-cab industry. Our findings may be useful for new and existing financial/lending institutions, lenders, investors, and taxi-cab owner/operators.
Corporate Payout Policy

We present a synthesis of academic research on corporate payout policy grounded in the pioneering contributions of Lintner (1956) and Miller and Modigliani (1961). We conclude that a simple asymmetric information framework that emphasizes the need to distribute FCF and that embeds agency costs (as in Jensen (1986)) and security valuation problems (as in Myers and Majluf (1984)) does a good job of explaining the main features of observed payout policies — i.e., the massive size of corporate payouts, their timing and, to a lesser degree, their (dividend versus stock repurchase) form. We also conclude that managerial signaling motives, clientele demands, tax deferral benefits, investors' behavioral heuristics, and investor sentiment have at best minor influences on payout policy, but that behavioral biases at the managerial level (e.g., over-confidence) and the idiosyncratic preferences of controlling stockholders plausibly have a first-order impact.
When $262 Billion Is Not Enough: Rethinking Reserve Accumulation in South Korea

Abstract In the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, South Korea was hit hard by a sudden reversal in capital flows, a severe credit crunch and extreme exchange-rate instability. Despite having accumulated large holdings of reserves in a self-help strategy to hedge against such capital account shocks, the government was ultimately forced to abandon its defensive position and ask for external assistance. This article provides a critical examination of the broader forces behind Korea’s reserve accumulation and its problematic consequences. In addition to explaining reserve accumulation as a financially induced phenomenon, the economic costs of reserve hoarding are estimated and its efficacy evaluated in light of the crisis. It is shown that Korea’s reserve accumulation, undertaken as a costly form of self-insurance, was neither sufficient nor efficient in guarding against the volatility of global financial markets. To navigate the pitfalls of financial globalisation more successfully and cost-effectively, Korea needs to go beyond focusing exclusively on the asset side of its vulnerable international liquidity position by blindly hoarding more reserves at ever-escalating costs. It needs to also tackle the liabilities side of the ledger by reducing its heavy exposure to short-term, flight-prone foreign capital.
Export-promoting production subsidies and the dynamic gains from experience

This paper examines export-promoting production subsidies in a dynamic product-cycle model with learning by doing and spillovers from experience. History dictates that the South is less experienced than the North and, thus, produces less advanced goods. Non-uniform Southern export promoting production subsidies applied to a small set of marginal industries that are on the verge of being internationally competitive, generate conventional static benefits for the South and costs for the North. Since such an industrial policy expands the South's range of production, it ultimately enhances Southern learning. The South's rate of production and technology transfer and the North's rate of innovation both increase, creating dynamic benefits for each country. While the South must gain overall, the North will also gain if the dynamic benefits outweigh the static costs.
Appropriate use of heparin. Empiric vs nomogram-based dosing.

BACKGROUND A study involving two groups of patients with cardiovascular disease was conducted to compare empiric (clinician-directed) heparin therapy with therapy based on a nomogram-determined dosage. The comparison was based on (1) the average weight-referenced infusion rate yielding a therapeutic activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and (2) the time required to reach a therapeutic APTT (55 to 95 seconds) after empiric or nomogram-based heparin therapy was initiated. METHODS Data were collected for patients admitted to the cardiology service at a university health science center in two phases: phase 1 (April 1 through June 30, 1992), involving 95 patients receiving heparin therapy, with 88 patients included in the data analysis, and phase 2 (March 11 through June 11, 1993), involving 156 patients receiving heparin therapy, with 45 patients receiving nomogram-guided therapy included in the data analysis. RESULTS In phase 1, 66 patients (75.0%) achieved a therapeutic APTT some time during their heparin therapy, with an average time to therapeutic APTT of 20.7 + 19.1 hours. Regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between the heparin infusion rate at the time of the patient's first therapeutic APTT and the patient's total body weight (r2 = .3043). An initial infusion rate based on total body weight (13 U/kg per hour) was therefore used as the basis for the nomogram in phase 2. In phase 2, 41 patients (91.1%) achieved a therapeutic APTT at some time during their heparin therapy, with an average time to therapeutic APTT of 13.1 + 11.9 hours, statistically significantly shorter than that in phase 1. A greater proportion of patients in phase 2 compared with patients in phase 1 reached the therapeutic range within 12 hours (62.2% vs 34.1%) and within 24 hours (77.8% vs 54.5%). CONCLUSIONS Use of a weight-based nomogram to determine the initial and maintenance heparin infusion rates was associated with a higher percentage of patients admitted to the cardiology service reaching the targeted therapeutic APTT range at a time earlier in the course of therapy compared with empiric dosing.
Participation in science, mathematics and technology in Australian education

This report was commissioned to update and extend the Background Data and Analysis component of the report, Australia's Teachers: Australia's Future - Advancing Innovation, Science, Technology and Mathematics (Committee for the Review of Teaching and Teacher Education, 2003a) that informed the Main Report (Committee for the Review of Teaching and Teacher Education, 2003b) [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 1.101]. In the five years since the 2003 review, there have been developments in science, technology and mathematics education that have been impacted on by initiatives in policy and practice as well by changes in the context. So that changes in science, technology and mathematics education can be properly measured the measures of participation that are used in this report parallel those that were used in the 2003 report wherever that is possible. In brief this report provides updated figures on: the performance of Australian school students in science and mathematics; participation in science, mathematics, and technology in the final year of secondary school; university participation in science and technology studies; and teachers, teaching and teacher education in science, technology and mathematics.
Measuring corporate sustainability: a Thai approach

Purpose – This study aims to measure the Thai approach of corporate sustainability. In the corporate world, the Thai philosophy of Sufficiency Economy can be applied to ensure corporate sustainability. Derived from the literature, a structural model expressing relationships between six independent variables of Sufficiency Economy indicators and three dependent variables of sustainability performance outcomes is formed accordingly, followed by hypotheses to be tested. Design/methodology/approach – The model is tested through a random sample of 294 chief executive officers (CEOs) in Thailand who were asked to respond to a questionnaire. Factor and regression analyses are adopted to test the hypotheses. Findings – Findings indicate that “perseverance” and “resilience” are two direct predictors of three sustainability outcomes of the firm’s enhanced capacity to deliver strong performance, endure social and economic crises and deliver public benefits. “Geosocial development” is a direct predictor of firm’s enhanced capacity to deliver public benefits and an indirect predictor of firm’s enhanced capacity to deliver strong performance and to endure social and economic crises. “Moderation” is an indirect predictor of the firm’s capacity to endure social and economic crises, while “sharing” is an indirect predictor of all three sustainability performance outcomes. Practical implications – Small- and medium-sized enterprises business leaders should develop a “perseverance” culture in their organizations and practice “resilience” to enhance their corporate sustainability prospect. Moreover, they should adopt “geosocial development”, “moderation” and “sharing” practices in their organizations, as these practices positively affect corporate sustainability performance directly or indirectly. Originality/value – This study is among the first few studies that identify corporate sustainability performance predictors.
BLSTM neural networks for speech driven head motion synthesis

Head motion naturally occurs in synchrony with speech and carries important intention, attitude and emotion factors. This paper aims to synthesize head motions from natural speech for talking avatar applications. Speciﬁcally, we study the feasibility of learning speech-to-head-motion regression models by two types of popular neural networks, i.e., feed-forward and bidirectional long short-term memory (BLSTM). We discover that the BLSTM networks apparently outperform the feed-forward ones in this task because of their capacity of learning long-range speech dynamics. More interestingly, we observe that stacking different networks, i.e., inserting a feed-forward layer into two BLSTM layers, achieves the best performance. Subjective evaluation shows that this hybrid network can produce more plausible head motions from speech.
Environmental and Social Programmes and Rapidly Growing Retailers

This paper looks to provide an exploratory review of the extent to which the world’s fastest growing retailers are publicly reporting on their environmental and social commitments and programmes. The paper begins with an outline discussion of corporate environmental and social programmes and on public reporting processes. The paper draws its empirical material from the most recent information on environmental and social commitments and programmes posted on the world’s top twenty fastest growing retailers’ corporate web sites. While the majority of the world’s top twenty fastest growing retailers provide some public information on their commitment to environmental and social programmes there is marked variation in the extent, the nature and the detail of that information. The findings suggest that the integration of environmental and social programmes is not one of the hallmarks of rapidly growing retailers and in part this reflects the fact that many of the selected retailers are trading within emergent markets where price and availability are the principal factors driving consumer buying behaviour.
Lost in translation: exploring the link between HRM and performance in healthcare

Using data collected in 2004 from 132 Victorian (Australia) public healthcare providers, comprising metropolitan and regional hospital networks, rural hospitals and community health centres, we investigated the perceptions of HRM from the experiences of chief executive officers, HR directors and other senior managers. We found some evidence that managers in healthcare organisations reported different perceptions of strategic HRM and a limited focus on collection and linking of HR performance data with organisational performance management processes. Using multiple moderator regression and multivariate analysis of variance, significant differences were found in perceptions of strategic HRM and HR priorities between chief executive officers, HR directors and other senior managers in the large organisations. This suggested that the strategic human management paradigm is ‘lost in translation’, particularly in large organisations, and consequently opportunities to understand and develop the link between people management practices and improved organisational outcomes may be missed. There is some support for the relationship between strategic HRM and improved organisational outcomes. Implications of these findings are drawn for managerial practice. Contact: Timothy Bartram, School of Business, Faculty of Law and Management, La Trobe University, Victoria 3086, Australia. Email: