Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noncell-autonomous photoreceptor degeneration in a zebrafish model of choroideremia

Choroideremia is an X-linked hereditary retinal degeneration resulting from mutations in the Rab escort protein-1 (REP1). The Rep1 protein facilitates posttranslational modification of Rab proteins, which regulate intracellular trafficking in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors and are likely involved in the removal of outer segment disk membranes by the RPE. A critical question for potential treatment of choroideremia is whether photoreceptor degeneration results from autonomous defects in opsin transport within the photoreceptor or as a nonautonomous and secondary consequence of RPE degeneration. To address this question, we have characterized the retinal pathology in zebrafish rep1 mutants, which carry a recessive nonsense mutation in the REP1 gene. Zebrafish rep1 mutants exhibit degeneration of the RPE and photoreceptors and complete loss of visual function as measured by electroretinograms. In the mutant RPE, photoreceptor outer segment material was not effectively eliminated, and large vacuoles were observed. However, opsin trafficking in photoreceptors occurred normally. Mosaic analysis revealed that photoreceptor degeneration was nonautonomous and required contact with the mutant RPE as mutant photoreceptors were rescued in wild-type hosts and wild-type photoreceptors degenerated in mutant hosts. We conclude that mutations in REP1 disrupt cellular processes in the RPE, which causes photoreceptor death as a secondary consequence. These results suggest that therapies that correct the RPE may successfully rescue photoreceptor loss in choroideremia.
An interrogation of the dialogic potential of insurance firm websites in Ghana

This paper examines the dialogic potential of insurance firms’ websites in Ghana. Research was executed via a content analysis of insurance companies’ websites in Ghana using Kent and Taylor’s (1998) dialogic framework. Insurance companies in Ghana have been fairly successful in utilizing the dialogic features in their corporate websites. Out of the five dialogic principles proposed by Kent and Taylor (1998); the findings of the study show a preponderant use of the dialogic loop feature by the sampled insurance companies. Also comparing local and international companies, the local insurance companies seem rather more dialogic than the international companies. However the sampled insurance companies performed rather poorly on the principle of return visit and conservation of visitors. This study contributes to the scarce literature on dialogic potential of websites from a developing country context.
Open and closed CDM isocurvature models contrasted with the CMB data

We consider pure isocurvature cold dark matter models in the case of open and closed universe. We allow for a large spectral tilt and scan the 6-dimensional parameter space for the best fit to the COBE, Boomerang, and Maxima-1 data. Taking into account constraints from large-scale structure and big bang nucleosynthesis, we find a best fit with $\chi^2 = 121$, which is to be compared to $\chi^2 = 44$ of a flat adiabatic reference model. Hence the current data strongly disfavour pure isocurvature perturbations.
Current status of syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections in developing countries

The syndromic approach has been a major step forward in rationalising and improving management of STI Diagnosis of a presumed sexually transmitted infection (STI) has traditionally been based on either clinical diagnosis, which is often inaccurate and incomplete, or laboratory diagnosis, which is complex, very expensive, and may delay treatment. As early as the 1970s, public health physicians, particularly those working in Africa, became interested in testing simple clinical tools for controlling and treating STIs.1 This resulted in the design and promotion of “syndromic management” guidelines for STIs by the World Health Organization in 1991.2 The syndromic approach does not require identification of the underlying aetiology. Instead, it is based on the identification of a syndrome—that is, a group of symptoms and easily recognised signs associated with a number of well defined aetiologies. Treatment is provided for the majority of the organisms locally responsible for the syndrome. It rapidly became clear that the syndromic approach offered enormous advantages compared to the traditional approach, although more evidence was needed to rationalise and convince policy makers.3 Algorithms based on a syndromic approach were evaluated in many different settings, results of which were reported in the late 1990s—for example in a supplement of STI . 4 In a study in South Africa, for instance, the syndromic management protocols provided adequate treatment for more than 90% of patients with genital ulcer syndrome (GUS). 5 In another study …
Predicting SMEs use of business related social media

Background: There has been dramatic growth in the use of social media over the past number of years. This has influenced not just individuals, but importantly the way in which business now carry out their daily day-to-day business activities. Marketing and advertising strategies are now using social media to promote products, services and brand awareness. However, Small-MediumEnterprises may not be adopting social media fully and thus missing out of gaining new customers, market share, sales and competitive advantage. Aim: The overall aim of this research is to understand the impact of each key attitudes, perceptions and abilities of SME owner/mangers around using and adopting social media within their business activities, through an application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour model. An expanded model measuring the role of online trust, security and privacy drivers was conceptualised. Methodology: A mix-methodology employing cross-sectional qualitative (in-depth interview) and quantitative (online survey) approaches was formulated based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour model. In total six professionals took part in the interviews while 89 SMEs completed the survey. Findings & Conclusion: Analysis identified specific advantages and disadvantages in regards to using business related social media. Additionally, social pressures, barriers and facilitators experienced by owner/mangers were also identified. Statistically, the TPB had a significant impact on owner/mangers decision making processes around using social media; however trust, security and privacy had no significant impact. Importantly, owner/mangers social media usage was influence by their own decisions solely and not their personal abilities. Overall, most SMEs used social media, however few were able to measure its return-on-investment for the business. The study identified a need for further research within this area and specific training around measuring return-on-investment. All findings were discussed in light of current research and literature.
Abnormal retinotopic organization of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the tyrosinase‐negative albino cat

Visual defects associated with hypopigmentation have been studied extensively in Siamese and albino cats. Previous research on tyrosinase‐negative albino cats has shown that (1) ≈95% of all nasal and temporal retinal fibers cross at the optic chiasm, and (2) ocular dominance columns normally found in cortex are replaced with hemiretinal domains. In this study, we compared the retinotopic organization of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus ( LGNd ) and visual cortex in albino cats. Extracellular recordings were conducted in the LGNd , area 17, and area 18 of six albino cats. Receptive fields (RFs) were plotted for all sites. We find that, as in albino visual cortex, the albino LGNd contains (1) normal cells with RFs in the visual hemifield contralateral to the recording site (RFc), (2) abnormal cells with RFs in the ipsilateral hemifield (RFi), (3) abnormal cells with dual, mirror‐symmetric RFs, one in each hemifield (RFd), and (4) abnormal cells with broad RFs that span the vertical meridian (RFb). Our data indicate that lamina A and lamina A1 consist predominantly of normal RFc and abnormal RFi cells, respectively. The C laminae contain a mixture of RFc, RFi, RFd, and RFb cells. The interlaminar zones contained RFd cells, RFb cells, or both. Thus, the albino LGNd is arranged into hemiretinal and not ocular dominance laminae. Finally, the percentage of normal cells is significantly larger in area 17 (84%) and area 18 (70%) than in the LGNd (46%), suggesting a suppression of abnormal activity in albino cat cortex, which could underlie the existing competence of visual function in albinos. J. Comp. Neurol. 427:209–219, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Strategic Approach to CSR Communication: Examining the Impact of Brand Familiarity on Consumer Responses

Despite the widely acknowledged importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) communications, our knowledge is limited with regard to various factors affecting consumer responses to such communication efforts. This paper aims to identify the extent to which prior brand familiarity influences consumer responses to CSR communications through a controlled experiment, exploring whether the use of different communication functions for environmental domain of CSR (i.e., publicity and advertising) generates any different effect on these responses. Findings reveal that familiar and unfamiliar brands do not differ from each other with regard to consumer attitude toward message, but elicit dissimilar responses in terms of attitude toward brand and purchase intentions. The study leads to managerial implications regarding the effective formulation and dissemination of CSR-related messages in order to achieve stakeholder engagement. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Successful service delivery of mass sports programs in Malaysia

This research explores successful service delivery of Mass Sports programs by using an organisational effectiveness framework and Appreciative Inquiry approach. The main aim of this research was to determine the factors needed for successful service delivery of Mass Sports programs and to promote public participation in sports and physical activities. The context was the management and delivery of Mass Sports programs sponsored by the Malaysian government. Specifically, the objectives of this research were to: develop a set of descriptive performance indicators that measure successful service delivery of Mass Sports programs; determine the internal and external factors contributing to successful service delivery of Mass Sports programs; establish the organisational capabilities needed for successful service delivery of Mass Sports programs; and determine stakeholders‘ satisfaction level with the service delivery performance of Mass Sports programs by public sports organisations.
Repair of Achilles Tendon Ruptures with Peroneus Brevis Tendon Augmentation

Purpose. To report 22 patients who underwent repair of compound Achilles tendon ruptures with peroneus brevis tendon augmentation. Methods. Records of 6 women and 19 men aged 21 to 42 (mean, 28) years who underwent repair of compound Achilles tendon ruptures with peroneus brevis tendon augmentation were reviewed. All the wounds were transverse/oblique, minimally contaminated, and could be closed primarily. Patients were evaluated at months 3, 9, and 12, using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) questionnaire. Results. Of the 22 patients, 3 developed superficial skin complications that healed gradually, and 2 developed a superficial discharging sinus and underwent minor debridement. No patient had a re-rupture of the Achilles tendon. At the one-year follow-up, all patients achieved good functional outcome in terms of the FAOS. Conclusion. Repair of Achilles tendon ruptures with peroneus brevis tendon augmentation achieved good functional outcome.
Comparative Economic Analysis of Rice Production by Adopters and Non-Adopters of Improved Varieties among Farmer in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State

This study was on the Comparative Economic Analysis of Adopters and Non-adopters of improved rice varieties among farmers in Paikoro Local Area of Niger State. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 90 respondents, which consist of 45 adopters of improved rice variety and 45 non-adopters of improved rice variety using stratified random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, gross margin and production function were used in analyzing the data. The results revealed that 68.9% of adopters were male, while for the non-adopters, 53.3% were male. Costs and returns analysis shows that adopters had the highest mean gross margin of ₦58, 663.4 per hectare compared to ₦29, 682.6 per hectare for non-adopters. Semi-log functional form was chosen as the lead equation for adopters and non-adopters with R 2 of 0.92 and 0.65 respectively. Farm Size and fertilizer were significant at 1% and improved seed was significant at 5% level for the adopters, while only farm size and quantity of agro-chemicals were significant at 1% and 10% respectively for the non-adopters. Some of the problems encountered by both categories of farmers in the study area include; pests and diseases, high cost of seed, fertilizer and labour. It is recommended that policy should be designed to ensure adequate supply of inputs to farmers at subsidized rates and extension packages should also be extended to non-adopters.
The Effect of Macroeconomic & Market Specific Dynamics on Stock Market Development in Global Growth Generator Countries

As the global financial crisis dethrones the developed world from its economic supremacy, by leading the global economic recovery and growth, the global growth generator (3G) countries are expected to fill the vacuum. Capital market i.e. stock market development can play a crucial role in augmenting such growth in these 3G countries. This study aims at augmenting the determinants of stock market development in the 3G countries so that policy makers can be aided for developing a functioning and stable stock market. Using panel ARDL model for 8 (eight) out of 11(eleven) 3G countries over a period of 1980-2011, the study confirms that several macroeconomics i.e. foreign direct investment, real interest rate and stock market operating characteristics have a significant long run contribution to the development of stock market and thereupon a sustained economic growth.
Expression of miR‐155 and miR‐126 in situ in cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma

Recently, miR‐155 has been implicated in cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL). Thus, elevated levels of miR‐155 were observed in skin lesions from CTCL patients as judged from qPCR and micro‐array analysis and aberrant, high miR‐155 expression was associated with severe disease. Moreover, miR‐155 promoted proliferation of malignant T cells in vitro. Little is, however, known about which cell types express miR‐155 in vivo in CTCL skin lesions. Here, we study miR‐155 expression using in situ hybridization (ISH) with a miR‐155 probe, a negative control (scrambled), and a miR‐126 probe as a positive control in nine patients with mycosis fungoides, the most frequent subtype of CTCL. We provide evidence that both malignant and non‐malignant T cells stain weakly to moderately positive with the miR‐155 probe, but generally negative with the miR‐126 and negative control probes. Reversely, endothelial cells stain positive for miR‐126 and negative for miR‐155 and the control probe. Solitary T cells with a malignant morphology display brighter staining with the miR‐155 probe. Taken together, our findings suggest that both malignant and non‐malignant T cells express miR‐155 in situ in CTCL. Moreover, they indicate heterogeneity in miR‐155 expression among malignant T cells.
Numerical investigations of separation-induced transition on high-lift low-pressure turbine using RANS and LES methods

At low Reynolds numbers, laminar-turbulent transition occurs on the suction side of high-lift low-pressure turbine blades. The prediction of this flow is an important step in low-pressure turbine design. Thus, the laminar-turbulent transition must be modeled or resolved. The flow around the high-lift low-pressure turbine blade T106C is predicted using Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations, without and with transition model, and large-eddy simulations (LES). LES are performed in order to predict the laminar separation bubble (LSB) without any laminar-turbulent transition modeling. Only two Reynolds numbers are investigated with LES, and the current study concerns also the validation of the turbulent random flow generation technique of Smirnov et al. Reynolds number and freestream turbulence effects are studied using the analysis of the unsteady behavior of the separated shear layer and the bubble. The steady flow predicted by RANS simulation with transition model and by the time-averaged LES are in good agreement with isentropic Mach number distribution at mid-span, except for the lowest Reynolds number (Re2is = 80,000). For this last case, the separation and transition points are predicted downstream of the experimental points. The spectral analysis of LES results at different locations allows determining specific frequencies of physical mechanisms. LES are able to predict LSB over the high-lift low-pressure turbine blade T106C as RANS simulation with transition model and to capture the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability which is the cause of the transition mechanism.
Pathogen Loading From Canada Geese Faeces in Freshwater: Potential Risks to Human Health Through Recreational Water Exposure

Canada geese (Branta canadensis) faeces have been shown to contain pathogenic protozoa and bacteria in numerous studies over the past 15 years. Further, increases in both the Canada geese populations and their ideal habitat requirements in the United States (US) translate to a greater presence of these human pathogens in public areas, such as recreational freshwater beaches. Combining these factors, the potential health risk posed by Canada geese faeces at freshwater beaches presents an emerging public health issue that warrants further study. Here, literature concerning human pathogens in Canada geese faeces is reviewed and the potential impacts these pathogens may have on human health are discussed. Pathogens of potential concern include Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Helicobacter canadensis, Arcobacter spp. , Enterohemorragic Escherichia coli pathogenic strains, Chlamydia psitacci, Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia. Scenarios presenting potential exposure to pathogens eluted from faeces include bathers swimming in lakes, children playing with wet and dry sand impacted by geese droppings and other common recreational activities associated with public beaches. Recent recreational water‐associated disease outbreaks in the US support the plausibility for some of these pathogens, including Cryptosporidium spp. and C. jejuni, to cause human illness in this setting. In view of these findings and the uncertainties associated with the real health risk posed by Canada geese faecal pathogens to users of freshwater lakes, it is recommended that beach managers use microbial source tracking and conduct a quantitative microbial risk assessment to analyse the local impact of Canada geese on microbial water quality during their decision‐making process in beach and watershed management.
Understanding Fee Structures in the Asset Management Business

This paper considers the economic role of fees in aligning the incentives of money managers with those of investors. We examine a simple model in which manager effort (or investment in human and physical capital) is observed by the investor prior to her investment decision, but is not verifiable. This setup creates a positive economic role for net asset value (NAV) as a contracting variable and thus provides an explanation for the widespread use of contracts based on NAV in both the mutual and hedge fund industries. We also provide an explanation for why hedge funds use asymmetric performance fees while mutual funds typically charge a fixed fraction of NAV (even though 'fulcrum' performance fees are available).
Molecular Genetic Correlates of p16, cdk4, and pRb Immunohistochemistry in Glioblastomas

The vast majority of glioblastomas have CDKN2A, CDK4, or RB gene alterations that perturb the pl6-cdk4-pRb cell cycle regulatory cascade. To explore whether immunohistochemical methods provide an alternative means of assessing this pathway, we studied 25 glioblastomas using a combination of molecular genetic and immunohistochemical assays. Homozygous deletion of the CDKN2A gene was detected in 12 of 25 (48%) cases, CDK4 amplification in 4 of 25 (16%) tumors, and loss of heterozygosity at the RB gene in 8 of 22 (36%) informative cases. Five of 25 (20%) glioblastomas had diffuse pl6 immunohistochemical positivity. Significantly, all of these had either CDK4 amplification or RB LOH, suggesting that pl6 immunopositivity only occurs in those tumors with alterations of another component in the pathway. Nineteen (76%) cases were uniformly immunonegative for pl6, and 12 (48%) had CDKN2A homozygous deletions, but the remaining 7 cases lacked CDKN2A deletions, mutations and promoter methylation. All glioblastomas stained diffusely for cdk4, irrespective of CDK4 gene amplification status. Extensive pRb staining was present in most cases that maintained both RB alleles, and absent in most cases with RB loss, but there were notable discrepancies. Thus, pi6 and pRb immunohistochemistry cannot replace molecular genetic analysis of this critical regulatory cascade; instead, the combined results hint at complex regulation of this cell cycle checkpoint. From a practical point of view, although pl6 immunonegativity does not necessarily indicate CDKN2A deletion, diffuse positive p 16 immunostaining strongly suggests either CDK4 amplification or RB loss and excludes CDKN2A deletion.
Improving The Performance of Customer Loyalty of Online Ticketing in Indonesia's Showbiz Industry

Currently the entertainment industry is adopting online ticketing for supporting business from main products to profitability improvement. E-loyalty needs to be examined because are deals with less loyal customer characteristic. The sample are 249 customers whom have purchased for tickets online at least once. Data was gathered by questionnaires and analyzed by Path Analysis and Importance - Performance Analysis. The findings of the research indicate that satisfaction has the strongest relationship to e-loyalty. This study provides four improvement alternatives as a form of new business development strategy for showbiz industry in Indonesia.
Adaptive Fuzzy Robust Output Feedback Control of Nonlinear Systems With Unknown Dead Zones Based on a Small-Gain Approach

In this paper, an adaptive fuzzy robust output feedback control problem is considered for a class of single-input and single-output nonlinear systems in a strict-feedback form. The considered systems possess the unstructured uncertainties, unknown dead zone, and the dynamics uncertainties, and they do not assume the states being available for the controller design. In the controller design, fuzzy logic systems are first used to approximate the unstructured uncertainties, and by utilizing the information of the bounds of the dead-zone slopes and treating the time-varying inputs coefficients as a system uncertainty, a fuzzy state observer is designed to estimate the unmeasured states. By combining a backstepping technique with a nonlinear small-gain approach, a new adaptive fuzzy robust output feedback control has been developed. It is proved that the proposed fuzzy adaptive control approach can guarantee the semiglobal uniform ultimate boundedness for all the solutions of the closed-loop systems. Simulation studies and comparisons with previous methods are included to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.