Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Further Evidence for the Utility of Electrophysiological Methods for the Detection of Subclinical Stage Retinal and Optic Nerve Involvement in Diabetes

Objective: To assess the utility of visual electrophysiological methods, visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and pattern electroretinograms (PERGs) were recorded for the detection of subclinical optic nerve and retinal involvement in patients with diabetes mellitus. Subjects and Methods: The data of 63 patients (126 eyes) with no vascular retinopathy or optic neuropathy were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into polyneuropathic/nonpolyneuropathic groups to differentiate between early and late subclinical stages. The recorded parameters were compared with local reference values. Results: 116 eyes (92%) had VEP and 76 (60%) had PERG abnormalities. The most frequent alteration was latency delay, but waveform and amplitude irregularities were also observed. The simultaneous use of the two methods allowed us to differentiate abnormal VEPs of purely optic nerve origin from those reflecting retinal involvement. Conclusions: We suggest that regular electrophysiological screening should receive more attention in the ophthalmological care of diabetic patients.
An Activity, Stability and Selectivity Comparison of Propioin Synthesis by Thiamine Diphosphate‐Dependent Enzymes in a Solid/Gas Bioreactor

Enzymatic carboligation in a solid/gas bioreactor represents a new challenge in biotechnology. In this paper, the continuous gas‐phase production of propioin from two propanal molecules by using thiamine diphosphate‐dependent enzymes was studied. Two enzymes were used, namely benzaldehyde lyase (BAL) from Pseudomonas fluorescens and benzoylformate decarboxylase (BFD) from Pseudomonas putida. The enzymes are homologous and catalyze carboligase and carbolyase reactions in which no external cofactor regeneration is needed. The influence of water and substrate activity on the initial reaction rate and biocatalyst stability was investigated. An increase in water activity raised the initial reaction rates to the maximal values of 250 and 80 U g−1 for BAL and BFD, respectively. The half‐life showed the same trend with maximal values of 50 and 78 min for BAL and BFD, respectively. The increase in the half‐life by increasing water activity was unexpected. It was also observed that BFD is more stable than BAL in the presence of the substrate propanal. Both enzymes showed substrate inhibition in the kinetic studies, and BAL was also deactivated during the reaction. Unexpectedly, the stereoselectivity of both enzymes (ee of 19 % for BAL and racemic mixture for BFD) was significantly impaired in the gas phase compared to the liquid phase.
Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks: Acquisition or Accumulation of Resources?

This study examines the tradeoffs between accumulating resources internally and acquiring resources in strategic factor markets. In the labor market context, I consider the performance implications of external hiring and internal development of human capital resources in a panel study of 3,033 Danish manufacturing firms. The study provides empirical evidence that hiring experienced workers is unprofitable, whereas building human capital resources internally is. Building human capital resources successfully appears in part to be conditional on a certain amount of on the job screening.
The impact of improved access to market information through mobile phones usage on selling prices : Evidence from rural areas in Cambodia

Monopsony is often observed in local agricultural markets in developing countries because of the high entry cost to buyers; farmers in such markets therefore sell their agricultural products at a lower price. However, this situation seems to be changing with the diffusion of mobile phones. This paper investigates how access to market information through mobile phone usage impacts the selling price of rice in rural areas in Cambodia. We conducted a survey of farmers f households concerning agricultural production processes and rice sales in 20 villages in four provinces (Battambang, Prey Veng, Pursat, and Takeo). We find that farmers who have access to market information through the use of mobile phones are more likely to sell their rice at a higher price. In addition, we observe that the offers received by farmers with better access to market information through mobile phone usage tend to affect selling prices. The results imply that improved access to market information through the use of mobile phones improves farmers f bargaining power against traders, enabling them to sell their rice at a higher price.
Inferring Polymorphism-Induced Regulatory Gene Networks Active in Human Lymphocyte Cell Lines by Weighted Linear Mixed Model Analysis of Multiple RNA-Seq Datasets

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) contribute to the between-individual expression variation of many genes. A regulatory (trait-associated) SNP is usually located near or within a (host) gene, possibly influencing the gene’s transcription or/and post-transcriptional modification. But its targets may also include genes that are physically farther away from it. A heuristic explanation of such multiple-target interferences is that the host gene transfers the SNP genotypic effects to the distant gene(s) by a transcriptional or signaling cascade. These connections between the host genes (regulators) and the distant genes (targets) make the genetic analysis of gene expression traits a promising approach for identifying unknown regulatory relationships. In this study, through a mixed model analysis of multi-source digital expression profiling for 140 human lymphocyte cell lines (LCLs) and the genotypes distributed by the international HapMap project, we identified 45 thousands of potential SNP-induced regulatory relationships among genes (the significance level for the underlying associations between expression traits and SNP genotypes was set at FDR < 0.01). We grouped the identified relationships into four classes (paradigms) according to the two different mechanisms by which the regulatory SNPs affect their cis- and trans- regulated genes, modifying mRNA level or altering transcript splicing patterns. We further organized the relationships in each class into a set of network modules with the cis- regulated genes as hubs. We found that the target genes in a network module were often characterized by significant functional similarity, and the distributions of the target genes in three out of the four networks roughly resemble a power-law, a typical pattern of gene networks obtained from mutation experiments. By two case studies, we also demonstrated that significant biological insights can be inferred from the identified network modules.
Technology‐enabled service delivery: An investigation of reasons affecting customer adoption and rejection

The use of technology to enable or facilitate the delivery of services has the potential to benefit customers and service providers alike. Correspondingly, however, the purposes to which technology is put, and the manner in which it is used, also has the potential to disenfranchise customers. Therefore the operational desirability and gains of any employment of technology to facilitate service provision should be balanced against the perceptions and behavioural response of customers. Our research aims to shed light on the reasons why customers adopt or reject technologically facilitated means of service delivery, and to develop a means by which likely adoption or rejection may be predicted. The research we have undertaken to date suggests that adoption or rejection of technologically facilitated services is moderated by the personal capacity and willingness of individuals.
Identification of genes and proteins associated with anagen wool growth

Identifying genes of major effect for wool growth would offer strategies for improving the quality and increasing the yield of fine wool. In this study, we employed the Agilent Sheep Gene Expression Microarray and proteomic technology to investigate the gene expression patterns of body side skin (more wool growing) in Aohan fine wool sheep (a Chinese indigenous breed) in comparison with groin skin (no wool growing) at the anagen stage of the wool follicle. A microarray study revealed that 4772 probes were differentially expressed, including 2071 upregulated and 2701 downregulated probes, in the comparisons of body side skin vs. groin skin (S/G). The microarray results were verified by means of quantitative PCR. A total of 1099 probes were assigned to unique genes/transcripts. The number of distinct genes/transcripts (annotated) was 926, of which 352 were upregulated and 574 were downregulated. In S/G, 13 genes were upregulated by more than 10 fold, whereas 60 genes were downregulated by more than 10 fold. Further analysis revealed that the majority of the genes possibly related to the wool growth could be assigned to categories including regulation of cell division, intermediate filament, cytoskeletal part and growth factor activity. Several potential gene families may participate in hair growth regulation, including fibroblast growth factors, transforming growth factor-β, WNTs, insulin-like growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factors and so on. Proteomic analysis also revealed 196 differentially expressed protein points, of which 121 were identified as single protein points.
The Efficiency of the Informal Sector on the Search and Matching Framework

This paper analyzes efficiency in an economy with an informal sector that consists of unregulated self-employment, and where there are no costs of being informal, (Albrecht et al. (2009)). First, assuming workers in the formal sector are ex-ante heterogeneous, I show that this type of economy is inefficient. Second, I identify the optimal policies the government can implement, where the informal sector is unobserved (or search effort is unobserved). Allowing the government to use different policies such as social security payment, severance payment, formal tax, and job creation subsidy, I show that the government cannot affect worker’s behavior by using severance and social security payments because of the risk neutrality assumption (Lazear (1990)). However, it can achieve an efficient allocation through a tax-credit policy. This result is interesting since it can guide the way in which social security programs can be implemented in developing countries, where in general social protection programs are assumed to subsidize informal activities.
Role of Neo-Adjuvant Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is a tumour characterized by the production of osteoid by malignant cells. The incidence is approximately 1 to 3 million/year. The incidence is slightly higher in males. Onset can occur at any age; however, primary high grade osteosarcoma usually occurs in the second decade of life. Historically patients with osteosarcoma were treated with immediate wide or radical amputation. Despite the treatment, 80% patients with apparently isolated disease died of distant metastases. In recent years the number of patients with osteosarcoma of the limb treated by amputation + chemotherapy has increased. In our study, we divided the patients into two groups. One group (A) was treated with amputation + adjuvant chemotherapy. The other group (B) was treated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy + amputation followed by adjuvant-chemotherapy. In our study, the margin negativity in post surgical specimen was significantly higher (P-value 0.0007) for the group treated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Local recurrence in the group treated without neoadjuvant chemotherapy was significantly more (P-value 0.0005). The systemic recurrence at the end of 6 months was higher the group treated without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P-value 0.0169). However systemic recurrence between 6 months -1 year and 1 year - 2 years were not significant(P-values 0.1501 and 0.4902). From the above figures it may be concluded that treatment with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy + amputation + adjuvant chemotherapy had definite advantages over upfront amputation + adjuvant chemotherapy. )
The effect of multinationality on management earnings forecasts

The Effect of Multinationality on Management Earnings Forecasts. (May 2005) Bruce Wayne Runyan, B. S. ; B.S., University of Arkansas at Monticello; M.B.A., University of North Texas Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. L. Murphy Smith This study examines the relationship between a firm’s degree of multinationality and its managers’ earnings forecasts. Firms with a high degree of multinationality are subject to greater uncertainty regarding earnings forecasts due to the additional risk resulting from the more complex multinational environment. Prior research demonstrates that firms that fail to meet or beat market expectations experience disproportionate market losses at earnings announcement dates. The complexities and greater uncertainty resulting from higher levels of multinationality are expected to be negatively associated with management earnings forecast precision, accuracy, and bias (downward versus upward). Results of the study are mixed. Regarding forecast precision, two measures of multinationality (foreign sales / total sales and the number of geographic segments) are significantly negatively related to management earnings forecast precision. This was the expected relationship. Regarding forecast accuracy, contrary to expectations, forecast accuracy is positively related to multinationality, with regard to the number of geographic segments a firm discloses. Regarding forecast bias, unexpectedly, two measures of multinationality (foreign sales / total sales and number of countries with
The Context of the Possible IFRS for SMEs Implementation in Romania: An Exploratory Study

The latest result of the IASB’s efforts to increase the comparability of accounting information seems to be the IFRS for SMEs. The aim of this paper is in this context to offer insights on some issues associated to a possible implementation of IFRS for SMEs in Romania. We extensively review the relevant literature in order to discuss the problems with the conceptual foundation of the standard, such as the concept of SMEs, users and their needs. We also use a mixture of interviews and textual analysis in order to identify potential distortions in the application of the IFRS for SMEs in Romania. The analysis of the current regulation in Romania (OMFP 1752) vs. IFRS (for SMEs) shows that there are still many inconsistencies in our current legislation, both on conceptual and normative level. This is even more emphasized by accounting practice, as it turns out from the interviews undertaken.
Prognostic Prediction in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

With most solid tumors, the estimation of life expectancy is related to tumor stage at diagnosis and staging is directly linked to treatment indication. By contrast, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) the prediction of prognosis is more complex. There is no worldwide consensus on the use of any HCC staging system. Classifications that take into account only one of the relevant prognostic parameters, such as tumor, nodes, and metastasis (TNM) or Child-Pugh staging, are useless. Several scoring systems have been developed, but unfortunately their major capacity is to identify end-stage patients and they do not link staging with therapy. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system was developed according to the results of cohort studies and randomized clinical trials. It considers tumor stage, liver functional status, physical status, and cancer-related symptoms and, by dividing patients into early, intermediate, advanced, and end-stage categories, provides a link to treatment indication.
Penicillin acylases revisited: importance beyond their industrial utility

Abstract It is of great importance to study the physiological roles of enzymes in nature; however, in some cases, it is not easily apparent. Penicillin acylases are pharmaceutically important enzymes that cleave the acyl side chains of penicillins, thus paving the way for production of newer semi-synthetic antibiotics. They are classified according to the type of penicillin (G or V) that they preferentially hydrolyze. Penicillin acylases are also used in the resolution of racemic mixtures and peptide synthesis. However, it is rather unfortunate that the focus on the use of penicillin acylases for industrial applications has stolen the spotlight from the study of the importance of these enzymes in natural metabolism. The penicillin acylases, so far characterized from different organisms, show differences in their structural nature and substrate spectrum. These enzymes are also closely related to the bacterial signalling phenomenon, quorum sensing, as detailed in this review. This review details studies on biochemical and structural characteristics of recently discovered penicillin acylases. We also attempt to organize the available insights into the possible in vivo role of penicillin acylases and related enzymes and emphasize the need to refocus research efforts in this direction.
Substorm triggering by new plasma intrusion: Incoherent‐scatter radar observations

Received 4 December 2009; revised 16 March 2010; accepted 30 March 2010; published 27 July 2010. [1] In the companion paper, we identified a repeatable sequence of events leading to substorm onset in THEMIS all‐sky imager observations: enhanced flows bring new plasma into the plasma sheet. The new plasma then moves earthward as a flow channel, bringing it to the near‐Earth plasma sheet and where it produces onset instability. New plasma entering the dusk (dawn) convection cell drifts equatorward and eastward and then around the Harang reversal, leading to pre‐midnight (near‐ and post‐midnight) onset. Here we present evidence supporting this sequence using incoherent scatter radar (ISR) ionospheric observations. Using the Sondrestrom ISR, we find that enhanced flows of new plasma commonly enter the plasma sheet from the polar cap ∼8 min prior to onset. These flows are related to poleward boundary intensification signatures, consistent with the inferences from the imagers. Using the Poker Flat ISR (PFISR), we find that shortly before onset, enhanced westward flows reach the subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) region equatorward of the Harang reversal (dusk‐cell onsets) or enhanced eastward flows enter the onset region from the poleward direction (dawn‐cell onset). PFISR proton precipitation signatures are consistent with the possibility that the enhanced flows consist of reduced‐entropy plasma sheet plasma, and that onset occurs poleward of much of the enhanced SAPS flow (dusk‐cell onsets) or equatorward of the enhanced eastward flows (dawn‐cell onsets). Consistency with reduced entropy plasma is seen only within the enhanced flows, leading us to suggest that intrusion of low‐entropy plasma may alter the radial gradient of entropy toward onset instability.
Personality, Drug Preference, Drug Use, and Drug Availability

This study examined the relationship between drug preference, drug use, drug availability, and personality among individuals (n = 100) in treatment for substance abuse in an effort to replicate the results of an earlier study (Feldman, Kumar, Angelini, Pekala, & Porter, 2007) designed to test prediction derived from Eysenck's (1957, 1967) theories. Drug preference was measured by the method of paired-comparison and personality was measured with the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire-50 CC. Contrary to expectations, high compared with low scorers on Sociability and Impulsive-Sensation Seeking preferred depressants. Surprisingly, low compared with high scorers on neuroticism did not differ in preference for alcohol. As in the previous study, drug preference, use, and availability were highly correlated, although ease of availability was slightly more predictive of drug use than drug preference. Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Nutrient fluxes from reduced Baltic Sea sediment : effects of oxygenation and macrobenthos

This thesis investigates how benthic fluxes of phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and silicon (Si) change upon oxygenation of anoxic soft bottoms in the brackish, eutrophicated Baltic Sea. Direct measurements in situ by benthic landers demonstrated that fluxes of dissolved inorganic P (DIP) from anoxic bottom sediments in the Eastern Gotland Basin are higher than previously thought (Paper I). It is argued that the benthic DIP flux has a much larger influence on the DIP inventory in the Baltic proper than the external sources. Similarly, benthic fluxes of DIP and dissolved inorganic N (DIN) from anoxic sediment in the coastal Kanholmsfjarden Basin, Stockholm archipelago, were sufficiently high to renew the pools of these nutrients below the upper mixed layer in roughly one year (Paper II). A natural inflow of oxygen rich water into the deep, and previously long-term anoxic part of Kanholmsfjarden Basin, increased the P content in the sediment by 65% and lowered DIP and dissolved silica (DSi) concentrations in the pore water. These changes, as well as the large increases in benthic effluxes of these solutes following de-oxygenation of the bottom water, suggest that they are influenced similarly by changing oxygen conditions.Experimental results in papers III and IV show that common benthic macrofauna species in the Baltic Sea can stimulate benthic release of DIN and DSi, as well as dissolved organic and particulate bound nutrients. Thus, if benthic oxygen conditions would improve in the Baltic, initial effects on benthic–pelagic nutrient coupling will change due to animal colonisation of currently azoic soft bottoms.A new box corer was designed (Paper V) which can be used to obtain highly needed virtually undisturbed samples from soft bottom sediments – if lowered slowly and straight into the bottom strata – as demonstrated by in situ videography and turbidimetry. The commonly used USNEL box corer caused severe biasing during sediment collection.
Does Non-Informative Text Affect Investor Behavior?

This paper demonstrates that easily processed texts affect investor trading behavior even in the absence of any informational content. We focus on characteristics of stock tickers and show that stocks with tickers that are actual words in the English language are more liquid, as measured by higher turnover and trading volume, and lower spreads. The preference toward tickers that are words prevails among retail investors, but does not affect institutional investors. This is consistent with the explanation that ticker characteristics facilitate trading by improving the firm’s visibility among retail investors through channels of familiarity and memorization.
Competitive hierarchies, antibiosis, and the distribution of bacterial life history traits in a microbiome*

Microbiome manipulation requires an understanding of how species interact within communities. Can outcomes of ecological interactions be predicted from microbial life history traits, the identity of the species, or both? We addressed these questions by studying the competitive interaction network in a community of 40 endophytic Pseudomonas spp. bacterial isolates from a native plant. Pairwise competition experiments revealed competitive dominance of P. fluorescens over P. syringae strains within this microbiome-derived community. P. syringae strains with higher growth rates won more contests, while P. fluorescens strains with shorter lag times and lower growth rates won more contests. Adding to their competitive dominance, P. fluorescens strains often produced antibiotics to which few P. syringae strains were resistant. Many competitive outcomes among P. syringae strains were predicted to be reversed by P. fluorescens inhibitors because indirect benefits accrued to less competitive strains. P. fluorescens strains frequently changed competitive outcomes, suggesting a critical role of strains within this bacterial clade in structuring plant microbiome communities. Microbial traits also may provide a handle for directing the outcome of colonization processes within microbiomes.