Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial DNA Assessment to Determine Oocyte and Embryo Viability

Abstract Mitochondria are the key regulators of multiple vital cellular processes, including apoptosis, calcium homeostasis, and the generation of ATP via the metabolic pathway known as oxidative phosphorylation. Unlike other cellular organelles, mitochondria contain one or more copies of their own genome (mtDNA). The mtDNA encodes a total of 13 genes with critical functions in cellular metabolism. The energy required to support the normal progress of preimplantation embryo development is provided in the form of ATP generated by the mitochondria. It has been suggested that cellular bioenergetic capacity and suboptimal levels of mitochondria-generated ATP could contribute to a variety of embryo developmental defects, and therefore adversely affect in vitro fertilization success rates. During this review, we discuss the role of mitochondria and their genome during oogenesis and early embryo development. We also assess whether analysis of mitochondria and their genome could be used as biomarkers to determine oocyte quality and embryo viability.
Corneal biomechanical metrics in eyes with refraction of -19.00 to +9.00 D in healthy Brazilian patients.

PURPOSE To evaluate corneal biomechanical metrics with tomographic parameters (given by the Oculus Pentacam) and refractive data in a population of healthy Brazilian patients. METHODS Observational, cross-sectional study of 150 consecutive patients (53 men and 97 women; 260 eyes). Age, gender, central keratometric readings (central K), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), spherical equivalent refraction, corneal hysteresis, and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were assessed and analyzed. RESULTS Mean patient age was 46.5+/-21.04 years, average central K was 43.59+/-1.54 diopters (D), CCT was 545.05+/-35.41 microm, ACD was 2.96+/-0.52 mm, spherical equivalent refraction was -1.16+/-3.48 D, corneal hysteresis was 10.17+/-1.82, and CRF was 10.14+/-1.8 (range: 5.45 to 15.1). Mean CRF and corneal hysteresis were distinct among gender: CRF 10.326 in women and 9.810 in men (P=.0266); corneal hysteresis 10.421 in women and 9.727 in men (P=.0031). A negative correlation was found between both CRF and corneal hysteresis with age (r=-0.1255, P=.0434; and r=-0.2445, P=.0001, respectively). No association was found between CRF and average central K (r=0.0633, P=.3086), ACD (r=-0.0474, P=.4498), or spherical equivalent refraction (r=0.1028, P=.1061). Corneal hysteresis was not associated with age and average central K (r=0.0572, P=.3573), ACD (r=0.0060, P=.9236), or spherical equivalent refraction (r=0.0975, P=.1253). Corneal resistance factor and corneal hysteresis were positively associated with CCT (r=0.5760, P=0; and r=0.4655, P=0, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Corneal biomechanical metrics of healthy Brazilian patients were associated with CCT, gender, and age. Corneal steepness, ACD, and spherical equivalent refraction did not affect comeal hysteresis and CRF values in the studied population.
Surface flow dynamics within an exposed wind-driven bay: Combined HF radar observations and model simulations

In this study, observations from a high-frequency radar (HFR) deployment are combined with numerical model simulations to investigate the relative contributions of surface current forcing. A tidal decomposition of the relevant datasets was applied by fitting the flow profile to a finite set of sinusoids at specific frequencies related to astronomical parameters. The resultant time-series pair comprised tidal harmonic constituents and residuals composed of primarily wind-driven surface flows. Complex correlation coefficients between these data and both numerical simulations and winds were used to further investigate both bay dynamics and numerical model performance. Results of analysis demonstrate good agreement between HFR and model data, particularly for tidal harmonics. Analysis of wind driven surface currents illustrate the complex nature of flow dynamics and the many factors requiring consideration.
Cost allocation and risk management in renewable electricity networks

As part of the efforts to mitigate climate change, there has been rapidly increasing share of renewable power generation in the European electricity system. In the interest of bridging the gap between corporate and academic research interests, this PhD project presents a research collaboration on renewable electricity systems between Aarhus University and the energy trading company Danske Commodities. The first part of this dissertation has the perspective of a central planner exploring the optimal system design based on simplified fundamental models of the European electricity system. The aim is to determine the optimal locations and capacities of renewable generation sources while keeping the system reliable and cost-efficient. A subsequent step is to allocate the costs associated with the investments needed for the optimal electricity system of the future. I apply power flow tracing techniques for allocation of transmission system usage, cost allocation of generation capacities as well as consumption-based carbon accounting. In the second part, the perspective is changed to that of individual investors in renewable generation technologies, specifically wind turbines. I apply econometric models in the form of copulas to jointly model wind power production and power spot price. The goal is for an energy trading company to minimize the risk associated with long-term wind power purchase agreements, which, in turn, minimizes the risk of investors in these wind turbines. This provides additional incentives for similar investments and thereby increasing the share of renewable power generation in the European electricity system. Applying physical and financial models to different aspects of the European electricity system has led to insights on the differences between the two modeling perspectives. The central planning perspective is useful when exploring pragmatic solutions to the overall design of the European electricity system of the future, but provides no guidance for the individual actors in the system. In contrast, an investor in renewable generating assets focuses on a set of business goals with little regard to their impact on the overall electricity system. The link between the two perspectives is the policy makers, who regulate the electricity system. The results from system models using the central planning perspective can be used by the policy makers as guidelines to provide the right incentives for investors, and other actors in the system, such that the current European electricity system develops towards the optimal and sustainable system of the future.
Discussion of "Revisiting the Energy-Momentum Method for Rating Vertical Sluice Gates under Submerged Flow Conditions"

The discussers really appreciated the efforts to make more solid some usual assumptions used to derive reliable stage-discharge relationships, and the confrontation with field measurements. Energy and momentum equations are generally applied in their standard form, as presented in most hydraulic engineering books. The authors are right to point out that some of these assumptions are simplistic, which introduces biases in the derived relationships. Velocity distribution is one of these assumptions, and trying to improve this distribution is commendable. Head loss is another crucial issue, especially for submerged gates where the presence of the roller above the jet induced large dissipation. The authors also neglected the friction forces and assumed that contraction coefficient (Cc) is the same in submerged flow as in free flow. This assumption was questioned by Henderson (1989), and Belaud et al. (2009) showed how to derive a continuous relationship for Cc between low submergence (Cc about 0.61) and fully open gate (Cc ¼ 1). For submerged gates, there have been a limited number of experimental studies that explored the validity of the most sensitive assumptions. Compared to free flow, much more phenomena need to be quantified, such as head loss due to jet–roller interaction, velocity distributions at the contracted section and downstream measuring section, friction forces between these two sections. The effect of submergence introduces another dimension when trying to elaborate generic relationships. As the practical objectives are to obtain accurate discharge predictions, a common approach is to calibrate corrections using measured discharges, water levels, and openings. This may not be sufficient to validate physically based improvements since several phenomena compensate for each other. The pioneer experimental works used by the authors provided very useful data sets to perform this analysis. This discussion is based on recent experimental and numerical results presented by Cassan and Belaud (2012). Experiments used acoustic Doppler velocimetry at selected locations, for three configurations in free flow and three in submerged flow. Computational fluid dynamics was used in complement, with the objective to interpolate flow characteristics between measuring points and to explore other configurations than those measured. Experiments were essential to verify the validity of the numerical results, based on Reynolds–Average Navier–Stokes simulations with the volume-of-fluid method and Reynolds stress model as turbulence closure model. Notations are those of the discussed paper.
A critical appraisal of "chronic Lyme disease".

“Chronic Lyme disease” is often used to explain persistent pain, fatigue, and neurocognitive symptoms in patients without any evidence of previous acute Lyme disease. Once this diagnosis is given, prolonged treatment with multiple antimicrobial agents may follow. This review examines the scientific evidence for chronic borrelia infection and explains the approach to clinical evaluation and management in patients with a diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease.
Medical and non‐medical barriers to outpatient treatment of fever and neutropenia in children with cancer

A number of clinical trials have employed clinical criteria that can identify pediatric patients at low‐risk for complicated episodes of fever and neutropenia (F&N) and have successfully treated low‐risk patients in the outpatient setting. Despite this, inpatient management remains the standard of care. This trial tested the hypothesis that a strategy of initial hospitalization followed by continuation of therapy in the outpatient setting could be practically implemented in the majority of episodes.
Effect Of Organizational Learning And Innovation On Competitive Advantage Of Higher Education In Padang City

This study aims to analyze: (1) the influence of organizational learning on competitive advantage is mediated by the innovation of universities in Padang City. This type of research is a descriptive causative approach. This research was carried out in a study program at a university in Padang City. The populations in this study were all study programs throughout universities, both state universities and private universities in the city of Padang. The sample used is 100 study programs at university colleges with Probability Sampling technique with the sampling method using Stratified Proportionate Random Sampling type of the data in this study are primary and secondary data. Data were collected through questionnaires and Analyzed using the SmartPLS version 3.0 programs.
The Effects of Information Asymmetry, Earning Management, Voluntary Disclosure and Market Value of Equity on Cost of Equity Capital

This study aims to examine the effect and prove that (1) the higher of the information asymmetry, the higher of the cost of equity capital, (2) the higher of the earning management caused the higher of the cost of equity capital, (3) the higher of the voluntary disclosure caused the lower of the cost of equity capital and (4) the higher of the market value of equity caused the lower of the cost of equity capital. This research was conducted in the manufacturing companies sector listed on Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) in 2012-2014. This study used a purposive sampling method for getting sample. The data were analyzed using Multiple Linear Regression Analysis with one-tailed test with SPSS 22.0 program. The results show that market value of equity were statistically supported or hypothesis accepted. While the information asymmetry, earning management and voluntary disclosure were not statistically supported, although the information asymmetry had a significant effect but the hypothesized results were different so the hypothesis remains rejected.
Processing of intermediates in recombination and DNA repair: identification of a new endonuclease that specifically cleaves Holliday junctions.

The formation and subsequent resolution of Holliday junctions are critical stages in recombination. We describe a new Escherichia coli endonuclease that resolves Holliday intermediates by junction cleavage. The 14 kDa Rus protein binds DNA containing a synthetic four‐way junction (X‐DNA) and introduces symmetrical cuts in two strands to give nicked duplex products. Rus also processes Holliday intermediates made by RecA into products that are characteristic of junction resolution. The cleavage activity on X‐DNA is remarkably similar to that of RuvC. Both proteins preferentially cut the same two strands at the same location. Increased expression of Rus suppresses the DNA repair and recombination defects of ruvA, ruvB and ruvC mutants. We conclude that all ruv strains are defective in junction cleavage, and discuss pathways for Holliday junction resolution by RuvAB, RuvC, RecG and Rus.
Cross-linking of the carcinoembryonic antigen-like glycoproteins CD66 and CD67 induces neutrophil aggregation.

The carcinoembryonic Ag (CEA)-like glycoproteins present on human granulocytes have been designated non-specific cross-reacting Ag (NCA). We have recently demonstrated that granulocyte-specific CD66 and CD67 mAb recognize the three originally described NCA. CD66 binds to NCA-160 and NCA-90, whereas CD67 only recognizes NCA-95. As we have shown previously, NCA-160 and NCA-90 present sialylated Lewis-X oligosaccharide Ag (SLex) in a functional way, i.e., these Ag function as (one of many possible) molecules involved in neutrophil binding to the adhesion molecule E-selectin expressed on activated endothelial cells. In this study, we found that a polyclonal anti-CEA antiserum, either as intact Ig or as F(ab')2 fragments, induced neutrophil aggregation. This aggregation response was blocked by CD18 mAb. Neutrophils from a patient severely affected by paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria completely lacked expression of NCA-95 and NCA-90. The patient's neutrophils repeatedly showed no aggregation on addition of the anti-CEA antiserum. Thus, the presence of the phosphatidylinositol-linked NCA-95/90 seems to be essential for NCA-induced neutrophil activation. Our data indicate that NCA molecules on neutrophils may function via binding to E-selection or an as yet unknown ligand (as mimicked here by an antiserum) and subsequently induce CD18-dependent adhesive properties.
Reading First Sustainability

This study addresses research questions designed to determine the impact and sustainability of the literacy skills students achieved by participating in the Reading First program in first, second, and third grade in a Northern Nevada urban school district elementary setting. A t-test compared 449 Reading First students’ ELA mean Scale Scores from the Nevada CRT to a comparative group of 621 students who did not participate in the Reading First program. Two sub-groups of student were also compared: 100 students with an IEP and 234 English language learners. Student CRT scores were compared at the third, fourth, fifth and sixth grade level. In addition, cohort groups from Reading First SY10, SY11 and SY12 were analyzed to determine if sustained implementation of the program impacted ELA achievement across years in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth grade. Finally, the three Reading First schools in the study were compared to one another at each grade level to assess if there were differences among the schools. The results indicated all groups of students at the third grade level achieved higher CRT ELA mean Scale Scores when compared to their peers at the Non-Reading First schools. The non-disaggregated group demonstrated no significant differences between Reading First and Non-Reading First students at the fourth and fifth grade level. The English language learners consistently achieved mathematically higher mean Scale Scores at all grade levels. The fourth through sixth grade English language learners who participated in the Reading First program demonstrated no significant difference compared to the Non-Reading First students. The Reading First students with an IEP
Cooperative Enterprises and Sustainable Development in Post-Crisis Nepal: A Social Responsibility Perspective on Women’s Employment and Empowerment

Abstract The economic growth and women’s empowerment nexus features prominently within United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDGs). While the gendered view of inclusive economic opportunities has received significant attention in recent years, the gap between men and women in developing countries remains significant. Under the assumption that there are fertile prospects to bridge social responsibility and SDGs judiciously, this chapter explores the question: ‘what insights into women’s employment and empowerment can be generated from the state of cooperative enterprises in Nepal? ’ The focus is on aspects of women’s employment and empowerment under goal 8, which promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. Learning from the Nepalese experiences, the chapter contends that cooperative enterprise social responsibility (CESR) needs to be approached as the vital link between the internal and the external interests of cooperatives to achieve SDGs.
The Effects of Leverage Ratio Adjustment on Banks' Balance Sheets: Impact of the Risk Measurement Approach

We examine the effects of the recently introduced regulatory leverage ratio, which aims to backstop existing risk-weighted capital requirements, on banks’ balance sheets. We observe on average a deleveraging process, while banks simultaneously increase their risk-weighted assets. Facing less regulatory leeway banks applying the standard approach are more inclined to raise capital in order to adjust the leverage ratio upwards. This implies that such banks become more stable as intended by policy makers. In contrast, the need to raise capital is significantly less pronounced for banks using internal models, which stronger reduce the total exposure measure.
Preferred structures in large-scale circulation and the effect of doubling greenhouse gas concentration in HadCM3

: Preferred structures in the surface pressure variability are investigated in and compared between two 100-year simulations of the Hadley Centre climate model HadCM3. In the ﬁrst (control) simulation, the model is forced with pre-industrial carbon dioxide concentration (1 × CO 2 ) and in the second simulation the model is forced with doubled CO 2 concentration (2 × CO 2 ). Daily winter (December–January–February) surface pressures over the Northern Hemisphere are analysed. The identiﬁcation of preferred patterns is addressed using multivariate mixture models. For the control simulation, two signiﬁcant ﬂow regimes are obtained at 5% and 2.5% signiﬁcance levels within the state space spanned by the leading two principal components. They show a high pressure centre over the North Paciﬁc/Aleutian Islands associated with a low pressure centre over the North Atlantic, and its reverse. For the 2 × CO 2 simulation, no such behaviour is obtained. At higher-dimensional state space, ﬂow patterns are obtained from both simulations. They are found to be signiﬁcant at the 1% level for the control simulation and at the 2.5% level for the 2 × CO 2 simulation. Hence under CO 2 doubling, regime behaviour in the large-scale wave dynamics weakens. Doubling greenhouse gas concentration affects both the frequency of occurrence of regimes and also the pattern structures. The less frequent regime becomes ampliﬁed and the more frequent regime weakens. The largest change is observed over the Paciﬁc where a signiﬁcant deepening of the Aleutian low is obtained under CO 2 doubling. Copyright  2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Gender differences in financial well-being among college students

Financial satisfaction and its impact on the quality of life have received considerable attention in recent decades. A large number of studies have attempted to identify the dimensions of financial well-being and financial behavior among various groups in relation to the development of personal financial well-being. The majority of studies on personal financial satisfaction and financial behavior among adolescents reveal notable sex differences. There is evidence that men and women's perceptions differ and that they are not necessarily only influenced by economic factors, but also by social and psychological issues. To identify gender differences in financial well-being, this study focuses on the perceived financial well-being of Malaysian college students. This study was carried out under (IRPA) funding. Data were collected from students in public and private Malaysian universities. The multi stage stratified random sampling technique was used. A total of 11 universities were randomly selected for the study and 350 questionnaires were distributed to students through the student affairs section of the respective university. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Financial well-being was measured by a six-item scale. The students were asked to rate those six items on a scale of one (not satisfied at all) to nine (very satisfied). The items statements include the amount of saving, financial situation, ability to purchase, saving for emergency expenses, skill to manage money, and ability to spend. The results revealed that there were significant gender differences among Malaysian college students concerning financial matters. The results indicate that Malaysian female students have a significantly higher level of financial satisfaction compared to male students. Female students have a lower level of financial knowledge and late age financial socialization compared to male students. The results showed that primary socialization agents were the strongest predictor of financial well-being among male students while financial problems were the strongest predictor among female students. Mediation analysis confirmed the mediation effect of financial problems in the association between predictors and financial well-being.