Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PAT-seq: a method to study the integration of 3′-UTR dynamics with gene expression in the eukaryotic transcriptome

A major objective of systems biology is to quantitatively integrate multiple parameters from genome-wide measurements. To integrate gene expression with dynamics in poly(A) tail length and adenylation site, we developed a targeted next-generation sequencing approach, Poly(A)-Test RNA-sequencing. PAT-seq returns (i) digital gene expression, (ii) polyadenylation site/s, and (iii) the polyadenylation-state within and between eukaryotic transcriptomes. PAT-seq differs from previous 3′ focused RNA-seq methods in that it depends strictly on 3′ adenylation within total RNA samples and that the full-native poly(A) tail is included in the sequencing libraries. Here, total RNA samples from budding yeast cells were analyzed to identify the intersect between adenylation state and gene expression in response to loss of the major cytoplasmic deadenylase Ccr4. Furthermore, concordant changes to gene expression and adenylation-state were demonstrated in the classic Crabtree–Warburg metabolic shift. Because all polyadenylated RNA is interrogated by the approach, alternative adenylation sites, noncoding RNA and RNA-decay intermediates were also identified. Most important, the PAT-seq approach uses standard sequencing procedures, supports significant multiplexing, and thus replication and rigorous statistical analyses can for the first time be brought to the measure of 3′-UTR dynamics genome wide.
Management of patients receiving implantable cardiac defibrillator shocks: recommendations for acute and long-term patient management.

AF : Atrial fibrillation ATP : Antitachycardia pacing CRT : Cardiac resynchronization therapy EHRA : European Heart Rhythm Association ES : Electrical storm HRS : Heart Rhythm Society ICD : Implantable cardiac defibrillator SCD : Sudden cardiac death SSRI : Selective serotonin receptor inhibitor VF : Ventricular fibrillation VT : Ventricular tachycardia This expert consensus aims to provide guidance for the management of patients receiving one or multiple shocks from an ICD. The document expresses the view of a multidisciplinary group of experts in the fields of general adult cardiology, ICD treatment, invasive electrophysiology, and psychosomatic medicine. A variety of clinical settings, including emergency medicine, general cardiology, and interventional electrophysiology, are addressed as well as the different groups of clinicians involved in the care of these patients. To cover different levels of expertise in ICD treatment, it is intended to provide comprehensive information ranging from a basic explanation of how an ICD works to specialist advice for device programming. Almost 30 years after the first human implants, ICD therapy has become the treatment of choice in patients at risk of developing malignant ventricular arrhythmias.1,2 Accordingly, the number of patients implanted with an ICD has increased substantially over the past decade,3 mainly as a consequence of the expansion of ICD indications into the field of primary prevention of SCD in patients with decreased left ventricular function. In 2008, ∼120 000 patients received an ICD worldwide.3 As a result of the growing number of ICD patients, ICD-related problems are increasingly encountered and patients with one or multiple shocks are to day frequently seen at emergency departments, hospital wards, or ICD clinics. Therefore, personnel working in these environments should have specific knowledge concerning the management of ICD-related problems. Table 1 summarizes the most common causes of ICD shocks. Trials reported appropriate therapies in 17–64% of patients, whereas inappropriate shocks, most often caused by supraventricular tachycardia, occurred in 10–24%. 4 Among patients enrolled in primary prevention ICD trials, women experienced less appropriate ICD interventions than men.5 Modern device algorithms facilitate effective termination of VT without shock delivery by ATP, discrimination …
Assessment of the willingness to pay and determinants influencing the large consumers’ perspectives regarding the supply of premium green electricity in South Africa

Numerous studies have been conducted assessing the determinants influencing consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for a wide variety of products and services. However, there is no known study to determine the WTP of the large electricity consumers or the determinants influencing the large consumers’ perspectives regarding the supply of premium green electricity in South Africa. South Africa’s existing operational electricity-generating plants consist of various generating technologies; yet, coal-fired stations currently represent approximately 90 percent of Eskom’s total electricity-generating capacity. Because of climate change, limited natural resources, and the pollution footprint on the environment caused by fossil-fuelled power stations, it is essential for the focus to change towards cleaner electricity-generating technologies. When considering supply and demand constraints, the current cost for green electricity is higher than the cost for fossil fuels. For this reason, implementing renewable energy as the main source of electricity supply will require that consumers (especially large consumers) be willing to pay a premium for electricity generated from green electricity. Consequently, it is important to understand which aspects influence the WTP of large consumers. Previous research on residential consumers indicated that WTP is particularly influenced by attitudes towards environmental issues, towards one’s power supplier, perceptions of the evaluation of green energy by an individual’s social reference groups, and current electricity bill levels versus income. However, previous studies have failed to address the large consumers’ WTP a premium for green electricity. This research explored the different types of green electricity-generating technologies available, as well as the factors relating to green electricity production. An in-depth review was conducted on literature relating to the WTP theory, including consumer surplus and the meaning of value. In this study, an exploratory model was developed, which indicated the significance of various determinants on the large electricity users’ WTP for green electricity. This model was specifically developed to accommodate all the aspects relating to a unique South African electricity environment. The questionnaire used in this study, was rooted in current theoretical perspectives and previously-validated models. The exploratory model was analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The focus of this study was on the top 500 consumers that use approximately 90 percent of the total generated electricity in South Africa. The users were categorised into mining, industry, municipalities, and others. The quantitative data was obtained by using questionnaires completed by senior management of the large electricity consumers. Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za
Call Alternation Between Specific Pairs of Male Frogs Revealed by a Sound-Imaging Method in Their Natural Habitat

Male frogs vocalize calls to attract conspecific females as well as to announce their own territories to other male frogs. In the choruses, acoustic interaction allows the male frogs to alternate their calls with each other. Such call alternation is reported in various species of frogs including Japanese tree frogs (Hyla japonica). During call alternation, both male and female frogs are likely to discriminate calls of the male frogs because of small amount of call overlaps. Here, we show that call alternation is observed in natural choruses of male Japanese tree frogs especially between neighboring pairs. First, we demonstrate that caller positions and call timings can be estimated by a sound-imaging method. Second, the occurrence of call alternation is detected on the basis of statistical tests on phase differences of calls between respective pairs. Although our previous study revealed a global synchronization pattern in natural choruses of the male frogs, local chorus structures were not examined well. Through the observation of call alternation between specific pairs, this study suggests the existence of selective attention in the frog choruses.
Nonoperative Treatment of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries in Throwing Athletes *

Ulnar collateral ligament injury of the elbow in throwing athletes is a common occurrence, and either operative or nonoperative treatment is an option. The results of operative repairs and reconstructions have been well documented in the literature; however, little information has been reported on the outcome of nonoperative treatment. From 1994 to 1997, we evaluated 31 throwing athletes with ulnar collateral ligament injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine what percentage of athletes could return to their sport without surgical intervention and to identify factors that would predict return to full competition by an athlete treated nonoperatively. The factors studied included acute versus insidious onset of symptoms, the duration of symptoms before treatment, and age. Nonoperative treatment, which included a minimum of 3 months’ rest with rehabilitation exercises, allowed 42% of the athletes in our study (N 13) to return to their previous level of competition. Those who did return did so at an average of 24.5 weeks after diagnosis. No predictive findings obtained either through the patient's history or physical examination were found that would assist the clinician or athlete in predicting the success of nonoperative treatment.
Fragile External Phenotype of Modern Human Proximal Femur in Comparison with Medieval Bone

Proximal femur macroanatomy of 118 medieval and 67 contemporary adults, 84 contemporary elderly, and 48 contemporary hip fracture cases was evaluated. Within ∼1000 years, the femoral neck axis has become longer, and its cross‐section has become proportionally smaller and more oval in shape. These changes in the present external phenotype alone account for ∼50% higher fall‐induced stress compared with the medieval situation.
Quantitative optical coherence tomography angiography of macular vascular structure and foveal avascular zone in glaucoma

Objective The study aimed to evaluate the quantitative characteristics of the macular vessel density (VD) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in glaucoma using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Design Cross-sectional, age- and sex-matched case–control study. Methods Fifty-two eyes of 52 patients with primary open angle glaucoma and 52 eyes from 52 healthy participants were recruited retrospectively. OCT-A was performed on a 3 x 3-mm macular region centered on the fovea. OCT-A scans were manually graded to define the FAZ. Parafoveal VD in superficial and deep retina were analyzed in the circular- and quadrant-segmented zone. The FAZ parameters included size, perimeter, and circularity index. The regression analysis among VD and FAZ-related parameters and ocular parameters was performed, and the diagnostic ability was calculated with refractive error adjusted. Results For both groups, the mean age and the sex ratio was not different between groups. With refractive error adjusted, the average macular VD was lower in glaucoma than in the control group for superficial (P = 0.013), deep (P<0.001), and the whole retina (P = 0.002). There were increased FAZ perimeter and decreased FAZ circularity index in glaucoma when compared with controls (P<0.001). In the multivariate regression models, FAZ circularity index were significantly associated with decreased peripapillary RNFL thickness (P = 0.007) and macular GCIPL thickness (P = 0.009) measured by OCT. The refractive-error adjusted area under receiver operating characteristics was highest for FAZ circularity index (0.905; 95% CI, 0.844–0.966), followed by temporal deep retinal VD (0.870; 95% CI, 0.803–0.937) and FAZ perimeter (0.858; 95% CI, 0.784–0.932). Conclusions Decreased macular VD, increased FAZ perimeter, and decreased FAZ circularity index were observed in eyes with glaucoma using OCT-A. With refractive error adjusted, these parameters showed considerable diagnostic value for glaucoma. FAZ circularity index may be a novel biomarker representing disruption of the parafoveal capillary network in glaucoma, as supported by its association with structural parameters.
Mathematical Model and Agent Based Solution Approach for the Simultaneous Balancing and Sequencing of Mixed ‐ Model Parallel Two ‐ Sided Assembly

One of the key factors of a successfully implemented mixed-model line system is considering model sequencing problem as well as the line balancing problem. In the literature, there are many studies, which consider these two tightly interrelated problems individually. However, we integrate the model sequencing problem in the line balancing procedure to obtain a more efficient solution for the problem of Simultaneous Balancing and Sequencing of Mixed-Model Parallel Two-Sided Assembly Lines. A mathematical model is developed to present the problem and a novel agent based ant colony optimisation approach is proposed as the solution method. Different agents interact with each other to find a near optimal solution for the problem. Each ant selects a random behaviour from a predefined list of heuristics and builds a solution using this behaviour as a local search rule along with the pheromone value. Different cycle times are allowed for different two-sided lines located in parallel to each other and this yields a complex problem where different production cycles need to be considered to build a feasible solution. The performance of the proposed approach is tested through a set of test cases. Experimental results indicate that considering model sequencing problem with the line balancing problem together helps minimise line length and total number of required workstations. Also, it is found that the proposed approach outperforms other three heuristics tested.
Knowledge, Attitude and Utilization of Preventive Measures Against Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV Among Positive Pregnant Women in Teaching Hospitals in Rivers State

This study investigated the knowledge, attitude and utilization of preventive measures against motherto-child transmission of HIV among positive pregnant women in teaching hospitals in Rivers State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional research design was used for this study with a sample size of 238 which was selected using the simple random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.81. Data was analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, and simple regression at 0.05 alpha level. The findings of this study show that the level of knowledge of PMMTCT was high as majority (92.9%) of the respondents were knowledgeable about PMMTCT and also have a positive attitude towards it ( = 3.03±0.72). The finding of the study also showed that 50.7% had adequate utilization of PMMTCT. There was a statistically significant high positive relationship between the utilization of PMMTCT and both knowledge of PMMTCT (r = 0.968; p<0.05) and attitude towards PMMTCT (r = 0.983; p<0.05). The study concluded that, the level of utilization of PMMTCT is not in commensurate with the knowledge and attitude towards PMMTCT exhibited by the HIV positive mother. It was recommended that, the management of the tertiary health institutions should strategize more measures to improve the quality of services rendered to women on PMMTCT.
Validation of a pediatric asthma caregiver diary.

BACKGROUND Young children are generally not able to consistently and reliably perform tests of airway function, and normative values are not available. Reliable and valid measures of parental reporting of asthma symptoms and functioning are needed to determine the efficacy of asthma interventions. OBJECTIVE A pediatric asthma caregiver diary was developed and validated for use in interventional asthma studies. METHODS A 3-week prospective study of 125 caregiver parents and their children, aged 2 to 5 years, with persistent asthma was conducted. At baseline, children were classified as either stable (no change to anti-inflammatory therapy) or unstable (anti-inflammatory therapy added or increased). RESULTS A symptom scale and day without asthma symptoms (DWAS) were defined from pediatric asthma caregiver diary questions. The scale and DWAS statistically differentiated between the stable and unstable groups at week 1 and detected change between the 2 groups (P <.01). On average, caregivers reported low symptom scores. However, the frequency of DWAS was only 43% of days in the stable group and 22% in the unstable group. CONCLUSION The pediatric asthma caregiver diary scale and DWAS have acceptable measurement characteristics for use in clinical trials of children with asthma symptoms. The DWAS indicates an opportunity for improvement in asthma control in this population.
Relationship Between Credit Default Swaps, Direct Foreign Investments and Portfolio Investments: Time Series Analysis for Turkey

Foreign investors who come to the country receive credit default swaps which are an insurance against the possibility of failing to fulfill the obligations of the host country. The purpose of using this financial instrument is to provide protection against possible default situations. The higher the value of the credit default swap premium, it means that the risk of default is relatively high whereas the lower risk means that the default risk is relatively low. The purpose of this study is to analyze with ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model) Method Turkey's credit default swap premium for January 2005-September 2017 period and the long run and short run relationship between foreign direct investment and portfolio investments in Turkey. According to the results of the study, there is no long run and short run relationship between credit default swaps and foreign direct investments in Turkey; The presence of a long run and short run relationship with portfolio investments has been identified. Key words: Credit Default Swap, Foreign Direct Investments, Portfolio Investments, Time Series Analysis, ARDL Method
How Can Governments Tackle Consumption Tax Evasion? Shedding Light on the Antecedents of Consumer Attitudes and Intentions

ABSTRACT Governments around the globe have been trying to find ways to curtail consumption tax evasion, which can be initiated by either a supplier or a consumer. Yet researchers have only recently revealed an interest in this phenomenon from the consumer’s point of view. To provide public-sector marketers with tools to address this pressing issue, we propose a conceptual model that links moral obligation, materialism, and perceived importance of an ethical issue with attitudes and intentions of consumers to evade consumption tax. The hypotheses are tested on a sample of Slovenian consumers with structural equation modelling. The analysis confirms the influence of perceived importance of an ethical issue on attitudes, while moral obligation and attitudes are significant predictors of intentions. Based on these findings, various implications for marketers in the public sector are discussed.
Taxes and Risk in Financial Markets: A Separation Result

Two important factors in determining how investors select portfolios and how asset prices and returns are determined are taxes and risk. Absent risk, the effect of taxes has been captured by models that assume the existence of tax clienteles and characterize implicit taxes contained in the equilibrium returns of securities as a consequence of arbitrage by marginal clienteles. Absent taxes, the effect of risk has been captured by models in which arbitrage by risk averse investors leads to risk premia linearly related to economy-wide risk factors. When both risk and taxes are present, they interact in complex ways that eliminate the clean results obtainable when each characteristic is considered in isolation. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the effects of taxes and risk on asset prices and returns can be linearly separated under the realistic assumption that there exists a parsimonious set of index futures contracts that spans the non-diversifiable risk factors in asset prices. The key implication of this separation is that under relatively weak assumptions, researchers can validly consider either taxes or risk in isolation, as if the other does not exist.
Enteropathogenic and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli deliver a novel effector called Cif, which blocks cell cycle G2/M transition

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) are closely related pathogens. Both use a type III secretion system (TTSS) encoded by the ‘locus of enterocyte effacement’ (LEE) to subvert and attach to epithelial cells through the injection of a repertoire of effector molecules. Here, we report the identification of a new TTSS translocated effector molecule called Cif, which blocks cell cycle G2/M transition and induces the formation of stress fibres through the recruitment of focal adhesions. Cif is not encoded by the LEE but by a lambdoid prophage present in EPEC and EHEC. A cif mutant causes localized effacement of microvilli and intimately attaches to the host cell surface, but is defective in the ability to block mitosis. When expressed in TTSS competent LEE‐positive pathogens, Cif is injected into the infected epithelial cells. These cells arrested at the G2/M phase displayed accumulation of inactive phosphorylated Cdk1. In conclusion, Cif is a new member of a growing family of bacterial cyclomodulins that subvert the host eukaryotic cell cycle.
Neurochemical and connectional organization of the dorsal pulvinar complex in monkeys

To investigate the organization of the dorsal pulvinar complex, patterns of neurochemical staining were correlated with cortico‐pulvinar connections in macaques (Macaca mulatta). Three major neurochemical subdivisions of the dorsal pulvinar were identified by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry, as well as immunostaining for calbindin‐D28K and parvalbumin. The dorsal lateral pulvinar nucleus (PLd) was defined on histochemical criteria as a distinct AChE‐ and parvalbumin‐dense, calbindin‐poor wedge that was found to continue caudally along the dorsolateral edge of the pulvinar to within 1 mm of its caudal pole. The ventromedial border of neurochemical PLd with the rest of the dorsal pulvinar, termed the medial pulvinar (PM), was sharply defined. Overall, PM was lighter than PLd for AChE and parvalbumin and displayed lateral (PMl) and medial (PMm) histochemical divisions. PMm contained a central “oval” (PMm‐c) that stained darker for AChE and parvalbumin than the surrounding region. The neurochemically defined PLd was labeled by tracer injections in the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex but not the superior temporal gyrus (STG). Label within PMl was found after prefrontal and IPL and, to a lesser extent, after STG injections. The PMm was labeled after injections of the IPL and STG, but only sparsely following prefrontal injections. The histochemically distinct subregion or module of PMm, PMm‐c, was labeled only by STG injections. Overlapping labeling was found in dorsal pulvinar divisions PMl and PLd following paired IPL/prefrontal, but not IPL/STG or these particular STG/prefrontal, injections. Thus, PLd may be a visuospatially related region whereas PM appears to contain several types of territories, some related to visual or auditory inputs, and others that receive directly converging input from posterior parietal and prefrontal cortex and may participate in a distributed cortical network concerned with visuospatial functions. J. Comp. Neurol. 419:61–86, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.