Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Release Factors eRF1 and RF2

Class I release factors 1 and 2 (RF1 and RF2) terminate protein synthesis by recognizing stop codons on the mRNA via their conserved amino acid motifs (NIKS in eRF1 and SPF in RF2) and by the conserved tripeptide (GGQ) interactions with the ribosomal peptidyltransferase center. Crystal structures of eRF1 and RF2 do not fit their ribosomal binding pocket (∼73 Å). Cryoelectron microscopy indicates large conformational changes in the ribosome-bound RF2. Here, we investigate the conformational dynamics of the eRF1 and RF2 using molecular dynamics simulation, structural alignment, and electrostatic analysis of domain interactions. We show that relaxed eRF1 has a shape remarkably similar to the ribosome-bound RF2 observed by cryoelectron microscopy. The similarity between the two release factors is as good as between elongation factor G and elongation factor Tu-guanosine-5′(β,γ-imido)triphosphate-tRNA. Further, the conformational transitions and dynamics of eRF1 and RF2 between the free and ribosome-bound states are most likely controlled by protonation of conserved histidines. For eRF1, the distance between the NIKS and GGQ motifs shrinks from 97.5 Å in the crystal to 70–80 Å. For RF2, the separation between SPF and GGQ elongates from 32 Å in the crystal to 50 Å. Coulombic interaction strongly favors the open conformation of eRF1; however, solvation and histidine protonation modulate the domain interactions, making the closed conformation of eRF1 more accessible. Thus, RF1 and RF2 function like molecular machines, most likely fueled by histidine protonation. The unified conformational control and the shapes of eRF1 and RF2 support the proposition that the termination of protein synthesis involves similar mechanisms across species.
Antimicrobial activity of methylene blue and toluidine blue O covalently bound to a modified silicone polymer surface

Methylene Blue or Toluidine Blue O were covalently bound to an activated silicone polymer by means of an amide condensation reaction. UV-visible absorption spectra confirmed that the dye was surface bound. The new polymers with covalently attached dye display significant bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis with a 99.999% reduction in viable bacteria after four minutes exposure to a low power laser.
Corporate Governance Guidelines in Bangladesh: Some Observations

This paper discusses the likely impact of the revised Corporate Governance Guidelines issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Bangladesh on July 3, 2012. In so doing, it critically examines the changes made in the current guidelines from the one issued on February 20, 2006. It is found that a number of key changes are made in the guidelines; particularly in the areas of independent director requirements, board’s statements, CEO and CFO certifications on financial statements, subsidiary company governance, and reporting and compliance of corporate governance. However, the guidelines could be further improved; for example, by including provisions to ensure true independence of the board and its committees, minimum educational and professional service requirements for non-independent directors, and annual assessments of the board members. The lack of flexibility in the revised guidelines is likely to pose challenges to the listed firms when implementing the guidelines fully. On the part of market regulators, the key challenge will be to ensure enforcement of the regulation.
The Phytochrome-Interacting VASCULAR PLANT ONE–ZINC FINGER1 and VOZ2 Redundantly Regulate Flowering in Arabidopsis[C][W]

This work identifies VASCULAR PLANT ONE-ZINC FINGER1 and VOZ2 as phytochrome B–interacting proteins that act redundantly as floral regulators, translocating into the nucleus and mediating the initial steps of phytochrome B signaling to promote flowering. The timing of the transition to flowering in plants is regulated by various environmental factors, including daylength and light quality. Although the red/far-red photoreceptor phytochrome B (phyB) represses flowering by indirectly regulating the expression of a key flowering regulator, FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), the mechanism of phyB signaling for flowering is largely unknown. Here, we identified two Arabidopsis thaliana genes, VASCULAR PLANT ONE–ZINC FINGER1 (VOZ1) and VOZ2, which are highly conserved throughout land plant evolution, as phyB-interacting factors. voz1 voz2 double mutants, but neither single mutant, showed a late-flowering phenotype under long-day conditions, which indicated that VOZ1 and VOZ2 redundantly promote flowering. voz1 voz2 mutations suppressed the early-flowering phenotype of the phyB mutant, and FT expression was repressed in the voz1 voz2 mutant. Green fluorescent protein–VOZ2 signal was observed in the cytoplasm, and interaction of VOZ proteins with phyB was indicated to occur in the cytoplasm under far-red light. However, VOZ2 protein modified to localize constitutively in the nucleus promoted flowering. In addition, the stability of VOZ2 proteins in the nucleus was modulated by light quality in a phytochrome-dependent manner. We propose that partial translocation of VOZ proteins from the cytoplasm to the nucleus mediates the initial step of the phyB signal transduction pathway that regulates flowering.
The determinants of option adjusted delta credit spreads: A comparative analysis on US, UK and the Eurozone

We analyse the determinants of the variation of option adjusted credit spreads (OASs) on a unique database which enlarges the traditional scope of the analysis to more disaggregated indexes (combining industry, grade and maturity levels), new variables (volumes of sales and purchases of institutional investors) and a complete set of markets (beside US, UK and the Eurozone). With our extended set of regressors we explain almost half of the variability of OASs and we find evidence of the significant impact of institutional investors' purchases and sales on corporate bond risk. We also find that US business cycle indicators significantly affect the variability of OASs in the UK and in the Eurozone.
Cash Flow Management, Incentives, and Market Pricing

This study examines management of operating cash flows, its causes, and the market's reaction to such management. Applying a Burgstahler and Dichev (1997)/Degeorge et al. (1999) type methodology and the best-fitted distribution method, I find indications that managers take actions to report positive operating cash flows, avoid missing analyst cash flow forecasts, and meet the cash-dividend target. My results also indicate that certain firm characteristics are associated with the magnitude of cash flow management. The persistence test shows that the persistence of cash flows and earnings decreases with the increasing magnitude of abnormal cash flows. The Mishkin (1983) test results show that the market rationally anticipates the lower persistence of abnormal cash flows compared to normal cash flows, but it nevertheless underprices both components of cash flows.
Is More Less? The Impact of M&A and Diversification: Evidence from 2000-2010

v Introduction 1 Chapter 1: Overview of Mergers and Acquisitions 1.1: What is M&A? 4 1.2: M&A as Firm Strategies 5 1.2.1: Corporate Synergy 5 1.2.2: Market Correction Mechanism 8 1.2.3: Market Power 11 1.2.4: “Good Buy” and Stakeholder Expropriation 13 1.3: Stylized Facts Related to M&A 15 1.3.1: M&A Waves 15 1.3. 2: Decade Clusters 18 1.4: Valuation and Defenses 21 1.4. 1: Valuation Methods 21 1.4. 2: Defenses against M&A 25 Chapter 2: Overview of the Diversification Discount 2.1: Diversification as a Corporate Strategy 27 2.2: To What Extent is Value Created or Destroyed? 32 2.3: Decline in Diversification 35 2.4: Measuring the Effects of Diversification 37 Chapter 3: Empirical Strategies 3.1: Modeling the Diversification Discount 43
Photocatalytic degradation of bezacryl yellow in batch reactors – feasibility of the combination of photocatalysis and a biological treatment

A combined process coupling photocatalysis and a biological treatment was investigated for the removal of Bezacryl yellow (BZY), an industrial-use textile dye. Photocatalytic degradation experiments of BZY were carried out in two stirred reactors, operating in batch mode with internal or external irradiation. Two photocatalysts (TiO2P25 and TiO2PC500) were tested and the dye degradation was studied for different initial pollutant concentrations (10–117 mg L−1). A comparative study showed that the photocatalytic degradation led to the highest degradation and mineralization yields in a stirred reactor with internal irradiation in the presence of the P25 catalyst. Regardless of the photocatalyst, discoloration yields up to 99% were obtained for 10 and 20 mg L−1 dye concentrations in the reactor with internal irradiation. Moreover, the first-order kinetic and Langmuir–Hinshelwood models were examined by using the nonlinear method for different initial concentrations and showed that the two models lead to completely different predicted kinetics suggesting that they were completely different.According to the BOD5/ Chemical oxygen demand (COD) ratio, the non-treated solution (20 mg L−1 of BZY) was estimated as non-biodegradable. After photocatalytic pretreatment of bezacryl solution containing 20 mg/L of initial dye, the biodegradability test showed a BOD5/COD ratio of 0.5, which is above the limit of biodegradability (0.4). These results were promising regarding the feasibility of combining photocatalysis and biological mineralization for the removal of BZY.
Earnings persistence, value relevance, and earnings timeliness : the case of Thailand

This research aims to investigate the enhancement of accounting quality in Thailand after adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in its domestic accounting system. The accounting quality consists of three properties of earnings– earnings persistence, value relevance and earnings timeliness. This research examines the improvement of accounting quality after the IFRS adoption in Thailand by expanding the conditioning institutional factor to include the magnitude of book-tax differences. In addition, the relationship between the Thai accounting quality and firm governance systems is investigated. The results reveal that the accounting quality, including earnings persistence and value relevance, has been improved after the IFRS adoption in Thailand. The earnings timeliness is observed in Thai firms, but it has been declined after the IFRS adoption. The results also indicate that the improvement of accounting quality after the IFRS adoption in Thailand is varied according to the magnitude of book-tax differences. This research finds that the firm governance system is related to the improvement of accounting quality in Thai settings. This research concludes that the adoption of IFRS has generally improved accounting quality in Thailand. The book-tax difference contains significant information about accounting quality in Thai settings. And, the firm governance system plays an important role in accounting quality after the IFRS adoption in Thailand.
Public financial management

This concentration is designed for students wishing to understand the manner in which efforts to finance public sector activities affects public policy. Public finance provides a framework for understanding policy choices and the implications of program structural features within the context of economic responses of service populations, the general public, and policymakers. The concentration combines models of public sector economics, including mechanisms of public choice, service pricing, taxation and expenditure structures, with economic analytic frameworks to understand mechanisms available for influencing public behavior and likely outcomes of alternative tax, expenditure and regulatory policy options. Faculty advising on this concentration is provided by Professors Jocelyn Johnston and Daniel Mullins.
Thimble ionization chambers in medium-energy x-ray beams and the role of constructive details of the central electrode: Monte Carlo simulations and measurements

This paper presents investigations of thimble ionization chamber response in medium-energy kilovoltage x-ray beams (70–280 kVp, 0.09–3.40 mm Cu HVL). Two thimble ionization chambers (PTW30015 and PTW30016) were investigated, regarding the influence of the central electrode dimensions made of aluminum. Measurements were carried out in photon fields of different beam quality. Corresponding Monte Carlo simulations employing the EGSnrc Monte Carlo code system were performed. The simulations included the modelling of the x-ray tube and measurement setup for generation of x-ray spectra. These spectra were subsequently used to calculate the absorbed energy in the air cavity of the two thimble ionization chamber models and the air kerma at the reference point of the chambers. Measurements and simulations revealed an optimal diameter of the central electrode, concerning an almost energy-independent response of the ionizaton chamber. The Monte Carlo simulations are in good agreement with the measured values, expressed in beam quality correction factors kQ. The agreement was generally within 0.6% but could only be achieved with an accurate model of the central electrode including its exact shape. Otherwise, deviations up to 8.5% resulted, decreasing with higher photon energies, which can be addressed to the high yield of the photoelectric effect in the electrode material aluminum at low photon energies.
Promoting good governance : principles, practices and perspectives

Concepts and Issues Good Governance in the Public Sector - Promotion and Management of Productivity Accountability and Transparency in the Public Service Public and Private Sector Partnership Paradigm The Role of the State in Creating a Conducive Environment Public and Private Sector Values in Partnership Strengthening Teaching, Training and Management Development for the Public Services
FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System Use in Children With Type 1 Diabetes Using Glargine-Based Multiple Daily Dose Regimens

In a previous pilot study of the FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System, hereafter referred to as “Navigator,” in 30 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes using insulin pumps, we found that Navigator use averaged >130 h per week over 13 weeks and mean A1C level dropped from 7.1 ± 0.6 to 6.8 ± 0.7% ( P = 0.02) (1). The current study evaluated whether the Navigator was similarly tolerated over 13 weeks in 27 children aged 4–17 years with type 1 diabetes using glargine-based, multiple daily injection(MDI) insulin regimens. Subjects averaged >100 h/week of Navigator use. Mean A1C level fell from 7.9 ± 1.0% at baseline to 7.3 ± 0.9% at 13 weeks ( P = 0.004). High satisfaction with the Navigator was reported on the Continuous Glucose Monitor Satisfaction Scale. These encouraging pilot study results support the inclusion of MDI users in longer-term randomized clinical trials of continuous glucose monitors. Institutional review boards at each of the Diabetes Research in Children Network (DirecNet) centers approved the study protocol and consent/assent forms. Research methods were virtually identical to those employed in our previous Navigator (Abbott Diabetes Care; Alameda, CA) study (1) except that all subjects were treated with glargine-based MDI treatment. Other eligibility requirements were as follows: subjects must 1 ) be aged 3–17 years, 2 ) have type 1 diabetes for a duration ≥1 year, 3 ) have access to a home computer equipped with E-mail, and 4 ) have a parent/older subject who comprehended English. Subjects were excluded for asthma, cystic fibrosis, psychiatric disorder, and use of glucocorticoids. Subjects were selected for participation from the existing patient population at each center. There was a 1-week run-in period during which Navigator use was blinded to collect baseline glucose data, followed by unblinded home use for 3 months. To blind subjects to the results …
The relationship between Internet use and perceived performance in retail and professional service firms

lnformation technology (IT) and, in particular, the Internet is dramatically impacting on the services sector. This paper specifically investigates the relative impact of several forms of internet use on perceived performance for two groups of service organisations - retail service firms and professlonal health service firms. Using a mailed out self-administered questionnaire, 625 completed questionnaires were obtained and 43 per cent of respondents reported that they used the lternet. Thus the final usable sample in the study comprised 262 respondents. Results showed that the Internet does significantly influence perceived performance in both types of service firms. However,there are differences in the forms of lntemet use between the two service groups and their relative effect on performance. For retail firms, use of transactional function, such as ordering, selling and payment was found to be positively related to increases in perceived performance. In contrast, for professional health service firms, the ability to search for information on products and/or services was found to be positively associated with perceived performance. Finally, theoretical and managerial implications of the findings of this study are discussed.
Menstrual history and quality-of-life outcomes in women with node-positive breast cancer treated with adjuvant therapy on the NSABP B-30 trial.

PURPOSE Premenopausal women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy are at risk for amenorrhea. The National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-30 trial included menstrual history (MH) and quality-of-life (QOL) studies to compare treatments on these outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were randomly assigned to sequential doxorubicin (A) and cyclophosphamide (C) followed by docetaxel (T; AC→T), concurrent TAC, or AT, which varied in duration (24, 12, 12 weeks, respectively), and use of C. Endocrine therapy was prescribed for women with hormone receptor-positive tumors. MH and QOL were assessed with standardized questionnaires at baseline; cycle 4, day 1; and every 6 months through 24 months. Prespecified analyses examined rates of amenorrhea by treatment arm, the relationship between amenorrhea and QOL, and QOL by treatment arm. RESULTS Amenorrhea 12 months after random assignment was significantly different between treatment groups: 69.8% for AC→T, 57.7% for TAC, and 37.9% for AT (P < .001). The AT group without tamoxifen had the lowest rate of amenorrhea. QOL was poorer for patients receiving AC→T at 6 months but similar to others by 12 months. Post-treatment symptoms were increased above baseline for all treatments. Multivariable repeated measures modeling demonstrated that treatment arm, time point, age, and tamoxifen use were significantly associated with symptom severity (all P values < .002). CONCLUSION Amenorrhea rates differed significantly by treatment arm, with the AT arm having the lowest rate. Patients treated with longer duration therapy (AC→T) had greater symptom severity and poorer QOL at 6 months, but did not differ from shorter duration treatments at 12 months.
Single-dose Live Oral Cholera Vaccine CVD 103-HgR Protects Against Human Experimental Infection With Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor.

BACKGROUND No licensed cholera vaccine is presently available in the United States. Cholera vaccines available in other countries require 2 spaced doses. A single-dose cholera vaccine that can rapidly protect short-notice travelers to high-risk areas and help control explosive outbreaks where logistics render 2-dose immunization regimens impractical would be a major advance.PXVX0200, based on live attenuated Vibrio cholerae O1 classical Inaba vaccine strain CVD 103-HgR, elicits seroconversion of vibriocidal antibodies (a correlate of protection) within 10 days of a single oral dose. We investigated the protection conferred by this vaccine in a human cholera challenge model. METHODS Consenting healthy adult volunteers, 18-45 years old, were randomly allocated 1:1 to receive 1 oral dose of vaccine (approximately 5 × 10(8) colony-forming units [CFU]) or placebo in double-blind fashion. Volunteers ingested approximately 1 × 10(5) CFU of wild-type V. cholerae O1 El Tor Inaba strain N16961 10 days or 3 months after vaccination and were observed on an inpatient research ward for stool output measurement and management of hydration. RESULTS The vaccine was well tolerated, with no difference in adverse event frequency among 95 vaccinees vs 102 placebo recipients. The primary endpoint, moderate (≥3.0 L) to severe (≥5.0 L) diarrheal purge, occurred in 39 of 66 (59.1%) placebo controls but only 2 of 35 (5.7%) vaccinees at 10 days (vaccine efficacy, 90.3%; P < .0001) and 4 of 33 (12.1%) vaccinees at 3 months (vaccine efficacy, 79.5%; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS The significant vaccine efficacy documented 10 days and 3 months after 1 oral dose of PXVX0200 supports further development as a single-dose cholera vaccine. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT01895855.
Ownership, Corporate Governance and Liquidity in Caribbean Firms

This paper examines the relationship between ownership, corporate governance and liquidity in a Caribbean setting. Results show that firms with concentrated ownership are associated with lower liquidity. Further, the direction of the association depends on the identity of the largest shareholder. Specifically, firms with government, foreign holding companies and foreign institutions as the largest shareholder are less liquid. Although the second largest shareholding does not appear to matter to liquidity, there is some evidence showing that firms with foreign institutions as the second largest shareholder are less liquid. Corporate governance, however, is not related to liquidity.
Access to Public Capital Markets and Employment Growth

This paper investigates the importance of accessing public capital markets through an initial public offering (IPO), and the consequent relaxation of firms’ financial constraints, for firm-level long term employment decisions. We find that firms significantly increase post-IPO investment in human capital compared to the pre-IPO stage. To address endogeneity concerns, we use a novel dataset of private firms and compare employment growth of IPO firms with two different control groups: First, private firms that file for an IPO but eventually withdraw their offering due to exogenous market conditions, and second, a propensity score matched sample of private firms that never file for an IPO. Firms that complete the IPO process experience higher employment growth in the post-IPO period relative to each control group. Importantly, our results show that the most likely channel for the realization of higher employment growth is the relaxation of financial constraints, allowing the newly public firms to access both equity and debt markets for funding investment in human capital, and not only capital expansion. Overall, our results highlight the importance of public capital markets for job creation over long term horizons. JEL Classification: G32, G34.