Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the role of the ubiquitin-like DWNN domain intargeting Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 6 to nuclear speckles

Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 6 (RBBP6) is a 200 KDa protein shown to play a role in 3'- polyadenylation of mRNA transcripts, as well as to function as an E3 ligase catalysing ubiquitination of cancer-associated proteins. RBBP6 has been previously reported to localise to nuclear speckles, which are thought to play a role in mRNA splicing, presumably as a result of its RS domain, which is known to target mRNA splicing factors to nuclear speckles. However recent studies in our laboratory have shown that isoform 3 of RBBP6, consisting mainly of the DWNN domain, also localises to speckles in resting cells, but more strongly in cells subjected to various stresses, suggesting that the DWNN domain may be the speckle-targeting domain.
Plasma-assisted catalysis for ammonia synthesis in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor: key surface reaction steps and potential causes of low energy yield

Ammonia synthesis experiments were carried out in a coaxial dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor packed with several different supports and metal catalysts. There was a marked increase in the reaction rate, over that obtained in an empty DBD plasma reactor, upon introduction of a packed bed of γ-Al2O3, Ru/γ-Al2O3, or SiO2 particles. The difference in the reaction rates over γ-Al2O3 and Ru/γ-Al2O3 was minimal. Complementary zero-dimensional plasma kinetic model analysis was also performed using inputs from experimental data. This kinetic analysis allowed for gas phase reactions, Eley–Rideal (E–R) reactions, and direct adsorption of radical species on the γ-Al2O3 surface. On the metal surface, dissociative adsorption of N2 and H2, and Langmuir–Hinshelwood reactions were also included. This analysis revealed that, under the conditions of our experiments, ammonia synthesis proceeds principally by the formation of reactive radicals in the gas phase, which then adsorb and participate in E–R reactions on both the metal and support material surfaces. This finding illustrates a challenge for substantially increasing the energy yield for plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis in typical DBD reactors containing packed catalyst beads.
Mutations and Nucleotide Changes Relating to Mutations in GLIS 3

Department of Paediatric Endocrinology (P.D.), Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield S10 2TH, United Kingdom; Paediatric Department (A.M.H.), Prince Mohamed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, National Guard Health Authority, Al-Madinah, Riyadh 14214, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Ankara Pediatric Hematology Oncology Education and Training Hospital (F.G.), Ankara, Turkey; Diabetes Clinical Research Centre (A.M.), Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Derriford PL6 8DH, United Kingdom; Department of Paediatrics (S.W.), Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD9 6RJ, United Kingdom; Paediatric Department (K.M.), Maternity and Children Hospital, Jeddah 23342, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Education and Research Hospital (T.A.), 34303 Küçükçekmece, Istanbul, Turkey; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology (D.T.), Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201; Department of Paediatrics (J.J.), Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington 98431; Institute for Human Genetics (A.S.), University of California, San Francisco, California 94143; Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (J.K.H.W.), Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia; Department of Paediatrics (A.S.), Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny NP7 7EG, Wales, United Kingdom; Department of Paediatrics (D.H.), Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport NP20 2UB Wales, United Kingdom; and Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science (A.T.H., S.E., E.D.F.), University of Exeter Medical School, EX2 5DW, United Kingdom
Automatic identification of irregular rock blocks from 3D point cloud data of rock surface

The block size is an important index for determining the integrity of rock masses, as well as the evidence for estimating the rock mass classification. However, obtaining the block size information of exposed rock is a time-consuming, labor-intensive and high risk work. This paper proposed a new method to automatically identify the rock block and calculate the block size based on the 3D point cloud data of rock surface. The proposed method includes four steps: (1) automatic identification of rock discontinuity and extraction of information based on several machine learning algorithms, (2) Rough extraction of block discontinuities combination by distance filtering and angle filtering, (3) accurate identification and extraction of blocks by applying mutual projection of centroid and adding angle repair coefficient, (4) calculation of block size by filling in the concavity outline of point cloud for single block. An automatically statistic and analyzed program is compiled by matlab language based on massive point cloud of block information. The method is applied in controllable boxes model and real road cut slope, making comparison with the results of former research and calculated results by specialized point cloud processing software. It reveals that the proposed method is applicable with high calculating accuracy and efficiency.
Compatibilization of Isotactic Polypropylene (iPP) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) with iPP–PE Multiblock Copolymers

A series of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and polyethylene (PE) diblock, tetrablock, and hexablock copolymers (BCPs) were synthesized with tunable molecular weights using a hafnium pyridylamine catalyst. The BCPs were melt blended with 70 wt % high-density PE (HDPE) and 30 wt % iPP commercial homopolymers at concentrations between 0.2 and 5 wt %. The resulting blend morphologies were investigated using TEM, revealing uniformly dispersed iPP droplets ranging progressively in size with increasing BCP content from three-quarters to one-quarter of the diameter of the uncompatibilized mixture. Tensile tests revealed a dramatic enhancement in toughness based on the strain at break which increased from 10% for the unmodified blend to more than 300% with just 0.2 wt % BCP and over 500% with the addition of 0.5 wt % BCP or greater. Incorporation of BCPs in blends also improved the impact toughness, doubling the Izod impact strength to a level comparable to the neat HDPE with just 1 wt % additive. These improved bl.
Numerical simulation of damage characteristics of jointed rock under blasting load

In nature, rock masses are often accompanied by joints and weak interlayers. Due to the existence of joints, rock masses are characterized by anisotropy. When the rock mass is excavated by the blasting method, the joints and situ stresses have a great influence on the propagation of the explosion stress wave and the propagation of cracks. In this paper, a two-dimensional finite element model is used to calculate the damage and cracking of jointed rocks under blasting load. Results have shown that the angle between borehole and joint can affect the development of rock crack, and the propagation of stress wave can be suppressed. In addition, it has been verified that initial stress field and its magnitudes of major principal stresses affect the development of the crack zone around the borehole.
Susceptibility assessment of debris flow from Baoxing River basin in Lushan earthquake zone, China

As one of the prevalent natural disasters, debris flow often occurs in mountainous areas and causes severe property losses. This study primarily focuses on describing the spatial distribution of debris flow in the Baoxing River basin in the Lushan earthquake zone, Sichuan Province, and then a susceptibility index map. Geographic information systems (GIS) and certainty factor (CF) method were used to establish the relationship between debris flow sub-basins and six predisposing parameters: elevation, slope angle, slope aspect, geologic periods, lithology, and NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index). The results show that elevations above 2400m, slopes from 20° to 45°, slope aspects of east, south-east, and south, geologic periods of Sinian, Ordovician, and Carboniferous, NDVIs of -1 to 0.2, lithology areas such as pyroclastic and carbonate of sedimentary rock, and metamorphic rock containing mafic and magnesian are the special conditions that cause debris flows. Furthermore, it has higher susceptibility potential for the combination of topography and geological parameters, including these predisposing parameters of elevation, slope angle, slope aspect, geologic periods, and lithology, than other combinations. The debris flow susceptibility assessment results show that the moderate and above susceptibility area accounts for around 94% of the total basin area or 51.5% of the study area; more than half of the study area is debris flow-prone, indicating that debris flows are quite active in the study area.
Impact of the hole orientation of asymmetric GEM foils on the performance of single and triple GEM detectors

The Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) foil is an amplification stage that has been introduced to overcome the problem of discharges observed in gaseous detectors. There are two major production techniques of GEM foils: double-mask and single-mask etching. Despite being an effective method, an asymmetry is observed between the top and bottom diameters of GEM holes in single mask technique compared to double mask one. In this paper we describe extensive simulations and measurements to study this hole asymmetry and its effect on the performance of GEM based detectors. The experimental data is collected using GEM foils of various hole geometries and orientations. In simulations, the same dimensions are used to study the properties of the detector. Simulations are performed with the Garfield++ simulation package along with ANSYS for creating the geometry of the GEM foils as well as the triple-GEM detector and the meshing needed for the field calculations. The simulation results match the observations from experimental studies. The gains measured with single and triple-GEM detectors are lower if asymmetric foils are oriented with the smaller diameters towards the readout plane. Detailed simulation of the amplification and collection steps indicates that the lower gain is attributed to a loss of electrons at the GEM3 foil for the first time.
Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and genotoxicity potentials of the fractions of Archidium ohioense (Schimp. Ex Mull) extract

This study evaluated red blood cell (rbc) membrane stabilization and albumin denaturation, xanthine oxidase and lipoxygenase inhibitory activities of n-hexane (Hex), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), butanol (BuOH) and aqueous (Aq) fractions of Archidium ohioense methanolic extract using standard procedures. Diclofenac was used as a positive control for both rbc membrane stabilization and albumin denaturation studies while allopurinol and ascorbic acid respectively were used as positive control for xanthine oxidase and lipoxygenase inhibition measurements. Furthermore, genotoxic effect of the two most active fractions of the extract (EtOAc and DCM) on Allium cepa meristematic cells was investigated. Results showed that all the fractions inhibited heat-induced bovine serum albumin denaturation activity with the EtOAc and DCM fractions exhibiting better inhibitory activity than other fractions. Also, all the fractions except aqueous fraction compared favourably with the diclofenac (maximum stability of 86.94±0.00%) and protected stressed erythrocyte membrane at various concentrations tested. The maximum percentage erythrocyte stabilities were 97.39±0.00, 96.23±0.00, 91.85±0.00, 87.71±0.00 and 23.93±0.01% for A. ohioense EtOAc, DCM, n-Hex, BuOH and Aq fractions, respectively. It was observed that EtOAc fraction, DCM fraction and ascorbic acid inhibited lipoxygenase activity by 70.00±2.36, 75.00±1.67, and 62.50±8.84% respectively while 71.67±3.54, 50.00±0.00 and 77.50±1.76% of xanthine oxidase inhibition were elicited by EtOAc fraction, DCM fraction and allopurinol respectively. EtOAc and DCM fractions showed significant reduction in mitotic index and root lengths of Allium cepa at higher concentrations. Also, sticky chromosomes were observed for EtOAc (300 μg/ml) and DCM (300 -350 μg/ml) fractions. It was concluded that A. ohioense plant possesses antiinflammatory potential with the EtOAc and DCM fractions demonstrating very strong anti-inflammatory activity and compare favourably with standard reference drug (diclofenac). However, these fractions inhibited cell division of A. cepa cells at higher concentration. Keywords: Archidium ohioense , Lipoxygenase, Xanthine oxidase, Allium cepa , Genotoxicity, Mitotic index
Minimization of shielding effectiveness of energy saving windows in WiFi frequency range

We investigated the dependence of shielding effectiveness of energy saving double-glazed windows on their longitudinal dimensions (thickness of metalized and uncoated glass panes and the gap between them) both experimentally and theoretically. It was shown that by changing the longitudinal dimension of the window the minimum of shielding effectiveness could be shifted to the desirable frequency range. Applying this approach to the WiFi frequency range we demonstrated that shielding effectiveness can be decreased by 7–9 dB for the 2.4 GHz WiFi connection and by 14–17 dB for the 5 GHz connection in comparison with that of an ordinary energy saving double-glazed window. Theoretical considerations have been confirmed by experimental investigation of the dependence of shielding effectiveness on the gap between glass panes.
DEM investigation of the creep behavior of methane hydrate-bearing sand

In this paper, the creep behavior of cemented methane hydrate-bearing sand is studied using discrete element model. Methane hydrate is modeled as contact bonds between particles, and the time-dependent bond strength method is adopted to simulate the creep procedure. The simulation results are in good agreement with laboratory test results, i.e., the creep of methane hydrate-bearing sands exhibits deceleration and acceleration phase, and strain rate is larger with higher deviator stress levels. Furthermore, the micro evolutions including bond breakage and shear band formation are revealed with the DEM model.
OPG SOST OPG UCP 1 BDNF FNDC 5 ? ? ? ? ? ?

In 2002, a transmembrane protein—now known as FNDC5—was discovered and shown to be expressed in skeletal muscle, heart, and brain. It was virtually ignored for 10 years, until a study in 2012 proposed that, in response to exercise, the ectodomain of skeletal muscle FNDC5 was cleaved, traveled to white adipose tissue, and induced browning. The wasted energy of this browning raised the possibility that this myokine, named irisin, might mediate some beneficial effects of exercise. Since then, more than 1000 papers have been published exploring the roles of irisin. A major interest has been on adipose tissue and metabolism, following up the major proposal from 2012. Many studies correlating plasma irisin levels with physiological conditions have been questioned for using flawed assays for irisin concentration. However, experiments altering irisin levels by injecting recombinant irisin or by gene knockout are more promising. Recent discoveries have suggested potential roles of irisin in bone remodeling and in the brain, with effects potentially related to Alzheimer’s disease. We discuss some discrepancies between research groups and the mechanisms that are yet to be determined. Some important questions raised in the initial discovery of irisin, such as the role of the mutant start codon of human FNDC5 and the mechanism of ectodomain cleavage, remain to be answered. Apart from these specific questions, a promising new tool has been developed—mice with a global or tissue-specific knockout of FNDC5. In this review, we critically examine the current knowledge and delineate potential solutions to resolve existing ambiguities.
Individualistic CEO and Corporate Innovation: Evidence from U.S. Frontier Culture

This paper examines the relation between CEO’s individualistic cultural background and corporate innovation. Using hand-collected data on birthplaces of US-born CEOs, we provide robust evidence that CEOs born in frontier counties with a higher level of individualistic culture promote innovation performance. Firms led by such CEOs increase both quantity and quality of innovation outputs, measured by the number of patents, citation-weighted patents and the market value of patents. Besides innovation performance, we further show that CEO’s individualistic background causes a change in the innovation style, leading the firm to focus more on breakthrough innovation. Our extended analysis suggests that CEOs’ individualistic background promotes corporate innovation through building an innovation-orientated corporate culture and accumulating human capital by increasing the inflow of inventors.
The long-term effect of research grants on the scientific output of university professors

ABSTRACT A major source of research funding for university professors are competitive research grants. With focus on Luxembourg, we present results from a difference-in-difference analysis which show that research grants by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR), the central research funding agency in Luxembourg, increase the scientific output of university professors by 31% which corresponds to one additional publication. We further show that the scientific output drops again around five years after the grant receipt. We, however, find that those university professors who realise a quality increase of their journal publications in the years following the grant receipt benefit from a long-lasting publication quality effect.
Corporate Tax Cuts for Small Firms: What Do Firms Do?

What do small firms do when given an income tax cut? We address this question by examining the consequences of a sharp reduction in the corporate income tax rate for small- and micro-profit enterprises (SMPE) in China based on confidential tax returns. Utilizing the gradual increases in the qualifying threshold for SMPEs during 2010-2016, we find that newly qualified SMPEs with positive taxable income increased investment, interest expense and productivity. SMPEs in taxable losses did not respond to the tax cut. The tax cut induced more SMPEs to register, especially those in financially constrained sectors. Despite these positive effects, firms’ fixed asset growth slows down when they get closer to the SMPE threshold. Our study contributes to understanding the effect of tax preferences for small businesses.
Cash Holdings and Firm-Level Exposure to Epidemic Diseases

We study the effects of firm-level exposure to an epidemic disease on corporate cash holdings amongst U.S firms. Using a text-based measure of firm-level exposure to epidemic diseases and difference-in-difference estimation strategy, we document a positive relationship between the onset of an epidemic disease and corporate cash holdings. We find that, amongst all the recent epidemics, COVID-19 has the strongest impact on cash holdings and that this effect is mostly driven by negative sentiments around the COVID-19 pandemic.
Credit Misallocation and Disintermediation in China's Infrastructure Financing

This paper investigates how the institutional arrangement in China's financial market increase the cost of capital for underdeveloped areas. I show that fiscal capacity results in higher leverage but not superior profitability for local government financing vehicles. Infrastructure in fiscally strapped cities is more growth-enhancing, however, they can hardly access the low-interest bond market, and instead largely reckon on expensive bank loans. To raise a given amount of debt, a disadvantaged city would fork over anywhere from zero to five times more interest of what would cost a city with bond instruments. Such credit redlining spawns a vicious circle that results in a salient and persistent interregional inequality.
Fintech and Racial Barriers in Small Business Lending

Why are fintech lenders more popular among minority-owned businesses? We provide novel evidence on this question using a linked database on a national-wide restaurant sample from Yelp and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. We show that in a simple two-sided matching model, three distinct channels can lead to a higher fintech usage by minority borrowers: 1) differences in operational performance between minority and non-minority borrowers; 2) a smaller proportion of minority borrowers having lending relationships; 3) racial-dependent factors affecting the value of the borrower-lender matches. Empirically, we do not find consistent evidence on the first channel. We find supporting evidence for the second channel that minority-owned restaurants are less likely to have lending relationships and restaurants without lending relationships are more likely to use fintech lenders. We also find evidence supporting the third channel that minority-owned restaurants are more undervalued by traditional than fintech lenders. We further show that higher levels of business capital on the borrower side and a smaller geographic scope on the lender side can mitigate the racial gap in the value of the borrower-lender match. The results in 2021 become statistically insignificant, suggesting that racial disparities are largely reduced. We do not find a similar pattern for first-time bank participants, community development financial institutions, credit unions, or other non-federally insured lenders. Minority-owned businesses preferring faster loan approval also cannot explain the racial disparities we document. Overall, our results suggest that there are racial barriers in traditional loan distribution channels that can be at least partially addressed by fintech lenders.
Costly Multi-Unit Search

We formulate and solve a costly multi-unit search problem for the optimal selling of a stock of goods. Our showcase application is an inventory liquidation problem with fixed holding costs, such as warehousing, salaries or floor planning. A seller faces a stream of buyers periodically arriving with random capped demands. At each decision point, he decides how to price each unit and also whether to stop search or not. We set this as a dynamic programming problem and solve it inductively by characterizing optimal search rules and reservation prices. We show that combining multiple units with a fixed per period search cost might translate into non-monotone selling costs and reservation prices. This lack of monotonicity naturally leads to discontinuities of the pricing strategy. In particular, the seller optimally employs strategies such as bundling, and more sophisticated ones that endogenously combine purchase premiums, when inventory is large, with clearance sales and discounts, when inventory is low. Our model extends search theory by explicitly accounting for the effects of fixed costs on optimal multi-unit pricing strategies, pushing it into a richer class of problems and offering solutions that extend beyond optimal stopping rules.
AIDS Care: Psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV

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