Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rapid generation of novel models of RAG1 deficiency by CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutagenesis in murine zygotes

Mutations in the Recombination Activating Gene 1 (RAG1) can cause a wide variety of clinical and immunological phenotypes in humans, ranging from absence of T and B lymphocytes to occurrence of autoimmune manifestations associated with expansion of oligoclonal T cells and production of autoantibodies. Although the mechanisms underlying this phenotypic heterogeneity remain poorly understood, some genotype-phenotype correlations can be made. Currently, mouse models of Rag deficiency are restricted to RAG1−/− mice and to knock-in models carrying severe missense mutations. The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 system is a novel and powerful gene-editing strategy that permits targeted introduction of DNA double strand breaks with high efficiency through simultaneous delivery of the Cas9 endonuclease and a guide RNA (gRNA). Here, we report on CRISPR-based, single-step generation and characterization of mutant mouse models in which gene editing was attempted around residue 838 of RAG1, a region whose functional role had not been studied previously.
Organizational learning and systems of labor market regulation in Europe

This article establishes a link between international differences in the organization of work and modes of regulation of labor markets within Europe. The article operates with four forms of work organization (discretionary learning, lean production, Taylorism, and simple or traditional). Through a factor analysis three dimensions of national labor market systems (flexible security, passive security, and job support) are defined. Using a multi-level logistic regression model that takes into account both characteristics of individuals and of national labor market systems it is shown that there is a significant positive correlation between flexible security and the prevalence of discretionary learning. On this basis we point to an extension of flexible security in Europe's labor markets as an adequate response to the current crisis.
Dimensions of Shopping Preferences by Women in India and USA – A Cross Country Study

The growth in women's education and disposable income, has led to a consequent rise in affluence and spending habits among women across the globe. This study examines the shopping behaviour of women across India and in the USA using primary data collected from 300 respondents by surveys. The rationale and dimensions of shopping were analysed to elicit their views on shopping experience, frequency of shopping, shopping accompaniment and their favourite stores. The study revealed significant differences; country-wise, among the women across age, income and status. This paper also seeks to provide an insight into the shopping behaviour of women across India and the USA. The findings confirm that differences do exist in the shopping behaviour of the women. The study is giving a serious thought to the marketers on reaching the women across cultures, product segments, shopping patterns and preferences, in this era of growing affluence where the marketers need to respond without delivery time lag to the specialised needs and demands of the customers to ensure their existence.
Target Detection in Compound-Gaussian Clutter with Adaptive OFDM Radar

This paper mainly deals with the problem of target detection in compound-Gaussian clutter with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) radar. First, the OFDM measurement model is developed to compound-Gaussian clutter by taking advantage of frequency diversity of OFDM radar waveform and we devise a generalized likelihood rate test (GLRT) detector where the target scattering coefficients and clutter covariance matrix are unknown. Then, we propose an adaptive waveform design scheme based on maximizing Mahalanobis distance of the distributions under two hypothesises to improve the detection performance. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed detector as well as the adaptive waveform design method is demonstrated via numerical examples.
Latin America and the Global Financial Crisis

The current world economic crisis has hit Latin America very hard. Although financial conditions have deteriorated, particularly since September 2008, the financial shock has been less severe than during the two previous crises. Thanks to improvements in external balance sheets, there has been room for counter-cyclical credit and monetary policies. The decision to absorb large capital inflows during the boom as foreign exchange reserves is one of the major sources of the increased room to manoeuvre. However, these strengths have been insufficient in the face of a strong trade shock. The region's economies should therefore seriously think again in the domestic market, with regional integration and active production sector policies as engines of growth. Copyright The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Cambridge Political Economy Society. All rights reserved. , Oxford University Press.
Development of a Comprehensive Community Assessment of School Readiness

This paper describes the development of a multipart assessment of kindergarten readiness for the State of Vermont. The approach described reflects emerging consensus around the appropriate domains of development to include in child assessments, as well as the need to assess schools’ readiness for young children and their families. The approach differs from some states’ approaches, however, in its emphasis on readiness data for purposes of community-level accountability rather than to support individualized instruction. Data on children’s developing competencies early in the kindergarten year (in five domains) were reported by teachers across the state (N = 181), on approximately half of the state’s kindergartners (N = 2,992). Data on the "readiness" of schools were reported by principals (N = 197). Schools’ "readiness" was conceptualized as including the areas of "smooth transitions to school," "instruction and staff development," "partnership with community," and "resources. " Results confirmed the viability of a brief teacher-reported assessment of children and an assessment of "ready school" practices. Further tasks related to promoting local use of the assessment data, and implications for policy, are identified.
Use of a modified Bacteroides-Prevotella shuttle vector to transfer a reconstructed beta-1,4-D-endoglucanase gene into Bacteroides uniformis and Prevotella ruminicola B(1)4

A carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) gene from Prevotella ruminicola B(1)4 was reconstructed by adding a cellulose binding domain from a Thermomonospora fusca cellulase and was conjugally transferred from Escherichia coli to Bacteroides uniformis 0061 by using a chloramphenicol and tetracycline resistance shuttle vector (pTC-COW). pTC-COW was specifically constructed to facilitate conjugal transfer of vectors from B. uniformis donors to P. ruminicola recipients. B. uniformis transconjugants containing CMCase constructs cloned into pTC-COW expressed Cmr, but they did not produce the reconstructed CMCase until a xylanase promoter from P. ruminicola 23 was added upstream of the CMCase (pTC-XRCMC). The xylanase promoter allowed the B. uniformis transconjugants to produce large amounts of the reconstructed CMCase, which was present on the outside surface of the cells. Although the reconstructed CMCase alone did not allow B. uniformis to grow on acid-swollen cellulose, rapid growth was observed when two exocellulases were added to the culture supernatant. Under these conditions, the reconstructed CMCase permitted faster growth than the wild-type CMCase. The frequency of transfer of pTC-XRCMC from B. uniformis to P. ruminicola B(1)4 was increased 100-fold when strictly anaerobic conditions, nitrocelluose filters (cell immobilization), and more stringent selections were employed. Although the P. ruminicola B(1)4 (pTC-XRCMC) transconjugates expressed Tcr and had DNA that hybridized with a probe to the shuttle vector, these transconjugants did not produce detectable levels of the reconstructed CMCase even when xylan was the carbon source. On the basis of these results, it appears that not all of the promoters recognized by B. uniformis and P. ruminicola 23 are functional in P. ruminicola B(1)4. However, the results with B. uniformis suggest that the introduction of a P. ruminicola B(1)4 promoter should allow expression of the reconstructed CMCase in P. ruminicola B(1)4.
TerraSAR-X Staring Spotlight Mode Optimization and Global Performance Predictions

For the TerraSAR-X mission, a new staring spotlight mode has been implemented delivering very high azimuth resolution. Detailed performance analyses have been conducted to optimize the commanding parameters for this mode. Compared to the previously available TerraSAR-X imaging modes, staring spotlight requires operating the instrument with minimum margins and at the edge of the specifications, the radar has been designed for. Therefore, an additional step-a global acquisition simulation and analysis-is introduced during the operationalization to ensure the suitability of the derived commanding parameters on a global scale. This paper gives an overview of SAR performance analyses conducted for the mode optimization and implementation phases and presents a novel global performance assessment approach, which is generally applicable for the verification of operational SAR modes. Additionally, measurement results and exemplary acquisitions are shown.
DECISION TAKING UNDER UNCERTAINTY: A LINEAR PROGRAMMING MODEL OF PEASANT FARMER BEHAVIOUR*

This article presents a method for taking uncertainty into account when representing the production decisions of near-subsistence farmers. The main assumption is that farmers maximise expected income subject to meeting yearly subsistence requirements in adverse conditions. A game theoretic criterion is employed to minimise the cost of securing subsistence requirements under uncertainty. The results of incorporating the formulation into a linear programming model of peasant farming in South East Ghana indicate that the assumption made as to farmers' objectives are valid for the situation studied and it is suggested that farmer behaviour observed elsewhere in Africa may be explained in similar terms. Resume PRISE EN COMPTE DE L'INCERTITUDE DANS LES PRISES DE DECISION: UN MODELE DE PROGRAMMATION LINEAIRE DU COMPORTEMENT DU PAYSAN AGRICULTEUR Cet article presente une methode pour prendre en compte les risques d'incertitude dans la representation des decisions de production des agriculteurs de quasi subsistance; le postulat principal est que les agriculteurs maximisent les recettes attendues pourvu que soient satisfaits les besoins annuels de subsistance dans des conditions adverses. Un critere de theorie des jeux est employe pour minimiser le cout de la satisfaction assuree des besoins de subsistance dans des conditions d'incertitude. Les resultats de l'insertion de la formulation dans un modele de programmation lineaire de l'exploitation agricole paysanne dans le sud-est du Ghana indiquent que les hypotheses faites quant aux objectifs des agriculteurs sont valables pour la situation etudiee, et les conclusions de l'etude laissent penser que le comportement des agriculteurs observe ailleurs en Afrique peut s'expliquer dans des termes analogues. Zusammenfassung DAS ENTSCHEIDUNGSVERFAHREN BEI UNGEWISSHEIT: EIN MODELL MIT LINEARER PROGRAMMIERUNG UBER DAS VERHALTEN DER LANDBEVOLKERUNG Dieser Artikel stellt eine Methode dar, Ungewissheiten zu berucksichtigen, wenn Produktionsentscheidungen durch Bauern getroffen werden, die an der Existenzgrenze leben. Die Hauptannahme ist, dass Bauern ein grosstmogliches Einkommen erwarten, vorausgesetzt, dass bei ungunstigen Verhaltnissen die jahrlichen Bedurfnisse erfullt werden. Ein Spieltheoriekriterium wird eingesetzt, um die Anschaffungskosten von Lebensnotwendigkeiten bei Ungewissheit auf ein Mindestmass zu verringern. Die Ergebnisse, die bei der Aufnahme der Formulierung in ein Modell mit linearer Programmierung der durch Bauern in Sudostghana betriebenen Landwirtschaft entstehen, weisen darauf hin, dass die Annahme bezuglich Ziele der Bauern in der beobachteten Situation wohlbegrundet ist. Es wird vorgeschlagen, dass das Verhalten der Landbevolkerung, das anderswo in Afrika beobachtet wurde, in ahnlicher Weise beschrieben werden konnte.
Personality and divorce: a genetic analysis.

M. McGue and D.T. Lykken (1992) found that divorce risk was, to a substantial degree, genetically mediated; prior research has identified numerous social and psychological factors that affect divorce risk (G.C. Kitson, K.B. Barbi, & M.J. Roach, 1985). The present study attempted to link these domains by examining the extent to which genetic influences on one such psychological factor, personality, explain divorce risk heritability. A sample of adult twins from the Minnesota Twin Registry completed a marital history questionnaire and the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (A. Tellegen, 1982). Positive Emotionality and Negative Emotionality factors were positively related to divorce risk, whereas Constraint was negatively related. In women and men, respectively, 30% and 42% of the heritability of divorce risk consisted of genetic factors affecting personality and divorce risk correlated largely as a result of these common genetic influences.
A Triple-Mode Balanced Linear CMOS Power Amplifier Using a Switched-Quadrature Coupler

A triple-mode class-AB balanced linear power amplifier (PA) is realized in standard 0.18-μm CMOS technology. For the average efficiency enhancement, the triple-mode operation realizes a switched-quadrature coupler with a balanced topology to achieve robust load insensitivity. The PA and RF switches uniquely utilize the isolation port of the switched-quadrature coupler as a signal path in a low-power (LP) mode of operation, and the incorporated output matching network satisfies the |Γ| = 1 condition from the quadrature coupler in the LP mode while providing the necessary load-pull impedance from the PA output side in the high-power (HP) mode. To obtain low loss and high quality factor ( Q) of the passive output-combining network, a transformer-based quadrature coupler is implemented using a silicon-based integrated passive device process. With a 3.4-V power supply, the PA transmits a maximum output power of 28.4 dBm with 40.7% of power-added efficiency (PAE) and linear output power up to 26.6 dBm with 35% of the PAE using a 3-GPP WCDMA modulated signal. With the triple-mode operation, a PAE at 16 dBm is enhanced from 11.1% to 17%, and 47 mA of quiescent current is saved. The PA also shows robust operation under 2.5:1 of VSWR condition, achieving 1 dB of the gain variation and less than 3.9 dB of ACLR variation. This work demonstrates the potential of a highly efficient CMOS PA for WCDMA applications.
Equivalent Circuit of the Neuro-Electronic Junction for Signal Recordings From Planar and Engulfed Micro-Nano-Electrodes

In the latest years, several attempts to develop extracellular microtransducers to record electrophysiological activity of excitable cells have been done. In particular, many efforts have been oriented to increase the coupling conditions, and, thus, improving the quality of the recorded signal. Gold mushroom-shaped microelectrodes (GMμE) are an example of nano-devices to achieve those requirements. In this study, we developed an equivalent electrical circuit of the neuron–microelectrode system interface to simulate signal recordings from both planar and engulfed micro-nano-electrodes. To this purpose, models of the neuron, planar, gold planar microelectrode, and GMμE, neuro-electronic junction (microelectrode–electrolyte interface, cleft effect, and protein-glycocalyx electric double layer) are presented. Then, neuronal electrical activity is simulated by Hspice software, and analyzed as a function of the most sensitive biophysical models parameters, such as the neuron–microelectrode cleft width, spreading and seal resistances, ion-channel densities, double-layer properties, and microelectrode geometries. Results are referenced to the experimentally recorded electrophysiological neuronal signals reported in the literature.
Bifunctional Alkylating Agent-Induced p53 and Nonclassical Nuclear Factor κB Responses and Cell Death Are Altered by Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester: A Potential Role for Antioxidant/Electrophilic Response-Element Signaling

Bifunctional alkylating agents (BFA) such as mechlorethamine (nitrogen mustard) and bis-(2-chloroethyl) sulfide (sulfur mustard; SM) covalently modify DNA and protein. The roles of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and p53, transcription factors involved in inflammatory and cell death signaling, were examined in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) and immortalized HaCaT keratinocytes, a p53-mutated cell line, to delineate molecular mechanisms of action of BFA. NHEK and HaCaT cells exhibited classical NF-κB signaling as degradation of inhibitor protein of NF-κBα (IκBα) occurred within 5 min after exposure to tumor necrosis factor-α. However, exposure to BFA induced nonclassical NF-κB signaling as loss of IκBα was not observed until 2 or 6 h in NHEK or HaCaT cells, respectively. Exposure of an NF-κB reporter gene-expressing HaCaT cell line to 12.5, 50, or 100 μM SM activated the reporter gene within 9 h. Pretreatment with caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a known inhibitor of NF-κB signaling, significantly decreased BFA-induced reporter gene activity. A 1.5-h pretreatment or 30-min postexposure treatment with CAPE prevented BFA-induced loss of membrane integrity by 24 h in HaCaT cells but not in NHEK. CAPE disrupted BFA-induced phosphorylation of p53 and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90RSK) in both cell lines. CAPE also increased nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 and decreased aryl hydrocarbon receptor protein expression, both of which are involved in antioxidant/electrophilic response element (ARE/EpRE) signaling. Thus, disruption of p53/p90RSK-mediated NF-κB signaling and activation of ARE/EpRE pathways may be effective strategies to delineate mechanisms of action of BFA-induced inflammation and cell death signaling in immortalized versus normal skin systems.
Unraveling the Black Box of Cost Behavior: An Empirical Investigation of Risk Drivers, Managerial Resource Procurement, and Cost Elasticity

ABSTRACT: This paper extends prior literature on cost behavior by providing insights into how firms achieve changes to cost structure in response to two important risk drivers, i.e., demand uncertainty and financial risk. Using theory from labor economics, supply-chain management, and finance, we posit that demand uncertainty and financial risk influence cost management activities. Specifically, we argue that firms are likely to alter resource procurement choices to increase cost elasticity in response to these two risk drivers. We use data from California hospitals that allow for the calibration of three distinct resource procurement choices that increase cost elasticity: outsourcing, leasing of equipment, and hiring contract labor. Mediation analysis using 2,202 hospital year observations indicates that both demand uncertainty and financial risk influence cost elasticity. Importantly, these effects are mediated by the three aforementioned resource procurement choices. Overall, our findings support the v.
A Closer Look at Boundary Layer Inversion in Large-Eddy Simulations and Bulk Models: Buoyancy-Driven Case

The inversion layer (IL) of a clear-sky, buoyancy-driven convective boundary layer is investigated using large-eddy simulations covering a wide range of convective Richardson numbers. A new model of the IL is suggested and tested. The model performs better than previous first-order models of the entrainment and provides physical insights into the main controls of the mixed-layer and IL growths. A consistent prognostic equation of the IL growth is derived, with explicit dependence on the position of the minimum buoyancyflux, convective Richardson number, and relative stratification across the inversion G. The IL model expresses the interrelationship between the position and magnitude of the minimum buoyancy flux and inversion-layer depth. These relationships emphasize why zero-order jump models of the convective boundary layer perform wellunderastronginversionandshowthatthesemodelsmisstheadditionalparameterGtofullycharacterize the entrainment process under a weak inversion. Additionally, the position of the minimum buoyancy flux within the new IL model is shown to be a key component of convective boundary layer entrainment. The new IL model is sufficiently simple to be used in numerical weather prediction or general circulation models as a way to resolve the IL in a low-vertical-resolution model.
HOUSING PRICE DIFFUSSION PATTERNS AT DIFFERENT AGGREGATION LEVELS: AN EXAMINATION OF HOUSING MARKET EFFICIENCY

Recent research supports the proposition that housing markets are not informationally efficient. That is, housing prices do not immediately reflect publicly available information. Another question of interest is whether housing price changes in one location or for one type of housing can be predicted not only by their own history, but also by housing price changes in other locations or for other housing types. In essence, this would imply a diffusion of price changes. This article examines the interrelationship among housing price changes in (1) different U.S. census divisions and (2) different primary metropolitan statistical areas within a consolidated metropolitan statistical area. The evidence confirms that housing price shocks in one area are likely to cause, in a Granger sense, subsequent shocks in the same area and in other areas. The metropolitan area analysis finds evidence of diffusion between contiguous areas; the census division analysis displays alternative diffusion patterns.
Unified average and small-signal modeling of direct-on-time control

A unified and consistent method for the average and small-signal modeling of switched-mode converters under direct-on-time (DOT) or voltage mode (VM) control applicable to fixed- and variable-frequency operation in discontinuous (DCM) and continuous (CCM) modes of operation is proposed. The method is based on the direct estimation of the state-variable derivatives using their physical and circuit theoretical dependence on the corresponding circuit elements. This has been the first time that it has been explicitly recognized that the time-varying local average value of the inductor current is the state variable instead of the instantaneous current being also continuous within a cycle regardless of the operation mode. The method provides a common basis for the average modeling of VM control and leads eventually to the well-recognized results obtained using state-space averaging (SSA) in CCM or its modified version in DCM under fixed-frequency operation as well as accurate full-order models also in the variable-frequency operation. In addition, the method known as unterminated modeling is introduced, providing a useful tool for the dynamic analysis of switched-mode converters.
Identifying Student Types in a Gamified Learning Experience

Gamification of education is a recent trend, and early experiments showed promising results. Students seem not only to perform better, but also to participate more and to feel more engaged with gamified learning. However, little is known regarding how different students are affected by gamification and how their learning experience may vary. In this paper we present a study in which we analyzed student data from a gamified college course and looked for distinct behavioral patterns. We clustered students according to their performance throughout the semester, and carried out a thorough analysis of each cluster, regarding many aspects of their learning experience. We clearly found three types of students, each with very distinctive strategies and approaches towards gamified learning: the Achievers, the Disheartened and the Underachievers. A careful analysis allowed us to extensively describe each student type and derive meaningful guidelines, to help carefully tailoring custom gamified experiences for them.