Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identiﬁcation and Characterization of Bacterial Pathogens Causing Bloodstream Infections by DNA Microarray‡

Bloodstream infections are potentially life-threatening and require rapid identiﬁcation and antibiotic sus- ceptibility testing of the causative pathogen in order to facilitate speciﬁc antimicrobial therapy. We developed a prototype DNA microarray for the identiﬁcation and characterization of three important bacteremia-causing species: Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The array consisted of 120 species-speciﬁc gene probes 200 to 800 bp in length that were ampliﬁed from recombinant plasmids. These probes represented genes encoding housekeeping proteins, virulence factors, and antibiotic resistance determinants. Evaluation with 42 clinical isolates, 3 reference strains, and 13 positive blood cultures revealed that the DNA microarray was highly speciﬁc in identifying S. aureus , E. coli , and P. aeruginosa strains and in discriminating them from closely related gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains also known to be etiological agents of bacteremia. We found a nearly perfect correlation between phenotypic antibiotic resistance determined by conventional susceptibility testing and genotypic antibiotic resistance by hybridization to the S. aureus resistance gene probes mecA (oxacillin-methicillin resistance), aacA-aphD (gentamicin resistance), ermA (erythromycin resistance), and blaZ (penicillin resistance) and the E. coli resistance gene probes bla TEM-106 (penicillin resistance) and aacC2 (aminoglycoside resistance). Furthermore, antibiotic resistance and virulence gene probes permitted genotypic discrimination within a species. This novel DNA microarray demonstrates the feasibility of simultaneously identifying and characterizing bacteria in blood cultures without prior ampliﬁcation of target DNA or preidentiﬁcation of the pathogen. were prewashed at for and SSC (1 (cid:3) SSC 0.15 M plus 0.015 M and prehybridized in 120 (cid:5) of denatured prehybridization (Memorec) for 30 min at with mild After injection of 110 (cid:5) of was performed for with mild were in a (Memorec) for ﬁve cycles of wash and and in a (Memorec) for ﬁve cycles of and were Array 5000 532 635 Cy3 Alexa 647
Option-Implied Measures of Equity Risk

Equity risk measured by beta is of great interest to both academics and practitioners. Existing estimates of beta use historical returns. Many studies have found option-implied volatility to be a strong predictor of future realized volatility. We find that option-implied volatility and skewness are also good predictors of future realized beta. Motivated by this finding, we establish a set of assumptions needed to construct a beta estimate from option-implied return moments using equity and index options. This beta can be computed using only option data on a single day. It is therefore potentially able to reflect sudden changes in the structure of the underlying company. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.
A Longitudinal Field Study of Training Practices in a Collaborative Application Environment

Researchers have emphasized that existing training strategies must be modified in order to adequately prepare users to employ collaborative applications. We utilize findings from the vast amount of training research conducted thus far and point to some problems that might occur when existing strategies are applied to train users of collaborative applications. We test our ideas by conducting a longitudinal field study of a collaborative work flow application. As proposed in a recent knowledge-level framework, our findings indicate that training programs must not solely focus on developing users' system proficiency skills but must also educate users about the business processes that the collaborative application will support. This additional knowledge will enable users to deal with technology-induced changes in the business processes due to the deployment of the collaborative application. Furthermore, we find that training programs should sensitize users to the interdependencies that exist among their tasks and make them aware of the collective consequences of their individual actions. We also found that users have to engage in collective problem solving efforts and continuously learn new knowledge during the process of appropriation of the collaborative application. We propose a training framework that integrates these ideas to prepare users to make effective use of collaborative applications. The proposed framework calls for trainers to be continuously engaged with users and help refine their knowledge during the process of appropriation. We suggest that theoretical foundations rooted in collective learning be adopted to guide training research in collaborative applications.
An Empirical Examination of Models of Contract Choice in Initial Public Offerings

Abstract This study examines initial public offering contract choice decisions. In best-efforts offerings, minimum sales constraints allow issuers to precommit to withdraw the offering if a fixed minimum number of shares is not sold. In firm-commitment offerings, the over-allotment option allows the underwriter to increase sales when demand is strong. Two theories of contract choice–Benveniste and Spindt (1989) and Ritter's (1987) extension of Rock (1986)–offer predictions about the role of these contract features. We find that the 1977–1982 evidence is consistent with Benveniste and Spindt (1989). The evidence is less supportive of the Ritter (1987) hypothesis that minimum sales constraints serve to reduce the winner's curse of the riskier issuers.
ACHIEVING SEMIPARAMETRIC EFFICIENCY BOUNDS IN LEFT-CENSORED DURATION MODELS

Consider the estimation of unemployment duration when the statistician samples individuals from the pool of unemployed persons and later interviews them and asks how long they had been unmployed. This incurs the problem of left-censoring; ignoring left-censoring overestimates the mean duration since longer spells tend to be observed more frequently than shorter ones. Lancaster (1979) gives a simple and convenient solution to the problem by introducing a conditional maximum likelihood estimator (MLE), i.e. analysis conditional on duration at the time of sampling. Here we give answers to the question whether or not such an approach is optimal in the sense that a semiparametric efficiency bound is achieved.
Evaluating volatility dynamics and the forecasting ability of Markov switching models

This paper uses Markov switching models to capture volatility dynamics in exchange rates and to evaluate their forecasting ability. We identify that increased volatilities in four euro-based exchange rates are due to underlying structural changes. Also, we find that currencies are closely related to each other, especially in high-volatility periods, where cross-correlations increase significantly. Using Markov switching Monte Carlo approach we provide evidence in favour of Markov switching models, rejecting random walk hypothesis. Testing in-sample and out-of-sample Markov trading rules based on Dueker and Neely ( Journal of Banking and Finance , 2007) we find that using econometric methodology is able to forecast accurately exchange rate movements. When applied to the Euro|US dollar and the euro|British pound daily returns data, the model provides exceptional out-of-sample returns. However, when applied to the euro|Brazilian real and the euro|Mexican peso, the model loses power. Higher volatility exercised in the Latin American currencies seems to be a critical factor for this failure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The internationalization of SMEs: an integrative approach

Presented paper aims to compare internationalization of Lithuanian and Norwegian SMEs by exploring the main motives and barriers restricting internationalization process. The authors strive to reveal the patterns of internationalization taking into account the aspects of main theoretical models. The research is based on the main ideas of stage, network and international entrepreneurship approaches. The main motives and barriers restricting internationalization process are based on the previous studies. In order to compare internationalization patterns of Lithuanian and Norwegian SMEs, quantitative research has been performed. The quantitative research is based on responses to a questionnaire embracing various aspects of internationalization. The sample of 300 SMEs was selected taking into consideration previous research. The survey allows concluding that Lithuanian SMEs emphasise geographic proximity as the most important criteria for international market selection. On the other hand, Norwegian SMEs perceive variables of international entrepreneurship theory as the important contributory factors in internationalization process. The authors conclude that Lithuanian SMEs rely on exporting; meanwhile Norwegian SMEs choose subcontracting/licensing or own representative abroad. Hence, Norwegian SMEs are seen at the more advanced stage of internationalization. Authors of the research have elaborated proposals, which are useful for further development of Lithuanian SMEs and take into consideration experience of Norwegian SMEs. The presented paper will contribute to the International Entrepreneurship Forum by providing new insights into further development of SMEs of Lithuania and Norway taking into consideration opportunities and threats.
Size Fractionation of Metals Present in Highway Runoff: Beyond the Six Commonly Reported Species

Highway runoff is an important non‐point source of pollutants, especially metals. This study reports monitoring results from 17 storm events at three highway sites for six commonly sampled metals: cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc. The study also reports the results of eight additional metals: aluminum, arsenic, cobalt, iron, manganese, selenium, strontium, and vanadium. Soluble phase, defined as passing a 0.45 μm filter, and particulate phase concentrations on four size fractions from 0.45 to larger than 100 μm are reported. The greatest metal masses were typically observed in the 8 to 20 μm fraction. The size distribution shows that sedimentation as a treatment process typically found in stormwater management can remove only 65% of the mass of most particulate phase metal species. Additional processes, such as coagulation or filtration, are needed to obtain greater removal rates. The results indicate the need to study particle size distribution (PSD) in order to better select treatment alternatives or assess environmental impacts.
Configurations of e-HRM – an empirical exploration

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate types, contexts and consequences of electronic HRM (e-HRM) configurations to get a deeper understanding of the reasons, kinds and success of different e-HRM types. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a cross-sectional survey of senior HR persons and analyses data with exploratory methods, i.e. cluster analysis, classification tree analysis and analysis of variance. Findings – The results show that actually three configurations of e-HRM – “non users”, “operational users” and “power users” – exist. These can be explained by a sparse, yet meaningful set of contextual variables. All three configurations markedly contribute to organisational success, whereas the “power user”-configuration exceeds the other configurations. Research limitations/implications – The employed e-HRM typology shows a precursory status and the empirical study is exploratory in nature. Thus, searching for a clearer theoretical foundation, improving the hypothesising of varia.
MOODY'S KMV RISKCALC

Moody's KMV RiskCalc ® is the Moody's KMV model for predicting private company defaults. It covers over 80% of the world's GDP, has more than 20 geographic specific models, and is used by hundreds of institutions worldwide. While using the same underlying framework, each model reflects the domestic lending, regulator, and accounting practices of its specific region.
Treatment of gestational choriocarcinoma and massive ascites by hypothermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy guided by ultrasound followed by cytoreductive surgery

A 33-year-old woman with very poor health status was admitted to our hospital because she had experienced increasing abdominal distention for three months, CT examination showed a right ovarian tumor together with massive abdominal and pelvic fluid. The patient was first treated by continuous circulatory hypothermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy (HIPC) guided by B-mode ultrasound, followed by cytoreductive surgery (CRS) after her ascites was controlled and her health condition improved. She was diagnosed with gestational choriocarcinoma (GC) based on the pathological examination of the hysterectomy specimen. She is still alive with very good health today. We think it may be a good choice for a patient in very poor health with GC accompanied by massive ascites to perform HIPC guided by B-mode ultrasound firstly, followed by CRS when the ascites has relieved and the patient’s health has improved.
Information Role of U.S. Futures Trading in a Global Financial Market

Using a bivariate, asymmetric generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity model, we examine the patterns of information flows for three financial futures contracts that are dual‐listed on U.S. and Asian markets (i.e., Nikkei 225 Index, Eurodollar, and dollar–yen currency futures). The results indicate that the U.S. market plays a leading role in terms of pricing‐information transmission across markets. In terms of volatility spillover across markets, however, foreign markets seem to play a similar role (e.g., Nikkei Index futures) or even a more significant role than the United States (e.g., Eurodollar futures in Singapore and dollar–yen currency futures in Japan). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 21:1071–1090, 2001
Modeling of single-phase core type transformer

This paper deals with to elaborate a model of single-phase core type transformer. The model uses the principle of duality based on corrections made to the Π-model. First, we will highlight modifications to already existing models, and a comparison between the Modified Π-model with the T and Π-models and experimentation will be made. The main interest of this model is to introduce of hysteresis loop instead of an anhystretic curve in both T and especially in the Π-model that seeks to improve. The hysteresis loop can have an important role in the simulation of the transient phenomena, such as ferroresonance. Also, for the correction of the Π-model and T-model, we include the hysteresis reactor in the elements of the transformer core to model the non-linear effects of hysteresis, and saturation.
Service Provider Use of Christian Religious Messages in Yellow Pages Advertising

A growing practice among local businesses in the U.S. is the inclusion of Christian religious symbols or messages in their advertising, especially yellow pages advertising. Yet little is known about the motivations behind the usage of such messages. These issues are addressed in a series of in-depth interviews with local service providers who use religious messages in their ads. Narratives of the interviews are presented, and interpretation led to the discovery of two emergent themes: "Entrepreneurial Christianity" and service providers' "Desire for Tribal Identity. " Both of the themes contained three subthemes. These emergent themes and subthemes are discussed and then placed within the larger context of religion and commerce.
Transaction Costs and the Pricing of Assets

The existence of transaction costs explains why investors do not fully diversify their portfolios. This paper examines the implications of such limited diversification oi equilibrium asset prices in the framework of the capital asset pricing model. In the pricing equation obtained here an asset's risk premium depends on a weighted average of its covariance with the market and its own variance. THE ABSENCE OF TRANSACTION costs in the Sharpe-Lintner capital-asset pricing model (CAPM) is often claimed to be only a minor idealization which hardly affects the substantive implications of the model. This paper aims to demonstrate that this is not the case: incorporating transaction costs into the CAPM leads to a major reformulation of its basic asset pricing equation. In contrast with the CAPM formula
Macro Domain from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Is an Efficient ADP-ribose Binding Module

The newly emerging Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) encodes the conserved macro domain within non-structural protein 3. However, the precise biochemical function and structure of the macro domain is unclear. Using differential scanning fluorimetry and isothermal titration calorimetry, we characterized the MERS-CoV macro domain as a more efficient adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose binding module than macro domains from other CoVs. Furthermore, the crystal structure of the MERS-CoV macro domain was determined at 1.43-Å resolution in complex with ADP-ribose. Comparison of macro domains from MERS-CoV and other human CoVs revealed structural differences in the α1 helix alters how the conserved Asp-20 interacts with ADP-ribose and may explain the efficient binding of the MERS-CoV macro domain to ADP-ribose. This study provides structural and biophysical bases to further evaluate the role of the MERS-CoV macro domain in the host response via ADP-ribose binding but also as a potential target for drug design.
Images and Intervention: U.S. Policies in Latin America

Cottam explains the patterns of U.S. intervention in Latin America by focusing on the cognitive images that have dominated policy makers' world views, influenced the procession of information, and informed strategies and tactics. She employs a number of case studies of intervention and analyzes decision-making patterns from the early years of the cold war in Guatemala and Cuba to the post-cold-war policies in Panama and the war on drugs in Peru. Using two particular images-the enemy and the dependent-Cottam explores why U.S. policy makers have been predisposed to intervene in Latin America when they have perceived an enemy (the Soviet Union) interacting with a dependent (a Latin American country), and why these images led to perceptions that continued to dominate policy into the post-cold-war era. "
Transient lattice contraction in the solid-to-plasma transition

Ultrafast x-ray heating of clusters leads to bond contraction in the solid-to-plasma transition. In condensed matter systems, strong optical excitations can induce phonon-driven processes that alter their mechanical properties. We report on a new phenomenon where a massive electronic excitation induces a collective change in the bond character that leads to transient lattice contraction. Single large van der Waals clusters were isochorically heated to a nanoplasma state with an intense 10-fs x-ray (pump) pulse. The structural evolution of the nanoplasma was probed with a second intense x-ray (probe) pulse, showing systematic contraction stemming from electron delocalization during the solid-to-plasma transition. These findings are relevant for any material in extreme conditions ranging from the time evolution of warm or hot dense matter to ultrafast imaging with intense x-ray pulses or, more generally, any situation that involves a condensed matter-to-plasma transition.
Tu-chung (Eucommia ulmoides) leaf extract does not enhance whole-body protein synthesis in the chicken embryo cultured in vitro

Tu-chung (Eucommia ulmoides, Oliver) is a Chinese medical herb which has been used for the sake of health for a few thousand years. In animal experiments, it was reported that Tu-chung leaf extract increased relative weight of both liver and small intestine in the rat (MA et al., 1987), and body weight of mice (YoxoGosHi et al., 1991). In laying hens, SHIOYA et al., (1990) reported that administration of Tu-chung leaf improved egg production rates in the late production phase. These findings lead one to speculate that Tu-chung leaf extract contains physiologically active substances that may regulate protein metabolism of animals. One of the important processes in protein metabolism which might be stimulated by Tu-chung leaf extract would be protein synthesis, because Y0K0G0SHI et al. (1991) found an increase in muscle protein synthesis in senescent mice. The present study was conducted, therefore, to investigate whether supplementing with Tu-chung leaf extract would enhance whole-body protein synthesis in chicken embryos by using a whole-embryo culture system which was found to be useful for screening physiologically active substances in chickens (MURAMATSU et al., 1993b,c; KITA et al., 1993).
Differentiation Status of Human Renal Proximal and Distal Tubular Epithelial Cells in vitro: Differential Expression of Characteristic Markers

Background: The culture of human renal tubular cells of well-defined nephron origin is an important basis in the research of various physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms in the kidney. In vitro differentiation of cultured cells is affected by cell isolation and culture conditions. Our study describes in vitro differentiation of cultured human renal proximal and distal (thick ascending limb and early distal) tubular epithelial cells. Methods: Proximal tubular cells (PTC) and early distal tubular cells (DTC) were isolated immunomagnetically and cultured. In vitro differentiation was assessed by Western blot analysis and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using characteristic markers. Morphologic characterization was shown by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. Results: E-cadherin was highly expressed in DTC, whereas expression was low in PTC. In contrast to DTC, in PTC, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and aquaporin 1 were constitutively expressed at high levels. Both cell types expressed cytokeratin 18 and Na-K-ATPase but not α-smooth muscle actin. Morphological analysis showed that PTC develop long microvilli, whereas DTC formed short microvilli in culture, and both express the tight junction protein zona occludens protein 1. Conclusions: We demonstrate differential expression of E-cadherin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and aquaporin 1 in cultured PTC and DTC as described for the renal tubule in vivo. We could show the in vitro differentiation of the cells, and thus, their usefulness as an in vitro model of the human proximal and early distal tubule.
Extraordinary items and income smoothing:a positive accounting approach

This is an empirical study of single-period income smoothing which uses an incentives-based model to explain classificatory choices. An index is constructed to measure the smoothing effect of these choices. Weighted least squares regression results indicate that classificatory choices consistent with smoothing are more likely to be observed in firms with high earnings variability, high dividend payout, substantial managerial holdings of share options and diffuse share ownership. The existence of material scope for smoothing strengthens these findings. The model as a whole is statistically significant and, although the proportion of variability in smoothing explained is modest, it compares very favourably with other accounting choice studies. The relationship between smoothing and alternative earnings management strategies, including big bath accounting, is explored.