Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adequacy of Milk Intake During Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVE: To test whether and how human lactation and breastfeeding practices can adapt to fulfill infant energy requirements during exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. METHODS: The First-Feed study was a longitudinal, observational field study to measure milk intake, energy intake (from the doubly labeled water method), anthropometry, and breastfeeding practices at 2 time points around 15 and 25 weeks of age. Fifty healthy exclusively breastfeeding mother-infant dyads were included from breastfeeding support groups in greater Glasgow, Scotland. Forty-seven completed (23 boys), and 41 were exclusively breastfed to 25 weeks of age. RESULTS: Milk intakes were higher than literature values (923 [SD: 122] g/day, n = 36; and 999 [SD: 146] g/day, n = 33) at both 15 and 25 weeks of age (both P < .001) and increased significantly between time points (mean increase: 61 g/day [95% confidence interval: 23–99]; P = .003). Infant growth was normal compared with World Health Organization Child Growth Standards, and energy intakes were adequate compared with references for energy requirements. Behavioral data indicated no evidence of strain on breastfeeding practices. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this prospective study reveal that when mothers are well supported and follow the World Health Organization recommendation on breastfeeding, milk intakes are high and increase over time, and there is adequate energy intake, normal infant growth, and no marked changes in breastfeeding practices. This new empirical evidence on adaptations during exclusive breastfeeding should help health professionals promote the initiation, duration, and exclusivity of breastfeeding.
Objective tinnitus in association with an abnormal posterior condylar emissary vein.

Objective, pulsatile tinnitus can often be related to an identifiable vascular abnormality. An unusual case of a massively enlarged posterior condylar emissary vein associated with pulsatile tinnitus in a young woman is reported. Initial evaluation of this patient with computed tomography revealed an enhancing mass near the posterior arch of the first cervical vertebra. An angiogram showed this to be large venous varix (posterior condylar emissary vein) arising from the distal sigmoid sinus. It drained down the neck, near the posterior arches of the cervical vertebrae. Slight digital pressure over the internal jugular vein effectively eliminated the tinnitus, presumably by altering flow dynamics through the condylar vein. The internal jugular vein was ligated, and this reduced the patient's tinnitus, which was no longer objectively audible. The anatomy of the posterior condylar emissary vein is discussed, and the general evaluation of a patient with objective, pulsatile tinnitus is reviewed.
A branch-current-based state estimation for distribution systems non-measurement loads

A branch-current-based robust estimation method, which rejects bad data, is proposed for correcting pseudo measurements of 10 kV distribution systems. The exponential function of absolute residual vector is adopted in the algorithm, so that it can restrain bad influences from polluted measurements. The results of 33-bus IEEE test system show that not only the method is computationally more efficient than the conventional node-voltage-based state estimation (SE) methods but also the algorithm can efficiently correct pseudo measurements and make the accuracy of pseudo measurements reach or approach that of real-time measurements.
Corporate governance and executive renumeration in banking

The thesis traces developments in executive compensation at a sample of American (US) and European banks from 1999 to 2013. Three investigative chapters examine developments in compensation arrangements in the boom period before the global financial crisis, during and following the crisis, and for cohorts of global-systemically-important-banks, EU banks, and US banks. The thesis reviews the value of banks’ human capital endowment by considering the full C-suite of executive directors in comparison to studies that focus solely on CEOs. The analysis uses a carefully constructed dataset, which contains detailed compensation data for executive directors plus information on their biographical characteristics. The dataset includes bank-level financial statements data and stock data. The first investigative research (Chapter Two) provides an answer as to which factors affect executive compensation in banking. It shows the contrast in pay between bank CEOs and other executive roles. The analysis identifies which biographical characteristics, features of corporate governance structure, and bank-related factors exert most effect on executive compensation and its constituents. The second investigative study (Chapter Three) considers the issue of pay-for-performance in banking, following claims that pay-for-performance systems had become weaker over time, and that powerful firm executives were able to extract rents, which suggests compensation contracts had become sub-optimal for shareholders. It sheds light on the extent to which executive pay growth reflects changes in bank performance. The chapter considers the design of compensation contracts and estimates the strength of pay-for-performance relationships across different pay incentives. The third study (Chapter Four) considers the behaviour of top management teams and investigates whether the size of differences in pay (pay gaps) between the CEO and other C-suite executives affects firm performance, for which the Z-score is a measure of bank stability. A shared finding of this thesis is that heterogeneity matters and not one size fits all. Results often show intertemporal variation and variation between the three cohorts of banks. Larger compensation awards, and considerably larger portfolio holdings, are common at large, complex firms with wide ranging international operations. This suggests that there are selection effects at work with the biggest and most prestigious firms using compensation packages to attract talented and ambitious individuals.
Assembling and imaging of his‐tag green fluorescent protein on mica surfaces studied by atomic force microscopy and fluorescence microscopy

The adsorption of his‐tag green fluorescent protein (GFPH6) onto the mica surfaces has been studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and laser confocal fluorescence microscopy. By controlling the adsorption conditions, separated single GFPH6 and GFPH6 monolayer can be adsorbed and formed on mica surfaces. In present experiments, based on the AFM measurement, we found that the adsorbed GFPH6 was bound on the mica surface with its β‐sheets. The formed GFPH6 monolayer on mica surfaces was flat, uniform, and stable. Some applications of the formed monolayer have been demonstrated. The formed monolayer can be used as a substrate for DNA imaging and AFM mechanical lithography. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
State Health Department Accreditation Technical Assistance: A Focused Strategic Thinking Approach

Public health departments provide many services critical to maintaining healthy populations, including communicable disease control, immunizations, primary care, and emergency preparedness. The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) has established an accreditation process for public health departments that measures departmental performance against nationally recognized, evidence-based standards. The goal is to recognize departmental strengths and weaknesses, strengthen partnerships, and promote the prioritization of organizational goals to improve community health. Achieving accreditation from the PHAB requires health departments to develop Community Health Assessment (CHA), Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), and Strategic Plan processes. The intent of the CHA is to determine contributing factors for poor health outcomes and assess available resources. Building on the CHA, the CHIP establishes health priorities and improvement strategies, including measurable health outcomes and recommended policy changes. Finally, Strategic Plan defines the health department’s strategic priorities, goals, and implementation plans. A number of methodologies are available to develop these plans, but many prove to be complicated and confusing, leading to suboptimal performance. The Alabama-Mississippi Public Health Training Center assisted the Alabama Department of Public Health with the creation of their plans by developing the Focused Strategic Thinking Approach, which supplied simple and effective processes to develop useful and successful plans. These processes provide useful guides for other public health departments developing their prerequisites as they pursue PHAB accreditation.
Phylogenetic Characterization and Prevalence of “Spirobacillus cienkowskii,” a Red-Pigmented, Spiral-Shaped Bacterial Pathogen of Freshwater Daphnia Species

ABSTRACT Microscopic examination of the hemolymph from diseased daphniids in 17 lakes in southwestern Michigan and five rock pools in southern Finland revealed the presence of tightly coiled bacteria that bore striking similarities to the drawings of a morphologically unique pathogen, “Spirobacillus cienkowskii,” first described by Elya Metchnikoff more than 100 years ago. The uncultivated microbe was identified as a deeply branching member of the Deltaproteobacteria through phylogenetic analyses of two conserved genes: the 16S rRNA-encoding gene (rrs) and the β-subunit of topoisomerase (gyrB). Fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed that the rRNA gene sequence originated from bacteria with the tightly coiled morphology. Microscopy and PCR amplification with pathogen-specific primers confirmed infections by this bacterium in four species of Daphnia: Daphnia dentifera, D. magna, D. pulicaria, and D. retrocurva. Extensive field surveys reveal that this bacterium is widespread geographically and able to infect many different cladoceran species. In a survey of populations of D. dentifera in lakes in Michigan, we found the bacterium in 17 of 18 populations studied. In these populations, 0 to 12% of the individuals were infected, with an average of 3% during mid-summer and early autumn. Infections were less common in rock pool populations of D. magna in southern Finland, where the pathogen was found in 5 of 137 populations. The broad geographic distribution, wide host range, and high virulence of S. cienkowskii suggest it plays an important role in the ecology and evolution of daphniids.
The Impact of Instruction Understanding on Satisfaction and Switching Intentions

While prior research on product instructions has focused on design issues within the instruction communication, this research highlights the importance of providing instructions that are understood by customers. It is based on a customer satisfaction survey of over one thousand established customers of a health insurance organization. Results show that customers who report high instruction understanding experience less difficulty using the service, have higher levels of satisfaction, are more likely to recommend the service to others, and report lower switching intentions. This research extends previous examinations of satisfaction and switching behaviors by suggesting that instructions serve as an important managerial antecedent. Managers should be aware of the important role that service instructions and handbooks can have on critical strategic metrics such as customer satisfaction, service recovery, and switching intentions. Therefore, service marketers should systematically monitor customer reactions to instructions, including instruction understanding.
Characterization of fabrication process noises for 32nm NMOS devices

This paper describes the effect of fabrication process noises to Sub-nanometer devices, which in this case a 32nm NMOS transistor. This experiment a part of a full Taguchi Method analysis to obtain an optimum fabrication recipe for the said transistor. The two noises introduced in the fabrication is ±1°C variation in sacrificial oxide layer growth by diffusion temperature and also silicide compress annealing temperature. In this project, a working 32 NMOS transistor fabrication is used. By increasing the sacrificial oxide layer diffusion temperature from 900°C to 901°C, the reference 32nm NMOS transistor threshold voltage (VTH) jumps from 0.1181V to 0.1394V, while leakage current drops from 0.111mA/um to 0.109 mA/um. By decreasing the silicide compress temperature from 910°C to 909°C, threshold voltage increase slightly from 0.118053V to 0.118068V, This shows a very different in magnitude of effect from same degree of noise introduce to the fabrication process.
How to calculate the non-synonymous to synonymous rate ratio of protein-coding genes under the Fisher–Wright mutation–selection framework

First principles of population genetics are used to obtain formulae relating the non-synonymous to synonymous substitution rate ratio to the selection coefficients acting at codon sites in protein-coding genes. Two theoretical cases are discussed and two examples from real data (a chloroplast gene and a virus polymerase) are given. The formulae give much insight into the dynamics of non-synonymous substitutions and may inform the development of methods to detect adaptive evolution.
Voltage balancing method for a seven-level stacked multicell converter using reduced switching transitions

This paper proposes a voltage balancing method for a seven-level stacked multicell converter (SMC) based on phase disposition pulse-width modulation (PD-PWM) using reduced switching transitions. This method is called optimal-transition voltage balancing method. The selection of the optimal transition sequence is performed by minimizing a cost function and the transitions that would result in more switchings of the converter semiconductor devices are avoided. The simulation results show a significant reduction of the average switching frequency as compared to the use of the optimal-state voltage balancing method, while maintaining the balance of the FC voltages. Moreover, the proposed PD-PWM voltage balancing method is robust to unbalanced linear loads, non-linear loads and transients.
Receptor regulatory properties evident in the molecular similarity of serotonin receptor ligands and purine nucleotides

Previous computational studies have explored the relative molecular similarity inherent in the ligands of neurotransmitter‐regulated cell receptors and purine nucleotides. This study presents the results of an investigation of the major serotonin (5‐HT) receptor classes, using molecular superimposition and fitting data. Ligands for 5HT1B/C/D and 5HT4/7 receptors identified pharmacophores in the adenine ring of ATP. 5‐HT2 and 5‐HT3 receptor ligands identified pharmacophores in the guanosine nucleotide and cyclic nucleotide, respectively. The described molecular similarity is consistent with the cyclic nucleotide responses observed during signal transduction events initiated by 5‐HT, and the reported similarity between ligands of the 5‐HT1B and 5‐HT1D, 5‐HT1A and 5‐HT7, and 5‐HT4 and 5‐HT3 receptors. The results are discussed in terms of current pharmacophoric models and signal transduction events involving interaction between G‐protein receptors and catalytic sites.
Optimal Timing for an IPO with Market Sentiment Uncertainty

Along with this work we intend to propose a model to calculate the optimal timing of an IPO according to the Real Options Approach. As we know, an IPO can be a very important step of the lifetime of a company, and therefore, its timing is crucial to the company. In the recent years we have seen a vast increase in the number of IPO’s, and so, with this work, we intend to help companies to decide about when they should perform an IPO. We will base our work in some previous models, aiming mainly to conclude if the uncertainty about market sentiment plays a role in the timing of an IPO. Key-words: Real Options, Initial Public Offering, Market Sentiment, Uncertainty. JEL-Codes: G15, G32, O16
Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumours Presenting as Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis: Imaging Features in Three Cases

We present three cases of recurrent pancreatitis that occurred in patients with small islet cell tumours of the pancreas which were obstructing the main pancreatic duct. This is a very uncommon presentation of pancreatic islet cell tumours. The radiological findings in these cases are shown and the implications for imaging of 'idiopathic' relapsing pancreatitis are discussed.
Social Media Firm-Specific Sentiment and the Response to Corporate Earnings Announcements

This study establishes a relationship between stock-specific investor sentiment and stock price movements around earnings announcements. Stock-specific investor sentiment is the key determinant of price adjustment in the context of an earnings surprise. The effect of stock-specific investor sentiment dominates the effect of macro-sentiment. Finally, we provide evidence that the effect of stock-specific investor sentiment is more pronounced for stocks that are hard to value and difficult to arbitrage.
Preliminary assessment of interand intraobserver reproducibility, and normative values of renal mean transit time (MTT) and parenchymal transit time (PTT) for 99mTc-etylenodicysteine.

BACKGROUND The clinical significance of MTT and PTT, determined by deconvolution of renographic curves, is arguable. Their usefulness in diagnosis of obstructive uro- and nephropathy, renovascular hypertension and monitoring of transplanted kidneys is pointed out, but susceptibility of deconvolution methods to errors resulting from "statistical noise" is also stressed. So far there are no reports on normative MTT values for 99mTc-EC, although such values were already determined for ¹³¹I-OIH, 99mTc-DTPA and 99mTc-MAG3. The aim of this study is an assessment of inter- and intraobserver reproducibility of MTT and PTT for 99mTc-EC, and determination of normative values for these parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS 31 patients (17 women and 14 men aged 19-75, average 44 years) referred for dynamic renal scintigraphy with: unilateral flow impairment (11), unilateral nephrolithiasis (2), control after unilateral lithotripsy (4), moderate hypertension (demographically with > 99% probability of primary hypertension) (4), suspected cirrhosis of one kidney (3), future kidney donors (3), control after abdominal injuries (3), incontinence (1). 42 functionally efficient kidneys were included in the study. Criteria for recognition of a kidney as functionally efficient were: - no earlier history of renal disease, signs of renal damage in basic blood and urine tests, or abnormalities in ultrasonography; - normal result of dynamic renal scintigraphy (in terms of sequential images and renographic curve). MTT and PTT values were determined independently by two operators, using a matrix method for deconvolution of renographic curves. RESULTS Differences between mean MTT and PTT from two studies by one operator were insignificant and those values were closely correlated (r = 0.99 and r = 0.97, respectively). Differences of values obtained by both operators were practically insignificant for MTT (r = 0.93), and significant for PTT (r = 0.81 and p < 0.001). These differences do not disqualify that processing method. The upper limits of normative values of MTT and PTT were based on the results from first study performed by more experienced operator - 200 s and 170 s, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The procedure of processing dynamic renal scintigraphy used in this study is reproducible. Normative values of MTT and PTT for 99mTc-EC were established as 200 s and 170 s, respectively. An attempt to optimize and standardize the technique of determining parenchymal ROI in a matrix deconvolution method, followed by an evaluation of clinical usefulness of these parameters in the diagnosis of chosen renal function impairments would be a logical continuation of this initial research.
Control of extracellular polysaccharide synthesis in Erwinia stewartii and Escherichia coli K-12: a common regulatory function

A primary determinant of pathogenicity in Erwinia stewartii is the production of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS). A single mutation can abolish both EPS synthesis and pathogenicity; both properties are restored by a single cosmid clone. Subcloning and insertion analysis have defined a single positive regulatory function which shares a number of similarities with the rcsA function of Escherichia coli K-12, a positive regulator for capsular polysaccharide synthesis. In E. stewartii, the gene promotes the transcription of at least two operons (cps) involved in EPS synthesis; we have previously demonstrated a similar function for rcsA in E. coli. Both genes code for proteins of 25 to 27 kilodaltons; both proteins are unstable in E. coli. The E. stewartii RcsA protein was stabilized in E. coli lon mutants, as the RcsA product from E. coli is. The E. stewartii function complemented E. coli rcsA mutants, and the E. coli RcsA function increased cps expression and restored virulence in E. stewartii mutants. Therefore, these two gram-negative organisms share a similar component of their regulatory circuitry for the control of capsular polysaccharide synthesis.
Isolation, characterization, sequencing and crystal structure of charybdin, a type 1 ribosome‐inactivating protein from Charybdis maritima agg.

A novel, type 1 ribosome‐inactivating protein designated charybdin was isolated from bulbs of Charybdis maritima agg. The protein, consisting of a single polypeptide chain with a molecular mass of 29 kDa, inhibited translation in rabbit reticulocytes with an IC50 of 27.2 nm. Plant genomic DNA extracted from the bulb was amplified by PCR between primers based on the N‐terminal and C‐terminal sequence of the protein from dissolved crystals. The complete mature protein sequence was derived by partial DNA sequencing and terminal protein sequencing, and was confirmed by high‐resolution crystal structure analysis. The protein contains Val at position 79 instead of the conserved Tyr residue of the ribosome‐inactivating proteins known to date. To our knowledge, this is the first observation of a natural substitution of a catalytic residue at the active site of a natural ribosome‐inactivating protein. This substitution in the active site may be responsible for the relatively low in vitro translation inhibitory effect compared with other ribosome‐inactivating proteins. Single crystals were grown in the cold room from PEG6000 solutions. Diffraction data collected to 1.6 Å resolution were used to determine the protein structure by the molecular replacement method. The fold of the protein comprises two structural domains: an α + β N‐terminal domain (residues 4–190) and a mainly α‐helical C‐terminal domain (residues 191–257). The active site is located in the interface between the two domains and comprises residues Val79, Tyr117, Glu167 and Arg170.