Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structure of the magnetosome‐associated actin‐like MamK filament at subnanometer resolution

Magnetotactic bacteria possess cellular compartments called magnetosomes that sense magnetic fields. Alignment of magnetosomes in the bacterial cell is necessary for their function, and this is achieved through anchoring of magnetosomes to filaments composed of the protein MamK. MamK is an actin homolog that polymerizes upon ATP binding. Here, we report the structure of the MamK filament at ∼6.5 Å, obtained by cryo‐Electron Microscopy. This structure confirms our previously reported double‐stranded, nonstaggered architecture, and reveals the molecular basis for filament formation. While MamK is closest in sequence to the bacterial actin MreB, the longitudinal contacts along each MamK strand most closely resemble those of eukaryotic actin. In contrast, the cross‐strand interface, with a surprisingly limited set of contacts, is novel among actin homologs and gives rise to the nonstaggered architecture.
Financial Constraints and Investment-Cash Flow Sensitivity

Using a large sample of US listed companies, we show that the relation between financial constraints and investment-cash flow sensitivity is non-linear. The different results generated in previous studies could be explained by sample selection problems. We show that when using actual level of investment in the regression, as in the standard investment literature, coefficient on cash flow cannot be an accurate measure of financial constraints. The monotonic and positive relationship between financial constraints and investment-cash flow sensitivity is not robust in large-sample studies using detailed classification scheme.
Accuracy of interpretation of CT scans: comparing PACS monitor displays and hard-copy images.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the relative diagnostic accuracy of radiologists in the interpretation of CT scans using a computer workstation in comparison with using film. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four board-certified radiologists with extensive soft-copy experience interpreted 117 CT scans in four anatomic regions using films displayed on an alternator and images displayed on a four-monitor workstation. The radiologists were asked to interpret the scans in their usual fashion and were aware that both the time required to review the study and the accuracy of the reports were being assessed. The radiologists' diagnostic impressions were compared with those of a consensus panel and scored for accuracy. RESULTS Soft-copy interpretation using computer workstations was found to produce statistically significant improvement in combined measurements of sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy for chest, brain, and chest-abdominal CT scans compared with film interpretation. CONCLUSION PACS (picture archiving and communication system) offers radiologists the potential for improved accuracy in CT interpretation compared with traditional film-based interpretation.
Fis Regulates Transcriptional Induction of RpoS in Salmonella enterica

ABSTRACT The sigma factor RpoS is known to regulate at least 60 genes in response to environmental sources of stress or during growth to stationary phase (SP). Accumulation of RpoS relies on integration of multiple genetic controls, including regulation at the levels of transcription, translation, protein stability, and protein activity. Growth to SP in rich medium results in a 30-fold induction of RpoS, although the mechanism of this regulation is not understood. We characterized the activity of promoters serving rpoS in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and report that regulation of transcription during growth into SP depends on Fis, a DNA-binding protein whose abundance is high during exponential growth and very low in SP. A fis mutant of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium showed a ninefold increase in expression from the major rpoS promoter (PrpoS) during exponential growth, whereas expression during SP was unaffected. Increased transcription from PrpoS in the absence of Fis eliminated the transcriptional induction as cells enter SP. The mutant phenotype can be complemented by wild-type fis carried on a single-copy plasmid. Fis regulation of rpoS requires the presence of a Fis site positioned at −50 with respect to PrpoS, and this site is bound by Fis in vitro. A model is presented in which Fis binding to this site allows repression of rpoS specifically during exponential growth, thus mediating transcriptional regulation of rpoS.
Foreign direct investment and economic growth in Vietnam

By making use of a recently released panel dataset that covers 61 provinces of Vietnam from 1996–2005, this study examines the link between foreign direct investment and economic growth. Our analysis, which is based on a simultaneous equations model, reveals that in overall terms a mutually reinforcing two-way linkage between FDI and economic growth exists in Vietnam. However, this is not the case for each and every region of Vietnam. The results presented in this study suggest that the impact of foreign direct investment on economic growth in Vietnam will be larger if more resources are invested in education and training, financial market development and in reducing the technology gap between the foreign and local firms.
Odds ratios for hip‐ and lower forearm fracture using peripheral bone densitometry; a case–control study of postmenopausal women

Background: Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) measured at the lumbar spine and particularly at the hip remain the gold‐standard for diagnosing osteoporosis. However, devices for assessing the peripheral skeleton present several advantages in terms of lower price and portability. A major concern when using peripheral densitometry is the poor correlation with the central measurements. The main aim of this study is, therefore, to assess the possibility of expressing ultrasound measurements at the heel and bone mineral density (BMD) measured at the distal forearm as fracture odds ratios rather than an absolute measure of bone mass. Methods: A total of 76 women with lower forearm fracture, 47 women with hip fracture and 231 age‐matched women (controls) were included. All had broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) measured at the heel using the DTU‐one ultrasound scanner as well as BMD measured by dual X‐ray absorptiometry on the DTX‐200 at the distal forearm. Results: BUA, SOS and BMD at the distal forearm were all significantly lower in fracture patients compared with their respective control groups. The odds ratio for lower forearm fracture was 3·1 (95% CI: 1·8; 5·2) for heel‐BUA (T‐score cut‐off: –2·3), 4·1 (2·3; 7·4) for heel‐SOS (–2·1) and 2·2 (1·3; 3·7) for lower forearm BMD (–2·7). The odds ratio for hip fracture was 3·4 (1·5–7·7) for heel‐BUA (–2·7), 3·6 (1·6; 8·1) for heel‐SOS (–2·6) and 3·2 (1·4; 7·4) for lower forearm BMD (–2·9). Conclusion: Peripheral densitometry can discriminate between hip‐ and lower forearm fracture patients and age‐matched controls. Significantly elevated odds ratios for incurring these fractures can be calculated using device‐ and site specific t‐score cut‐off values. The results from this case–control study need to be confirmed by prospective cohort studies.
Exploring functional variant using a deep learning framework

Deep learning methods have been successfully used in a variety of different contexts and achieved state of the art performance in many different tasks. In this paper, we explore the performance of deep learning methods in the task of predicting functional genetic variant. First, we test the performance of a few types of neural network models in making prediction using only DNA sequence. The result shows that convolutional neural network (CNN) has the best performance. Second, we explore the possibility of forming a hybrid network to make prediction with both DNA sequence and evolutionary nucleotide conservation information as input. We observe a better performance than using only conservation information by applying a dropout mask for the transformed feature of DNA sequence. We further discuss this technique as a possible common solution for combining features of different powers.
Forecasting the Price of Crude Oil Via Convenience Yield Predictions

The paper develops an oil price forecasting technique which is based on the present value model of rational commodity pricing. The approach suggests shifting the forecasting problem to the marginal convenience yield which can be derived from the cost-of-carry relationship. In a recursive out-of-sample analysis, forecast accuracy at horizons within one year is checked by the root mean squared error as well as the mean error and the frequency of a correct direction-of-change prediction. For all criteria employed, the proposed forecasting tool outperforms the approach of using futures prices as direct predictors of future spot prices. Vis-a-vis the random-walk model, it does not significantly improve forecast accuracy but provides valuable statements on the direction of change.
Performance of UWB MIMO relay systems in real UWB channels

In this paper, the performance of various ultra-wideband (UWB) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) relay systems is evaluated for the first time based on UWB channel measurements. In particular, the measurement results for UWB relay channels in line-of-sight as well as non-line-of-sight indoor environments are presented. The average bit error rates of dual-hop MIMO relay systems and cooperative MIMO relay systems are examined and compared in the measured channels.
Barriers to use of information and computer technology by Australia's nurses: a national survey.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To support policy planning for health, the barriers to the use of health information and computer technology (ICT) by nurses in Australia were determined. BACKGROUND Australia, in line with many countries, aims to achieve a better quality of care and health outcomes through effective and innovative use of health information. Nurses form the largest component of the health workforce. Successful adoption of ICT by nurses will be a requirement for success. No national study has been undertaken to determine the barriers to adoption. DESIGN A self-administered postal survey was conducted. METHOD A questionnaire was distributed to 10,000 members of the Australian Nursing Federation. Twenty possible barriers to the use of health ICT uptake were offered and responses were given on a five point Likert scale. RESULTS Work demands, access to computers and lack of support were the principal barriers faced by nurses to their adoption of the technology in the workplace. Factors that were considered to present few barriers included age and lack of interest. While age was not considered by the respondents to be a barrier, their age was positively correlated with several barriers, including knowledge and confidence in the use of computers. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that to use the information and computer technologies being brought into health care fully, barriers that prevent the principal users from embracing those technologies must be addressed. Factors such as the age of the nurse and their level of job must be considered when developing strategies to overcome barriers. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The findings of the present study provide essential information not only for national government and state health departments but also for local administrators and managers to enable clinical nurses to meet present and future job requirements.
Interpretation of Hospital Nurse Fatigue Using Latent Profile Analysis

There has been a lack of consensus in the literature related to the conceptualization, definition, and measurement of hospital nurse fatigue. Using latent profile analysis, the Hospital Nurse Force Theory provided a conceptual format to identify 3 profiles of nurse fatigue from subjective reports of hospital patient care nurses in a survey cohort. All fatigue and adaptation variables demonstrated significant inverse relationships. Describing nurse fatigue in profiles that include measures of acute, chronic, physical, and mental fatigue dimensions provided a new and expanded view of nurse fatigue to monitor trends comprehensively and evaluate fatigue risk management strategies.
Global potential to increase crop production through water management in rainfed agriculture

This modeling study explores—spatially explicitly, for current and projected future climate, and for different management intensity levels—the potential for increasing global crop production through on-farm water management strategies: (a) reducing soil evaporation (‘vapor shift’) and (b) collecting runoff on cropland and using it during dry spells (‘runoff harvesting’). A moderate scenario, implying both a 25% reduction in evaporation and a 25% collection of runoff, suggests that global crop production can be increased by 19%, which is comparable with the effect of current irrigation (17%). Climate change alone (three climate models, SRES A2r emissions and population, constant land use) will reduce global crop production by 9% by 2050, which could be buffered by a vapor shift level of 50% or a water harvesting level of 25%. Even if realization of the beneficial effects of rising atmospheric CO2 concentration upon plants was ensured (by fertilizer use) in tandem with the above moderate water management scenario, the water available on current cropland will not meet the requirements of a world population of 9–10 billion.
Nation-Building and Curriculum Reform in Hong Kong and Taiwan

Recent changes in the relationships of Hong Kong and Taiwan to mainland China have presented education policy-makers in both territories with problems of reforming school curricula in areas of teaching that are important for the formation of national identity. While both territories are subject to claims that they are part of China, both have also been separated from the Chinese mainland for long periods, and in recent years their relationships with it have been undergoing fundamental changes. Hong Kong's relationship with China has become closer due to economic integration with the hinterland and the 1997 transfer of sovereignty. Taiwan's identification as a part of China, on the other hand, has become increasingly uncertain as the process of liberalization and democratization that began in 1986 has allowed sovereignty to be practised by the residents of the island and a sense of “Taiwan consciousness” (Taiwan yishi) to develop.
Gender and salary: A study of accountants in Japan

Increasing globalization exerts pressures on countries toward social and cultural convergence. Such homogenizing forces are particularly visible at the macro and policy levels. In response to such pressures, Japan introduced an ambitious ‘Plan for Gender Equality’ in 1996. Significant differences in culture, however, between Japan and the western countries that it trades with may make gender equality more difficult to achieve. A recent report ranking Japan 32nd in terms of the GEM, an international measure of gender equality, reveals the problems Japan has encountered in attempting to achieve gender equality. The accounting profession in Japan is a relatively new profession that women have successfully entered in large numbers in recent years. As a new profession, it thus may be freer of entrenched cultural constraints enabling gender-equality efforts to have greater impact. Using data obtained from 235 professional accountants in Japan, we investigated the existence of a pay differential between male and female accountants, and the relationships between human capital factors, gender, and accountants' salary. We also explored the existence of gender-based differences in pay satisfaction.
A Preventive Approach for Solving Battery Imbalance Issue by Using a Bidirectional Multiple-Input Ćuk Converter Working in DCVM

State of charge (SoC) imbalance among batteries in a battery energy storage system (BESS) degrades the system performance and may lead to safety issue. A bidirectional multiple-input Ćuk converter for the BESS is proposed to prevent batteries from SoC imbalance issue. Compared to the traditional BESS, the battery balancing and voltage/current regulation subsystems are combined into one. As a result, the overall system complexity is significantly reduced. Moreover, the current flow of each battery is self-adjusted according to its terminal voltage. Therefore, the system does not require sophisticated control algorithm for battery balancing. Moreover, the proposed system has no energy dumping and energy transferring between batteries, which avoids unnecessary energy lose. Due to the nature of multiple-input converter structure, the proposed system can handle certain component failure. The proposed approach of designing the BESS has been investigated through simulation and validated experimentally.
Addressing R&D investment decisions: a cross analysis of R&D project selection methods

Purpose – A large number of methodologies for R&D project selection have been developed and reported in the literature over the last few decades, and it has become a very popular research topic since the 1960s. The aim of this paper is to classify and characterize the determining aspects behind the research and development project selection process.Design/methodology/approach – After carefully reviewing the literature and analysing the latest contributions the paper identifies the key issues for the comparison of the existing techniques used to evaluate alternative projects and portfolios of R&D projects. In the second phase the main selection methods (including the latest project portfolio optimisation approaches) are reviewed and critically compared.Findings – The strengths, weaknesses, limitations and practicality of the methods analysed allow managers to choose the project selection model appropriate for their specific problems. Some integrated models (hybrid approach) and the latest solutions could f.
Early Childhood Services in the OECD Countries: Review of the literature and current policy in the early childhood field

The aim of this publication is to provide a review of the literature and current policies of early childhood education and care in the economically most advanced countries of the world. The introductory chapter provides some basic definitions: what is meant by 'early childhood services' both in the narrow sense of care and education services for young children (family day care, childcare centres, pre-primary educational services, integrated services, etc.) and in the wider sense of services supporting the holistic development of young children. Subsequent chapters address: the rights and well-being of young children; the economic and social context of children's services; state investment in early childhood services. Chapter 2 addresses the question of the rights and well-being of young children. Chapter 3 explores the economic and social context of children's services, and seek to explain the contemporary focus on the upbringing and education of young children. Chapter 4 provides a rationale for substantial state investment in early childhood services. Chapter 5 recalls briefly the promise that participation in high-quality early childhood services holds for the individual child and at a wider level, for society as a whole. A short conclusion proposes a dynamic social market model that brings together the dynamism and choice that market approaches can present with the strong investment, effective control and equity in access that public systems have traditionally offered in several countries.
Gas Pressure Calculations for Sealed Transformers Under Varying Load Conditions

Pressure changes in the gas space of sealed transformers are discussed, and the necessary formulas to compute the equilibrium pressure corresponding to a given load condition are derived. It is shown that when gas solubility effects are included, the equilibrium pressure computed is appreciably different from the pressure computed otherwise. Computation of gas space pressure from gas-in-oil analysis data is also discussed.
PESCA: a peer-to-peer social network architecture with privacy-enabled social communication and data availability

The major challenge in current online social networks (OSNs) is privacy violation by OSN providers or unauthorised users. OSN providers collect unprecedented amounts of personal information for targeted advertising. Moreover, users are not able to share their social data with their friends with complete access control. Peer-to-peer (P2P) infrastructure is an interesting solution for a big-brother-free alternative to current OSN designs. However, the fundamental nature of P2P systems has dynamic peer turn-over which results in data unavailability. Additionally, users’ data must be available in the OSN when authorised data audiences want to access them. For these reasons, we propose a P2P-OSN architecture which is composed of a privacy enabled setup for users’ social communications and an adaptive replica placement strategy for ensuring availability for users’ shared data. The proposed framework correlates the availability of shared content in the P2P-OSN to the access control assigned to them. Our evaluations show the proposed P2P-OSN has considerable improvements in providing data privacy and availability compared with the existing approaches.
Can false memories spontaneously recover?

Can false memories that were suppressed at one time spontaneously recover at a later time? Fuzzy trace theory and activation-monitoring theory predict that false memories in the Deese, Roediger, and McDermott (DRM) procedure become substantially reduced as list learning progresses because participants employ a memory-editing process. It follows that if the editing process is rendered less effective, false memories should spontaneously recover. We found that after DRM lists were well learned and false recognition to critical words was substantially reduced by multiple study–test trials, those false memories spontaneously recovered when participants were either rushed or delayed on a retest. We attributed the reduction in false recognition over trials to a memory-editing process that suppresses false recognition as participants gradually learn which words were in the lists and which words, though similar, were not. Rushing or delaying the participants on a retest made it more difficult for them to edit their memory, and false memories spontaneously returned.
Exploration of direct and indirect associations of system-level policy-amenable variables with reading literacy performance

As expectations of the economic impact of educational attainment are soaring (Hanushek & Woessmann, 2009) and conjectures about successful national educational reforms (Mourshed, Chijioke, & Barber, 2010) are welcomed by educational policy-makers in many countries, a careful assessment of the empirical evidence for these kinds of claims is needed. In this article, we present a methodology that was applied to an international data set. A multi-level model of education was used to present a hypothetical scenario, indicated as the “implementation scenario”. The scenario was tested on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2009 data set by means of multi-level structural equation modelling. Although we find some evidence for direct effects and some support for straightforward implementation, the overall impact of malleable conditions at the system and school level appears disappointingly small. A theoretical strand of literature that would account for “limited malleability” is referred to in discussing these results.