Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mutagenesis and carcinogenesis caused by the oxidation of nucleic acids

Abstract Genomes and their precursor nucleotides are highly exposed to reactive oxygen species, which are generated both as byproducts of oxygen respiration or molecular executors in the host defense, and by environmental exposure to ionizing radiation and chemicals. To counteract such oxidative damage in nucleic acids, mammalian cells are equipped with three distinct enzymes. MTH1 protein hydrolyzes oxidized purine nucleoside triphosphates, such as 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine triphosphate and 2-hydroxy-2′-deoxyadenosine triphosphate (2-OH-dATP), to the corresponding monophosphates. We observed increased susceptibility to spontaneous carcinogenesis in MTH1-null mice, which exhibit an increased occurrence of A:T→C:G and G:C→T:A transversion mutations. 8-Oxoguanine (8-oxoG) DNA glycosylase, encoded by the OGG1 gene, and adenine DNA glycosylase, encoded by the MUTYH gene, are responsible for the suppression of G:C to T:A transversions caused by the accumulation of 8-oxoG in the genome. Deficiency of these enzymes leads to increased tumorigenesis in the lung and intestinal tract in mice, respectively. MUTYH deficiency may also increase G:C to T:A transversions through the misincorporation of 2-OH-dATP, especially in the intestinal tract, since MUTYH can excise 2-hydroxyadenine opposite guanine in genomic DNA and the repair activity is selectively impaired by a mutation found in patients with autosomal recessive colorectal adenomatous polyposis.
Named Entity Sequence Classification

Named Entity Recognition (NER) aims at locating and classifying named entities in text. In some use cases of NER, including cases where detected named entities are used in creating content recommendations, it is crucial to have a reliable confidence level for the detected named entities. In this work we study the problem of finding confidence levels for detected named entities. We refer to this problem as Named Entity Sequence Classification (NESC). We frame NESC as a binary classification problem and we use NER as well as recurrent neural networks to find the probability of candidate named entity is a real named entity. We apply this approach to Tweet texts and we show how we could find named entities with high confidence levels from Tweets.
Congress: The Electoral Connection

In this second edition to a book that has now achieved canonical status, David R. Mayhew argues that the principal motivation of legislators is reelection and that the pursuit of this goal affects the way they behave and the way that they make public policy. In a new foreword for this edition, R. Douglas Arnold discusses why the book revolutionized the study of Congress and how it has stood the test of time. The book also contains a new preface by the author.
Earnings Management in Family Firms: Evidence From R&D Cost Capitalization in Italy

Recent accounting-related scandals have underscored the prevalence of earnings management in financial markets. This article provides empirical evidence on the motivations for earnings management in publicly listed family companies, highlighting the differences from public nonfamily firms. Basing our predictions on an analysis of the salient characteristics of family firms in both an agency and a stewardship framework, we hypothesize that family firms are less sensitive to income-smoothing motivations than are nonfamily firms, while they are similarly motivated to manage earnings for debt-covenant and leverage-related reasons. We test our hypotheses by looking at a specific accrual, R&D cost capitalization, where statistical tests confirm our hypothesized relationships.
A Test for Long-Term Cyclical Clustering of Stock Market Regimes

This paper finds that observed monthly United States stock index returns are consistent with an underlying mechanism of shifts in regimes amongst multiple states with differing means and volatility. An issue of especial interest is whether long-term clustering of regimes gives rise to stock market cycles. The paper therefore introduces a likelihood ratio test for long-term clustering of regimes. Clustering of regime presence tends to involve much longer term cycles than the bull and bear market cycles identified by Pagan and Sossounov (2003), thus extending the research issues that are associated with the analysis of mean returns using multiple state regime-switching models.
A Complete Solution Procedure for a Replenishment Policy with Deteriorating Items, Stock-Dependent Consumption Rate and Shortages Under Infl ation and Time Discounting

Abstract Hou [European Journal of Operational Research 168 (2006) 463-474] developed an inventory model for deteriorating items with stock-dependent consumption rate and shortages under inflation and time discounting. This paper will discuss the inventory model which is as same as that of Hou [7]. The main purpose of this note is to present a complete theorem and show the optimal solution k* exists and is unique. In addition, a few minor misprints in Hou [7] will also be corrected in this note. Finally, a numerical example is used to illustrate the application of this proposed model.
Development and Evaluation of Fluorogenic TaqMan Reverse Transcriptase PCR Assays for Detection of Dengue Virus Types 1 to 4

ABSTRACT The fluorogenic TaqMan reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) assay was developed for detecting each of the dengue virus (DV) types 1 to 4. DV genome was detected in all the 35 serum samples from confirmed dengue cases by the TaqMan RT-PCR, although it was not detected in 13 and 21% by conventional type-specific and cross-reactive RT-PCR, respectively.
Participation and Impact of Poverty-Oriented Public Works Projects in Rural Malawi

This article reports on factors influencing participation in the poverty-oriented public works programme in rural Malawi and analyses the determinants of the revealed positive socio-economic impact among the participants. The programme targets poor households through self-selection by offering a wage below the official minimum for rural areas. The empirical results show that most participants are poor and with little education. Probability of particpation is higher for members of female-headed households and households with longer periods of food insecurity, excess supply of labour, few assets and reservation wages below the wage offered in the programme. Taking account of selectivity bias, the impact of the programme increases with the gender (female) of participants and the numbers per household participating.
NG2 proteoglycan is expressed exclusively by mural cells during vascular morphogenesis

Immunofluorescence mapping demonstrates that the NG2 proteoglycan is invariably expressed by the mural cell component of mouse neovascular structures. This pattern is independent of the developmental mechanism responsible for formation of the vasculature (vasculogenesis or angiogenesis). Thus, NG2 is expressed in the embryonic heart by cardiomyocytes, in developing macrovasculature by smooth muscle cells, and in nascent microvessels by vascular pericytes. Due to the scarcity of proven markers for developing pericytes, NG2 is especially useful for identification of this cell type. The utility of NG2 as a pericyte marker is illustrated by two observations. First, pericytes are associated with endothelial tubes at an early point in microvessel development. This early interaction between pericytes and endothelial cells has important implications for the role of pericytes in the development and stabilization of microvascular tubes. Second, the pericyte to endothelial cell ratio in developing capillaries varies from tissue to tissue. Because the extent of pericyte investment is likely to affect the physical properties of the vessel in question, it is important to understand the mechanisms that control this process. Additional insight into these and other aspects of vascular morphogenesis should be possible through use of NG2 as a mural cell marker. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Skill Premia and Intergenerational Skill Transmission: The French Case

In the case of France, we analyse the changes (i) in the skill premium linked to each level of education and (ii) in the impact of parents’ skill and income upon the educational attainment of their children. To this end, we build a theoretical model which is subsequently estimated. Our calculations firstly reveal (i) a critical decline in the skill premium of the Baccalaureate in relation to the lowest skill level, and (ii) an increase in the skill premia of higher education in relation to the Baccalaureate, which however is not large enough to avoid the decrease in all the skill premia relative to the lowest skill. Secondly, we find (i) a significant increase in the impact of the family backgrounds upon the individuals’ education from 1993 to 2003 which essentially derives from a higher impact of parental income upon the educational attainment, and (ii) an increase in the impact of public expenditure upon education. Consequently, if inequality has decreased among the employed population, the slowdown in intergenerational mobility could reverse this tendency in the longer term. This may however be offset by higher public educational expenditure.
Competence Building and Corporate Renewal

In 1996, the French business publication “Capital” carried an analysis of what it called “the resurrection of the dinosaurs”: the revival of corporations that had been viewed as moribund. Examples abound in every industrialised country: Chrysler, IBM or General Electric in the United States and Usinor-Sacilor, Siemens or Fiat in Europe. What strategies are behind these cases of revival? This article describes how, starting in 1993, a French company sought to renew itself by implementing one particular strategy which has been widely discussed among managers and academics alike: competence building. It then discusses the general lessons which can be drawn from the case. In particular, the article aims to reveal empirically the relationship between competence building and the corporate renewal process and then to use the case history to help develop the theory of competence-based competition between firms.
Immunologic Applications of Conditional Gene Modification Technology in the Mouse

Since the success of homologous recombination in altering mouse genome and the discovery of Cre‐loxP system, the combination of these two breakthroughs has created important applications for studying the immune system in the mouse. Here, we briefly summarize the general principles of this technology and its applications in studying immune cell development and responses; such implications include conditional gene knockout and inducible and/or tissue‐specific gene over‐expression, as well as lineage fate mapping. We then discuss the pros and cons of a few commonly used Cre‐expressing mouse lines for studying lymphocyte development and functions. We also raise several general issues, such as efficiency of gene deletion, leaky activity of Cre, and Cre toxicity, all of which may have profound impacts on data interpretation. Finally, we selectively list some useful links to the Web sites as valuable mouse resources. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 105:10.34. 1‐10.34. 13. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A bias correction for covariance estimators to improve inference with generalized estimating equations that use an unstructured correlation matrix

Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) are routinely used for the marginal analysis of correlated data. The efficiency of GEE depends on how closely the working covariance structure resembles the true structure, and therefore accurate modeling of the working correlation of the data is important. A popular approach is the use of an unstructured working correlation matrix, as it is not as restrictive as simpler structures such as exchangeable and AR‐1 and thus can theoretically improve efficiency. However, because of the potential for having to estimate a large number of correlation parameters, variances of regression parameter estimates can be larger than theoretically expected when utilizing the unstructured working correlation matrix. Therefore, standard error estimates can be negatively biased. To account for this additional finite‐sample variability, we derive a bias correction that can be applied to typical estimators of the covariance matrix of parameter estimates. Via simulation and in application to a longitudinal study, we show that our proposed correction improves standard error estimation and statistical inference. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
QUANTIFYING THE IMPACTS OF STRUCTURAL REFORMS ON AIR TRAFFIC FLOWS IN APEC ECONOMIES

This paper constructs two sets of policy indices to quantify the restrictiveness of an economy’s aviation environment, which are then used to establish the relationship between the movement of people and goods movement and liberalisation in policy. With a sample of APEC economies, evidence has been found that the traffic flows in the region have been hampered by a series of restrictive air transport policies.
ICT and productivity in Europe and the United States. Where do the differences come from

In this paper we analyse labour productivity growth in 51 industries in European countries and the United States. Using shift-share techniques we identify the industries in which the U.S. is leading most strongly. With a detailed decomposition analysis we identify whether the sources of the U.S. advantage are due to faster productivity growth, higher industry productivity levels relative to the country aggregate, different employment shares or faster change in employment shares of rapidly growing industries. The results show that U.S. productivity has grown faster than in the EU because of a larger employment share in the ICT producing sector and faster productivity growth in services industries that make intensive use of ICT. Wholesale and retail trade and the financial securities industry account for most of the difference in aggregate productivity growth between the EU and the U.S. (JEL N10, O47, O57)
Beneficial Effects of Melatonin on the In Vitro Maturation of Sheep Oocytes and Its Relation to Melatonin Receptors

(1) Background: The binding sites of melatonin, as a multifunctional molecule, have been identified in human, porcine, and bovine samples. However, the binding sites and mechanisms of melatonin have not been reported in sheep; (2) Methods: Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in TCM-199 supplemented with melatonin at concentrations of 0, 10−3, 10−5, 10−7, 10−9, and 10−11 M. Melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) were evaluated via immunofluorescence and Western blot. The effects of melatonin on cumulus cell expansion, nuclear maturation, embryo development, and related gene (GDF9, DNMT1, PTX3, HAS2, and EGFR) expression were investigated. The level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were evaluated in oocytes and cumulus, respectively; (3) Results: Both MT1 and MT2 were expressed in oocytes, cumulus cells, and granulosa cells. Melatonin with a concentration of 10−7 M significantly enhanced the rates of nuclear maturation, cumulus cells expansion, cleavage, and blastocyst. Melatonin enhanced the expression of BMP15 in oocytes and of PTX3, HAS2, and EGFR in cumulus cells. Melatonin decreased the cAMP level of oocytes but enhanced the cGMP level in oocytes and cumulus cells; (4) Conclusion: The higher presence of MT1 in GV cumulus cells and the beneficial effects of melatonin indicated that its roles in regulating sheep oocyte maturation may be mediated mainly by the MT1 receptor.
Food consumption impacts of adherence to dietary norms in the United States: a quantitative assessment

Promotion of adherence to healthy-eating norms has become an important element of nutrition policy in the United States and other developed countries. We assess the potential consumption impacts of adherence to a set of recommended dietary norms in the United States using a mathematical programming approach. We find that adherence to recommended dietary norms would involve significant changes in diets, with large reductions in the consumption of fats and oils along with large increases in the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and cereals. Compliance with norms recommended by the World Health Organization for energy derived from sugar would involve sharp reductions in sugar intakes. We also analyze how dietary adjustments required vary across demographic groups. Most socio-demographic characteristics appear to have relatively little influence on the pattern of adjustment required to comply with norms. Income levels have little effect on required dietary adjustments. Education is the only characteristic to have a significant influence on the magnitude of adjustments required. The least educated rather than the poorest have to bear the highest burden of adjustment. Our analysis suggests that fiscal measures like nutrient-based taxes may not be as regressive as commonly believed. Dissemination of healthy-eating norms to the less educated will be a key challenge for nutrition policy. Copyright 2007 International Association of Agricultural Economists.
The European Parliament: In need of a theory

The legislative organization of the European Parliament (EP) has far-reaching implications for its ability to solve the democratic deficit problem of the European Union (EU). Recognizing that, this article reviews the literature on the EP organization with a view to consolidating existing knowledge and identifying outstanding research gaps. It calls for a new generation of research to go beyond the congressional theoretical literature and develop theoretical accounts of the EP's internal organizational adaptation in response to its rising legislative powers and the development of true EU bicameralism. Generalizing such accounts can add to broader theories of legislative organization, which have hitherto failed to explicitly incorporate the effect of external (institutional) developments in their predictions.
The influence of the economic crisis on quality of care for older people: system readiness for innovation in Europe

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of the recent economic crisis on the quality of long-term care for older people in Belgium and the Netherlands. A mixed-method approach was applied, primarily focused on conducting semi-structured qualitative interviews with health professionals working in a management role in organizations providing long-term care for older people. The results show that Dutch organizations seem to be prepared for the influences of the economic crisis on the quality of its care provision primarily in terms of a sound system readiness. At the same time, Belgian organizations seem to be prepared for the influences of the economic crisis on the quality of its care provision primarily in terms of a favorable sociopolitical context. Comparing two countries allows for reciprocal lesson-drawing. The conclusion drawn in this study is that a sustainable long-term care system requires above all stability and structure.
Less-calibration Wi-Fi-based indoor positioning

Fingerprint-based indoor positioning technique is one of sustainable approaches to provide highly accurate information about mobile user's location. However, it requires the constructing of a high-resolution radio map, which is time consuming and labor intensive. In this paper, a novel less-calibration Wi-Fi-based indoor positioning is proposed. The new technique takes advantage of regular mobile users' movement inside the environment to build the radio map. During these movements mobile users can measure and record received signal strength (RSS) from available wireless access points. The radio map will be adapted to environment changes using the recent collected RSSs data. The proposed algorithm does not use extra hardware (e.g., accelerometer, magnetometer) to exploit the collected RSSs. Experimental results showed that the proposed technique can be used to build the radio map with surveying only one-third of the area of interest (about two-third of the effort is reduced). The achieved localization error and location precision are competitive with the current proposed solutions.
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ and Margins <2 mm: Contemporary Outcomes With Breast Conservation

Objective: To determine the relationship between negative margin width and locoregional recurrence (LRR) in a contemporary cohort of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients. Background: Recent national consensus guidelines recommend an optimal margin width of 2 mm or greater for the management of DCIS; however, controversy regarding re-excision remains when managing negative margins <2 mm. Methods: One thousand four hundred ninety-one patients with DCIS who underwent breast-conserving surgery from 1996 to 2010 were identified from a prospectively managed cancer center database and analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models to determine the relationship between negative margin width and LRR with or without adjuvant radiation therapy (RT). Results: A univariate analysis revealed that age <40 years (n = 89; P = 0.02), no RT (n = 298; P = 0.01), and negative margin width <2 mm (n = 120; P = 0.005) were associated with LRR. The association between margin width and LRR differed by adjuvant RT status (interaction P = 0.02). There was no statistical significant difference in LRR between patients with <2 mm and ≥2 mm negative margins who underwent RT (10-yr LRR rate, 4.8% vs 3.3%, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.2–3.2; P = 0.72). For patients who did not undergo RT, those with margins <2 mm were significantly more likely to develop a LRR than were those with margins ≥2 mm (10-yr LRR rate, 30.9% vs 5.4%, respectively; hazard ratio, 5.5; 95% CI, 1.8–16.8, P = 0.003). Conclusions: Routine additional surgery may not be justified for patients with negative margins <2 mm who undergo RT but should be performed in patients who forego RT.
Comparison of image-derived and arterial input functions for estimating the rate of glucose metabolism in therapy-monitoring 18F-FDG PET studies.

UNLABELLED The use of dynamic (18)F-FDG PET to determine changes in tumor metabolism requires tumor and plasma time-activity curves. Because arterial sampling is invasive and laborious, our aim was to validate noninvasive image-derived input functions (IDIFs). METHODS We obtained 136 dynamic (18)F-FDG PET scans of 76 oncologic patients. IDIFs were determined using volumes of interest over the left ventricle, ascending aorta, and abdominal aorta. The tumor metabolic rate of glucose (MRGlu) was determined with the Patlak analysis, using arterial plasma time-activity curves and IDIFs. RESULTS MRGlu using all 3 IDIFs showed a high correlation with MRGlu based on arterial sampling. Comparability between the measures was also high, with the intraclass correlation coefficient being 0.98 (95% confidence interval, 0.97-0.99) for the ascending aorta IDIF, 0.94 (0.92-0.96) for the left ventricle IDIF, and 0.96 (0.93-0.98) for the abdominal aorta IDIF. CONCLUSION The use of IDIFs is accurate and simple and represents a clinically viable alternative to arterial blood sampling.