Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytoplasmic Domain of Influenza B Virus BM2 Protein Plays Critical Roles in Production of Infectious Virus

ABSTRACT Influenza B virus BM2 is a type III integral membrane protein that displays H+ ion channel activity. Analysis of BM2 knockout mutants has suggested that this protein is a necessary component for the capture of M1-viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complex at the plasma membrane and for incorporation of vRNP complex into the virion during the assembly process. BM2 comprises 109 amino acid residues and possesses a longer cytoplasmic domain than the other 3 integral membrane proteins (hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, and NB). To explore whether the cytoplasmic domain of BM2 is important for infectious virus production, a series of BM2 deletion mutants lacking three to nine amino acid residues at the carboxyl terminus, BM2Δ107-109, BM2Δ104-109, and BM2Δ101-109, was generated by reverse genetics. Intracellular transport and incorporation into virions were indistinguishable between truncated BM2 proteins and wild-type BM2. The BM2Δ107-109 mutant produced levels of infectious virus similar to those of wild-type virus and displayed a spherical shape. However, the BM2Δ104-109 and BM2Δ101-109 mutants produced viruses containing dramatically reduced vRNP complex, as with BM2 knockout mutants, and formed enlarged, irregularly shaped virions. Moreover, gradient separation of membranes indicated that membrane association of M1 from mutants was greatly affected by carboxyl-terminal truncations of BM2. Studies of alanine substitution mutants further suggested that amino acid sequences in the 98-109 region are variable while those in the 86-97 region are a prerequisite for innate BM2 function. These results indicate that the cytoplasmic domain of the BM2 protein is required for firm association of the M1 protein with lipid membranes, vRNP complex incorporation into virions, and virion morphology.
Comparative effectiveness of novel oral anticoagulants in UK patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease: a matched cohort study

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) among patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), particularly those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Design Population-based matched cohort study. Setting Over 670 primary care practices in the UK, contributing to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Participants Up to 6818 adult patients newly treated with NOACs between 2011 and 2016, matched 1:1 to new users of VKAs on age, sex and high-dimensional propensity score. Interventions Current exposure to NOACs compared with current exposure to VKAs. Main outcome measures HRs of ischaemic stroke and systemic embolism (SE), major bleeding, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, intracranial bleeding, myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality. Results In as-treated analyses, the rates of ischaemic stroke/SE were similar between NOACs and VKAs (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.62 to 1.42), as were the rates of major bleeding (HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.56 to 1.33). NOACs also significantly increased the risk of GI bleeding (HR 1.78; 95% CI 1.27 to 2.48). In patients with NVAF and CKD, NOACs and VKAs remained comparable with respect to the risk of ischaemic stroke/SE (HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.40 to 1.58) and major bleeding (HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.47 to 1.62), with no difference in the risk of GI bleeding (HR 0.99; 95% CI 0.63 to 1.55). Similar results were obtained in on-treatment analyses using a time-dependent exposure definition. Conclusions Our results suggest that in the UK primary care, NOACs are overall effective and safe alternatives to VKAs, among patients with NVAF altogether, as well as in patients with NVAF and CKD.
Perceptions of effective and ineffective nurse-physician communication in hospitals.

PROBLEM Nurse-physician communication affects patient safety. Such communication has been well studied using a variety of survey and observational methods; however, missing from the literature is an investigation of what constitutes effective and ineffective interprofessional communication from the perspective of the professionals involved. The purpose of this study was to explore nurse and physician perceptions of effective and ineffective communication between the two professions. METHODS Using focus group methodology, we asked nurses and physicians with at least 5 years' acute care hospital experience to reflect on effective and ineffective interprofessional communication and to provide examples. Three focus groups were held with 6 participants each (total sample 18). Sessions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded into categories of effective and ineffective communication. FINDINGS The following themes were found. For effective communication: clarity and precision of message that relies on verification, collaborative problem solving, calm and supportive demeanor under stress, maintenance of mutual respect, and authentic understanding of the unique role. For ineffective communication: making someone less than, dependence on electronic systems, and linguistic and cultural barriers. CONCLUSION These themes may be useful in designing learning activities to promote effective interprofessional communication.
S-Shaped Complementary Split Ring Resonators and Their Application to Compact Differential Bandpass Filters With Common-Mode Suppression

This letter presents an S-shaped complementary split ring resonator (S-CSRR) for application in compact differential filters. The working principle of the proposed S-CSRR is explained and a circuit model is developed and validated through electromagnetic simulations. It is shown that an S-CSRR-loaded differential microstrip line with series gaps can be used in the design of compact differential bandpass filters (BPFs) with common-mode suppression. The filter design procedure is explained and the theoretical concept is validated through fabrication and measurement of a compact (0.09λg ×0.25 λg) third-order differential BPF with common-mode suppression.
Structural Basis for Sequence-specific DNA Recognition by an Arabidopsis WRKY Transcription Factor*

Background: The WRKY transcription factors recognize the W-box DNA element in target genes. Results: We determined the NMR solution structure of the WRKY DNA-binding domain of Arabidopsis WRKY4 in complex with W-box DNA. Conclusion: Apolar contacts by residues in the conserved WRKYGQK motif with thymine methyl groups are important in recognition of the W-box sequence. Significance: This is the first structure of the WRKY-DNA complex. The WRKY family transcription factors regulate plant-specific reactions that are mostly related to biotic and abiotic stresses. They share the WRKY domain, which recognizes a DNA element (TTGAC(C/T)) termed the W-box, in target genes. Here, we determined the solution structure of the C-terminal WRKY domain of Arabidopsis WRKY4 in complex with the W-box DNA by NMR. A four-stranded β-sheet enters the major groove of DNA in an atypical mode termed the β-wedge, where the sheet is nearly perpendicular to the DNA helical axis. Residues in the conserved WRKYGQK motif contact DNA bases mainly through extensive apolar contacts with thymine methyl groups. The importance of these contacts was verified by substituting the relevant T bases with U and by surface plasmon resonance analyses of DNA binding.
Bearing Degradation Evaluation Using Recurrence Quantification Analysis and Kalman Filter

This paper presents an integrated approach, which combines recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) with the Kalman filter, for bearing degradation evaluation. The RQA, a nonlinear signal processing method, is applied to extracting recurrence plot entropy features from vibration signals as input to build an autoregression (AR) model. This AR model is used to estimate parameters of the dynamic model of the bearing, and the Kalman filter is then utilized to obtain optimal prediction results on the bearing degradation state from its dynamic model. Case studies performed on two test-to-failure experiments indicate that the presented approach can predict occurrence of the bearing failure 50 min in advance.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE IFRS IN INDIA

In this article the authors study the impact of the mandatory International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) adoption has on the value relevance of accounting numbers based on a sample of 440 listed firms. The aim is to identify the effects of the mandatory IFRS adoption by relying on panel data gathered over the period 2002 to 2012 resulting in more than 4,840 firm-year observations. Two models of Panel regression (stock returns and price models) were employed. The main finding shows that the adoption of IFRS across the studied period results to some improvement in the value relevance of accounting information with the stock return model. With respect to the price models, our result shows that there was slight difference in the value relevance of accounting information after the mandatory IFR adoption across India listed firms.
HRM and IR in Multinational Corporations: Uneasy Bedfellows?

As multinational corporations operate in multiple countries, headquarters must take into account differences in local settings when seeking the means to coordinate and control subsidiaries. The local system of industrial relations sets the framework for what kind of human resource management a multinational corporation can implement. Yet another question is whether the still stronger multinationals can change the existing systems of industrial relations, directly or indirectly. The paper analyzes four Danish enterprises over a ten-year period. This longitudinal study shows that none of the multinationals directly try to interfere in local industrial relations. However, by exercising their management prerogative in a way that differs from the Northern European tradition of industrial relations, they do influence the cooperation between employers and employees. In particular, the results show that a shift from a stakeholder to a shareholder management style and the increased degree of HQ control have an effect on the whole cooperative atmosphere in each of the companies. In the long run, they may affect the collective bargaining system as such.
Random matrix theory inspired passive bistatic radar detection of low-rank signals

For passive bistatic radar with a noisy reference signal, we propose a singular value decomposition (SVD) and Eigen detector that significantly outperforms the conventional cross-correlation detector. We consider the scenario when the signals of opportunity across several independent snapshots/pulses span a low-rank signal space. The target reflectivity is assumed to change independently from one pulse to another within a processing interval. We demonstrate this performance improvement through extensive numerical simulations across various surveillance and reference signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regimes.
Identification of Interarea Modes From Ringdown Data by Curve-Fitting in the Frequency Domain

Low damping ratios of interarea modes in the power system result in peaks at their natural frequencies in the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) representation of ringdown data. This has been a motivation to develop a nonparametric DFT-based modal identification method. However, this method has difficulty estimating damping ratios. This paper proposes a parametric DFT-based method to solve such a problem in the non-parametric one. To effectively remove the decaying dc component in ringdown data, the proposed method uses a difference sequence between two sets of ringdown frequency data with oscillation against each other. This method estimates coefficients of the numerator and denominator in the Laplace transform of the frequency difference sequence by curve-fitting of DFT values around peak frequencies. Then, modal natural frequencies and damping ratios are calculated from estimated coefficients of the denominator. This method is compared to a non-parametric DFT-based method and a Prony-based method through simulations on the signal-to-noise ratio and is applied to identify real power systems from ringdown frequency data in the Frequency Monitoring Network system.
Blame the bankers? An empirical study of cyclical credit quality

We test the hypothesis that credit quality deteriorates during credit booms. The test case is a pronounced cycle in connection with a banking crisis, ranked among the most extreme in international studies. A unique data set allows us to rate household borrowers during the cycle, and aggregate the ratings to the macroeconomic level. The post-crisis period is also studied to find changes in credit quality. The method reveals significant variation in average ratings of household borrowers during the crisis cycle and its aftermath. We find that ‘point-in-time’ ratings, calculated with realised data, do not indicate deterioration in average credit quality during the credit boom. In contrast, ‘through-the-cycle’ ratings, constructed by using data that is cleaned from cyclical variation, behave in accordance with the hypothesis. By all measures used, a significant improvement in the average quality of borrowers is found during the post-crisis period.
Interrogation of Undersensing for an Underactuated Dynamical System

This paper reports on a challenging application that uses shape memory alloy (SMA) wire to function simultaneously both as actuator and sensor in an underactuated system. The study highlights the potential of SMA to operate an open-loop unstable, highly nonlinear complex dynamical system with the focus of reducing cost, weight, and system complexity. To authenticate this concept, the system under consideration is the well-known classical control problem-ball balancing beam system instrumented with self-sensing SMA wires. The proposed mechatronic system design is tuned and verified by co-simulation using automatic dynamic analysis of mechanical systems and is demonstrated in real time. The results are promising and depict the intellectual handling ability of the self-sensing SMA to stabilize and control the system, thereby establishing the merit of introducing undersensing for the control of underactuated systems.
A broadband power detector with temperature and process compensation

A wideband radio-frequency (RF) power detection system is presented. The detection system occupies 0.18 μm CMOS process, consumes 7 mW and works at frequency ranging from 70 MHz to 1 GHz. Various compensation techniques are used in this paper to control the fluctuation of the system. The output response is process and temperature independent, varying by less than 0.9 dBm as temperature sweeps from −55°C to 125°C and process covers all extreme conditions. The system achieves 15 dBm of dynamic range with less than 0.2 dBm of error as frequency is swept across the working spectrum.
Loan Loss Provisions, Income Smoothing and Loan Growth: Evidence from Islamic Banks

This paper analyses income smoothing behavior and procyclical effect of loan loss provisions in Islamic bank. The model includes the use of loan loss provisions for discretionary and non-discretionary purposes in Islamic banks and relates it to the ways of Islamic banks disburse loans. The empirical results show that Islamic banks use loan loss provisions for non-discretionary purposes, while well-capitalized banks and banks focusing on lending activities may use loan loss provisions for income smoothing to a lesser extent. Moreover, it is documented that higher non-discretionary component of loan loss provisions results in a decline in loan growth and hence, non-discretionary provisions are procyclical. In contrast, the discretionary component of loan loss provisions does not exhibit any significant impact on loan growth. Finally, the findings show that the negative link between non-discretionary provisions and loan growth does not hold for well-capitalized banks, and banks focusing on lending activities. This paper, therefore, highlights that higher capitalization and higher loan asset portfolios tend to neutralize the procyclical impact of non-discretionary provisions through their income smoothing behaviour. In this regard, the provisioning system is particularly recommended for less-capitalized banks and banks which do not focus on lending activities since they do not conduct income smoothing strategies.
Hazards of baby walkers in a European context.

OBJECTIVES: To identify conditions related to baby walker injuries in a Greek population. DESIGN: Analysis of all baby walker related injuries recorded during a 12 month period by the childhood injury surveillance system established in one of the two teaching hospitals for children serving the population of Athens. SETTING: Emergency clinics of A Kyriakou Children's Hospital in Athens, Greece. SUBJECTS: 49 babies with baby walker related injuries brought to the emergency clinics during the period May 1994 to April 1995. RESULTS: The incidence of these injuries was 16 per thousand person years of users, or 3.5 per thousand babies per year. More boys than girls were brought to the hospital for these injuries and the incidence density was highest during the ninth and 10th month of age. Falls from heights, particularly stairs, were the most frequent cause of baby walker related injuries, especially among younger babies. The majority of these injuries were of minor severity, but three babies had bone fractures and one had a second degree facial burn. Six babies required hospitalization and for seven others, a follow up visit was needed. The higher proportion of hospitalization among girls than boys raises the possibility that boys with minor injuries are more frequently brought to the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Baby walkers impart a significant risk of injury from a consumer product that provides no clearly identifiable benefit. As most baby walker injuries happen on stairs, modifications in product design are required to reduce these injuries. Moreover, parents should be forcefully advised of the risks and predisposing conditions, if baby walkers are to be used at all.
IT-Assurance with CobiT

In this article the goals and procedures showing different characteristics of IT-Assurance projects will be presented and the adequacy of the CobiT Reference Model for these projects discussed. First we need to differentiate between ITAssurance and IT-Audit. While IT-Audit requires a bounded and more formal framework, ITAssurance projects can basically be defined and designed openly. IT-Audits are generally more shaped in their completion through legal and other requirements as well as specific qualification profiles (e.g. financial auditors). As a reference model for performing the ITAssurance the, IT Assurance Guide using CobiT (ITGI, 2007a) was re-published last year. After a short description of the basic characteristics of this guide, a presentation of its usableness in a proprietary framework for IT-Audits follows. Finally we will discuss the boundaries of using the IT-Assurance Guide. aBstRaCt
Cache-enabled Wireless Networks with Opportunistic Interference Alignment

Both caching and interference alignment (IA) are promising techniques for future wireless networks. Nevertheless, most of existing works on cache-enabled IA wireless networks assume that the channel is invariant, which is unrealistic considering the time-varying nature of practical wireless environments. In this paper, we consider realistic time-varying channels. Specifically, the channel is formulated as a finite-state Markov channel (FSMC). The complexity of the system is very high when we consider realistic FSMC models. Therefore, we propose a novel big data reinforcement learning approach in this paper. Deep reinforcement learning is an advanced reinforcement learning algorithm that uses deep $Q$ network to approximate the $Q$ value-action function. Deep reinforcement learning is used in this paper to obtain the optimal IA user selection policy in cache-enabled opportunistic IA wireless networks. Simulation results are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Content Dissemination in Mobile Social Networks

Mobile social networking(MSN) has emerged as an effective platform for social network users to pervasively disseminate the contents such as news, tips, book information, music, video and so on. In content dissemination, mobile social network users receive content or information from their friends, acquaintances or neighbors, and selectively forward the content or information to others. The content generators and receivers have different motivation and requirements to disseminate the contents according to the properties of the contents, which makes it a challenging and meaningful problem to effectively disseminate the content to the appropriate users. In this dissertation, the typical content dissemination scenarios in MSNs are investigated. According to the content properties, the corresponding user requirements are analyzed. First, a Bayesian framework is formulated to model the factors that influence users behavior on streaming video dissemination. An effective dissemination path detection algorithm is derived to detect the reliable and efficient video transmission paths. Second, the authorized content is investigated. We analyze the characteristics of the authorized content, and model the dissemination problem as a new graph problem, namely, Maximum Weighted Connected subgraph with node Quota (MWCQ), and propose two effective algorithms to solve it. Third, the authorized content dissemination problem in Opportunistic Social Networks(OSNs) is studied, based on the prediction of social connection pattern. We then analyze the influence of social connections on the content acquirement, and propose a novel approach, User Set Selection(USS) algorithm, to help social users to achieve fast and accurate content acquirement through social connections. INDEX WORDS: Content Dissemination, Mobile Social Networks, Opportunistic Social Networks CONTENT DISSEMINATION IN MOBILE SOCIAL NETWORKS
CPA Secured Data-Dependent Delay-Assignment Methodology

First-order and high-order correlation-power-analysis attacks have been shown to be a severe threat to cryptographic devices. As such, they serve as a security measure for evaluation and comparison of security-oriented implementations. When properly designed, data-dependent delays can be used as a barrier to these attacks. This paper introduces a security-oriented delay assignment algorithm for mitigating single and multibit attacks. The algorithm enables a reduction of the correlation between the processed data and the consumed current by utilizing the data-dependent delays as a source of correlated noise. This is done while minimizing the area overhead, propagation time, and power. We show that for the same security level this new algorithm provides X2 and X6 more area efficiency, and X1.5 and X2.25 higher frequencies than a permuted path delay assignment and random embedding of delay elements.