Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Distinct Contribution of Short-Wavelength-Sensitive Cones to Light-Evoked Activity in the Mouse Pretectal Olivary Nucleus

Melanopsin-expressing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) combine inputs from outer-retinal rod/cone photoreceptors with their intrinsic phototransduction machinery to drive a wide range of so-called non-image-forming (NIF) responses to light. Defining the contribution of each photoreceptor class to evoked responses is vital for determining the degree to which our sensory capabilities depend on melanopsin and for optimizing NIF responses to benefit human health. We addressed this problem by recording electrophysiological responses in the mouse pretectal olivary nucleus (PON) (a target of ipRGCs and origin of the pupil light reflex) to a range of gradual and abrupt changes in light intensity. Dim stimuli drove minimal changes in PON activity, suggesting that rods contribute little under these conditions. To separate cone from melanopsin influences, we compared responses to short (460 nm) and longer (600/655 nm) wavelengths in mice carrying a red shifted cone population (Opn1mwR) or lacking melanopsin (Opn4−/−). Our data reveal a surprising difference in the quality of information available from medium- and short-wavelength-sensitive cones. The majority cone population (responsive to 600/655 nm) supported only transient changes in firing and responses to relatively sudden changes in light intensity. In contrast, cones uniquely sensitive to the shorter wavelength (S-cones) were better able to drive responses to gradual changes in illuminance, contributed a distinct off inhibition, and at least partially recapitulated the ability of melanopsin to sustain responses under continuous illumination. These data reveal a new role for S-cones unrelated to color vision and suggest renewed consideration of cone contributions to NIF vision at shorter wavelengths.
Cell-free DNA and RNA in plasma as new tools for molecular diagnostics

The recent interest in plasma nucleic acids has opened up many new promising possibilities for the noninvasive detection and monitoring of a variety of diseases. The discovery of tumor-derived DNA in the plasma of cancer patients has provided an alternative method for cancer detection, monitoring and prognostication, whereas the presence of fetal DNA in maternal plasma has revealed significant clinical potential for the prenatal diagnosis of fetal genetic diseases and pregnancy-associated complications. Further applications have been reported in transplantation, traumatology and acute medicine. Extending beyond plasma DNA, a new field of investigation has also been developed in the analysis of plasma RNA, which holds promise for noninvasive gene expression profiling. Biologically, future work will focus on the elucidation of the origin and clearance of circulating DNA, as well as the unexpected stability of circulating RNA.
Measurement of China's regional economic efficiency and environmental efficiency: A DEA-NBG approach

The exiting DEA methods generally consider energy consumption as input indicator. It is reasonable from the perspective of economy or energy conservation. But from the perspective of environment or clean energy utilization, a region using more energy to generate lower pollutants is considered to be more efficient. Thus, energy consumption should be regarded as output indicator. If we consider the two perspectives at the same time, it will be difficult to judge energy consumption as input indicator or output indicator. To solve this problem, we incorporate Nash bargaining game (NBG) into DEA model to estimate the economic efficiency, environmental efficiency and united efficiency for China's 30 provinces during 2000-2011. It is found that the economic efficiency, environmental efficiency and united efficiency during 2000-2011 in China present distinct stage characteristics. The results obtained by employing the Mann and Whitney rank sum test imply that three efficiency measures among east area, central area and west area of China have significant heterogeneity, and the differences of provinces on the three performance measures are significant. On the basis of clear understanding about performance difference among provinces of China, it will contribute to realizing the win-win strategy as regard to the economy and environment on the whole by carrying out targeted economic and environmental policies for different regions.
Addressing professional suitability in social work education : the experience and approach of field education coordinators

ii TABLE OF CONTENTS . iv LIST OF TABLES . vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . viii DEDICATION . ix CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION . 1 Reflections on Gatekeeping in Field Coordination. 1 The Context of Field Education and the Role of the Field Education Coordinator . 3 What are we Guarding For and Against? 8 Partners in the Gatekeeping Role . 9 Contradictions of the Gatekeeping Role . 11 Case Illustrations . 18 Beliefs and Principles of Gatekeeping . 24 Outline of the Dissertation . 28 Summary . 29 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW . 31 Current Knowledge or Understanding of Gatekeeping in Social Work Education . 32 Gatekeeping Prior to the Field Component . 36 Gatekeeping within Field Education . 43 Gatekeeping within Field Coordination . 47 Methods Employed for Gatekeeping Research . 57 Summary and Contributions of this Study . 58
FGF2-activated ERK Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Enhances Runx2 Acetylation and Stabilization*

Runx2 is a key transcription factor regulating osteoblast differentiation and skeletal morphogenesis, and FGF2 is one of the most important regulators of skeletal development. The importance of the ERK mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway in cranial suture development was demonstrated by the findings that the inhibition of FGF/FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling by a MEK blocker prevents the premature suture closure caused by an Fgfr2 mutation in mice. We previously demonstrated that ERK activation does not affect Runx2 gene expression but that it stimulates Runx2 transcriptional activity. However, the molecular mechanism underlying Runx2 activation by FGF/FGFR or ERK was still unclear. In this study, we found that FGF2 treatment increased the protein level of exogenously overexpressed Runx2 and that this increase is reversed by ERK inhibitors. In contrast, overexpression of constitutively active MEK strongly increased the Runx2 protein level, which paralleled an increase in Runx2 acetylation. As Runx2 protein phosphorylation mediated by ERK directly correlates with Runx2 protein stabilization, acetylation, and ubiquitination, we undertook to identify the ERK-dependent phosphorylation sites in Runx2. Analysis of two C-terminal Runx2 deletion constructs showed that the middle third of the protein is responsible for ERK-induced stabilization and activation. An in silico analysis of highly conserved ERK targets indicated that there are three relevant serine residues in this domain. Site-directed mutagenesis implicated Ser-301 in for ERK-mediated Runx2 stabilization and acetylation. In conclusion, the FGF2-induced ERK MAP kinase strongly increased the Runx2 protein level through an increase in acetylation and a decrease in ubiquitination, and these processes require the phosphorylation of Runx2 Ser-301 residue.
The Pattern of Home Ownership Across Cohorts and its Impact on the Net Wealth Distribution: Empirical Evidence from Germany and the US

In this empirical paper we analyze the link between homeownership across cohorts and the net wealth distribution. In particular we are interested in the effect of the pattern of ownership across cohorts. Given that wealth accumulates over the life-cycle and that owners are wealthier than renters, past tenure choices, affecting today's share of owners for different cohorts, should be related to current wealth levels and inequality. In order to gauge the effect of the ownership structure over cohorts on the distribution of net wealth we impose the homeownership pattern of the US on Germany and ask: What would the net wealth distribution in Germany look like if German households were distributed across tenure status along cohorts the same way as those in the US? Our results indicate that the ownership rate and pattern within cohorts is closely linked to the wealth distribution. Imposing the structure of the US on Germany leads to a large increase in the German median and reduces wealth inequality. We show that some of these effects can be attributed to the difference in ownership shares between old cohorts in Germany and the US as often mentioned in the literature, but this effect appears to be less pronounced than expected. Past tenure choice indeed affects today's net wealth distribution.
The Impact of Human Capital on Economic Growth: Evidence from Tunisia Using Star and Stecm Models

Human capital is one of the most important drivers for economic growth. This paper aims to outline theoretical and empirical frameworks for thinking about the role of human capital in a model of endogenous growth. Only a small set of recent papers investigated the relationship between different educational levels and economic growth in one country. This first study conducted in Tunisia contributes to the existing literature by using Smooth Transition Autoregressive models (ESTAR, LSTAR) referring to non-linear least squares (NOLS) procedure to underline this non-linear relationship. The advantage of our modeling strategy is that the relationship between human capital and growth is nonlinear. The principal empirical finding conducted in Tunisia over the period 1974-2012 is that human capital exerts a significant influence on economic growth.
Effects of retroactive and proactive interference on word list recall in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia spectrum patients (N = 143) and healthy controls (N = 160) were administered the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and tests of executive functioning to directly investigate the effects of proactive interference (PI) and retroactive interference (RI) on word list recall. It was hypothesized that by virtue of the predicted preferential association between executive functioning and RI (relative to PI), patients would demonstrate increased susceptibility to RI in their ability to recall word lists. Results indicated that patients show increased susceptibility to RI relative to PI. Furthermore, this difference appeared to be related to the frontally-mediated central executive functions that were preferentially associated with RI but not PI susceptibility. (JINS, 2001, 7, 481–490.)
Fournier's gangrene current approaches

Fournier's gangrene is a rare but highly mortal infectious disease characterised by fulminant necrotising fasciitis involving the genital and perineal regions. The objective of this study is to analyse the demographics, clinical feature and treatment approaches as well as outcomes of Fournier's gangrene. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records and operative notes. Patient data were analysed by demographics, aetiological factors, clinical features, treatment approaches and outcomes. Twelve patients (five female and seven male) were enrolled in this study. The most common aetiology was perianal abscess (41·6%). Wound cultures showed a mixture of microorganisms in six (50%) patients. For faecal diversion, while colostomy was performed in six cases (50%), Flexi‐Seal was used in two cases (16·6%). In four patients (33·4%), no faecal diversion was performed. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system was effective in the last four patients (33·4%). The mean hospitalisation period in patients who used NPWT was 18 days, while it was 20 days in the others. NPWT in Fournier's gangrene is a safe dressing method. It promotes granulation formation. Flexi‐Seal faecal management is an alternative method to colostomy and provides protection from its associated complications. The combination of two devices (Flexi‐Seal and NPWT) is an effective and comfortable method in the management of Fournier's gangrene in appropriate patients.
Terminal Value Parameters: A Short Note

Some textbooks and a just a couple of articles address the problems of evaluation of so called terminal value. The term terminal value describes the value of certain set of company's capital at the point in the time, from which the company is assumed to be stable in the terms of profit growth and investments or to converge by a stable rate to the "stable state". Much of the attention is concentrated on the estimation of cost of capital. We concentrated on the other parameters of terminal value. If we accepted the assumptions that since certain point in time a company is "stable" in terms of ratio of profit to a set of capital to which the profit is attributable, that investors employ the Gordon's formula for evaluation of such a company at that point of time and finally that markets are efficient in the weak form, the proper formula for terminal value estimation is ratio of profit (earnings) attributable to that set of capital to the required return on that set of capital, but only if one complies with the condition that return on the evaluated set of capital at the time to which the terminal value is estimated, is equal to the required return rate. We derive this solution on the general conceptual framework, however the steady state validity conditions can be extended to ratio of any two items of balance sheet or income statement.
Lightning protection of PV systems

Lightning strikes can affect photovoltaic (PV) generators and their installations, involving also the inverter's electronics. It is therefore necessary to evaluate the risk connected to lightning strikes in order to adopt the correct protective measures for the system. The Standard IEC (EN) 62305-2 reports the procedures for the risk calculation and for the choice of proper lightning protection systems. Usually the technical guidelines suggest protecting with SPDs (surge protective devices) both DC and AC sides of the PV installation. The paper estimates overvoltages due to lightning discharges and evaluates the actual need of lightning protection measures on the basis of the results of the risk analysis and of the protection costs. The paper in the first part presents the procedure for the evaluation of the risk connected to lightning strikes according to the Standard IEC EN 62305-2; then it applies the procedure to typical PV installations, analyzing risks and risk components which have to be kept into account. In the second part the paper studies the surge overcurrents to be expected on LV systems, induced voltages caused by direct flashes and by flashes near the PV installation. Approximated equations for the calculation of induced voltages and currents are given for different types of LPS (lightning protection systems) and lightning flashes. In the last part of the paper the methodology is applied as an example to a practical case and some conclusions are given.
New variations of Epstein–Barr virus‐encoded small RNA genes in nasopharyngeal carcinomas, gastric carcinomas, and healthy donors in northern China

It has been generally believed that the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐encoded small RNA 1 and 2 (EBER1 and EBER2) genes are conserved as two families that correlated with type 1 (B95‐8) and type 2 (AG876 or P3HR‐1) EBV strains. EBER polymorphism and its association with EBV‐associated disease have not received much attention. To explore the variations of EBER genes in different malignancies and healthy donors, the sequences of EBER genes were analyzed in 154 EBV‐positive samples, including 47 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), 50 EBV‐associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) biopsies and 57 throat washing (TW) samples from healthy donors in northern China, where NPC is non‐endemic. Three main distinct variants of EBER genes, designated as EB‐6m, EB‐8m, and EB‐10m, were identified. EB‐6m had a previously identified EBER sequence identical to P3HR‐1 and was found in 33/47 (70.2%) NPC, 48/50 (96.0%) EBVaGC, and 54/57 (94.7%) TW isolates. EB‐8m and EB‐10m were new EBER variants with more mutations in EBER2 genes. They were found in 13/47 (27.7%) NPC cases, whereas in only 1/50 (2.0%) EBVaGC cases and not found in TW cases. The distributions were significantly different (P < 0.05). Other five isolates (one NPC, one EBVaGC and three TW cases) showed different sequences and could not be assigned to any of the three groups. Type 1 EBV strains showed heterogeneous in terms of EBER variants. These results suggest that EBER locus can be useful to identify different EBV isolates, and it would be interesting to evaluate the association of EBER polymorphisms with EBV‐associated tumors. J. Med. Virol. 82: 829–836, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Audit committee accounting expertise, CEO power, and audit pricing*

Abstract The Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) mandates that all listed firms disclose whether they have a financial expert on the audit committee, highlighting the committee’s expertise. However, some argue that non-accounting financial experts, compared to accounting financial experts, are not sufficient to ensure audit committee effectiveness because the former lack accounting knowledge. Accounting experts on audit committees may require higher audit efforts, while auditors may assess audit committees with accounting financial experts as effective, decreasing audit efforts. This paper first inspects the effect of audit committee accounting expertise on audit fees as a proxy for audit efforts, and then investigates whether the effect is moderated by powerful CEOs. Using post-SOX period data, our results show that, on average, firms with accounting experts on audit committees are more likely to pay higher audit fees, and the effect is less pronounced when a powerful CEO manages a firm.
Linear Permutation Polynomial Codes

Quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check (QC-LDPC) codes are one of the most important code classes of LDPC codes. They have two drawbacks: lack of randomness and limited girth lead to a degraded decoding performance in the waterfall and error floor regions, respectively. To tackle these problems, we present a new class of LDPC codes, named linear permutation polynomial (LPP) codes, whose parity-check matrix consists of permutation matrices based on LPPs. The girth of regular QC-LDPC codes is upper bounded by 12, while LPP codes break this limit. We demonstrate that LPP codes have error performance almost equivalent to random ones.
The first complete chloroplast genome sequence of a medicinal goldthread species, Coptis omeiensis (Ranunculaceae)

Abstract Coptis omeiensis, as an important Chinese medicinal plant, has been endangered because of overharvesting. To better understand and protect this species, we report the first complete chloroplast genome sequence of C. omeiensis. The chloroplast genome was found to be 154,684 bp in length, and GC content was 38.2%, with large and small single copy regions (LSC with 85,099 bp and SSC with 17,239 bp in length) separated by two Inverted repeat regions (IRs with 26,173 bp). Meanwhile, the sequence contained 113 genes, including 79 protein-coding, 30 tRNA, and 4 rRNA genes. The phylogeny of Ranunculaceae based on the complete cp genomes of 27 related taxa was also presented in this study.
Diverting autophagic membranes for exocytosis

We have recently shown that the Epstein Barr virus (EBV) incorporates the autophagic membrane label LC3B-II into mature virus particles. Upon EBV production, autophagic membranes are stabilized and infectious viral particle production is dependent on these, because ATG protein-deficiency dampens, whereas rapamycin induces, infectious particle production. Moreover, viral DNA accumulates in the cytosol when macroautophagy is impaired. We therefore conclude that EBV needs autophagic membranes for efficient enveloping during infectious viral particle production. Here, we discuss how EBV might incorporate lipidated LC3B (LC3B-II) into the viral envelope and how other viruses as well as cellular processes customize the macroautophagy machinery for exocytosis in the context of unconventional secretion.
Computational complexity of propositional dynamic logics

In 1979, Fischer and Ladner introduced Propositional Dynamic Logic (PDL) as a logical formalism for reasoning about programs [9]. Since then, PDL has become a classic of logic in computer science [11], and many extensions and variations have been proposed. Several of these extensions are inspired by the original application of reasoning about programs, while others aim at the numerous novel applications that PDL has found since its invention. Notable examples of such applications include agent-based systems [14], regular path constraints for querying semi-structured data [2], and XML-querying [1, 17, 16]. In artifical intelligence, PDL received attention due to its close relationship to description logics [10] and epistemic logic [18, 19]. The models of PDL formulas and programs are transition systems (also called Kripke structures) whose transitions are labeled with atomic programs and whose states are labeled with atomic propositions. Formulas are defined from atomic propositions, are closed by the boolean operations, and finally for each program π and each formula φ, 〈π〉φ is a again a formula – with the semantics that there is some state both satisfying φ and reachable by executing π. Hence, formulas define subsets of the state set of Kripke structures. Programs are built up from atomic ones, are closed under the operations union, composition, and Kleene star, and finally whenever φ is a formula, then φ? is a program defining loops in those states that satisfy φ. Hence programs define binary relations on the state set of Kripke structures. The satisfiability problems asks, given a formula φ, whether there exists a Kripke structure K and a state of K that satisfies φ. The model checking problem asks, given a Kripke structure K, a state x of K, and a formula φ, whether x satisfies φ.
Organizations as Networks of Communications: A Methodological Proposal

Organization studies increasingly draw on the idea that organizations are constituted by communications. The theoretical assumptions and empirical implications are well in development at both the Montreal School of Organizational Communication and Social Systems Theory. However, we notice that the corresponding methodologies limit themselves to the analysis of local communications. While this micro-level research pays tribute to the inherent complexity of communication, it fails to depict organizations at the macro-level of global communications. We propose to broaden the methodological range with the help of network analysis. In particular, we suggest turning organization studies inside out by using communications - not individuals - as nodes in networks. Studying organizations as networks of communications allows us to analyze the emergence of themes that drive the business of organizations. We illustrate our proposal with an empirical network analysis of two organizations.