Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Assays for South African Herbivores

Abstract Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) assays are a popular means of monitoring adrenocortical activity (i.e., physiological stress response) in wildlife. Species-specific differences in glucocorticoid metabolism and excretion require assay validation, including both laboratory and biological components, before assay use in new species. We validated a commercially available radioimmunoassay (MP 125I corticosterone RIA kit [MP Biomedicals, Solon, OH]) for measuring FGMs of several South African herbivores, including giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), impala (Aepyceros melampus), nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni), kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), and zebra (Equus burchelli). These herbivores are important in South African parks and reserves for ecotourism and as a prey base for predators and serve an integral role in ecosystem processes. Standard biochemical validations (e.g., recovery of exogenous corticosterone, intra- and interassay variation, and parallelism) demonstrated that the assay accurately and precisely measured FGMs of all 6 herbivore species. Our biological validations demonstrated that the assay was sensitive enough to detect changes in FGM production associated with season. Samples collected during the dry season (Jun–Aug) contained higher FGM concentrations than those from the wet season (Dec–Feb) in all species. We established optimal sample dilutions and reference FGM levels for these 6 herbivores, which can now be used to monitor the effects of management and ecotourism activities on the stress responses of these herbivores.
Cross-Section of a 'Bubble': Stock Prices and Dividends during the British Railway Mania

Historical ‘bubbles’ are often attributed to mispricing, but the empirical analysis of such episodes has been limited. This paper examines a notable but academically neglected period, known as the British Railway Mania, using a new dataset and a cross-sectional methodology which is unique to the study of historical asset price reversals. The main finding is that the cross-sectional variation in stock prices, in every week of the sample, is explained by the cross-sectional variation in dividends, growth and risk, with no significant differences between the railways and non-railways. This implies that an economic bubble was not responsible for the rise and fall in the prices of railway assets at this time.
A Banking Portfolio Risk Exposure: A Case Study

This paper assesses the factors that influence the risk exposure. The cross sectional data are from a recent portfolio for bankcards issued throughout Italy. A multinomial logit framework estimates the probability to incur in one of eleven flagged risk categories depending on a set of socio-economic and bank specific control variables. The dependent variable is constructed to estimate the operational, credit and business risk (defined as loss of profitability). The results provide a microeconomic perspective on the factors that are responsible for risk. Women, middle-aged people, residents in the Centre of Italy are more likely to be either victims or fraudsters. Customers who are resident in the Centre and North West of the country, those who own a revolving card and have had a converted or forced card are more likely to find difficulties in paying off their debt. Finally, females, people aged more than 65 years old, clients who are resident in the North East, those who own a gold card, have had a forced card and belong to the II circuit are more likely either to revoke or not to immediately activate their credit card, representing a loss in profitability for the business.
Decentralized algorithms for classifier topology optimization in large-scale multi-concept detection

Multi-concept identification in high volume multimedia streams is critical for a number of applications, including large-scale multimedia analysis, processing, and retrieval. Content of interest is filtered using a collection of binary classifiers that are deployed on distributed resource-constrained infrastructure. In this paper, we design distributed algorithms for determining the optimal topology of single concept detectors (classifiers) to identify the multiple concepts of interest. These algorithms dynamically order individual classifiers into chain topologies to tradeoff accuracy against processing delay, based on underlying data characteristics, system resource constraints as well as the performance and complexity characteristics of each classifier.
Sequence Analysis and Expression of the Attachment and Fusion Proteins of Canine Distemper Virus Wild-Type Strain A 75 / 17

The biological properties of wild-type A75/17 and cell culture-adapted Onderstepoort canine distemper virus differ markedly. To learn more about the molecular basis for these differences, we have isolated and sequenced the protein-coding regions of the attachment and fusion proteins of wild-type canine distemper virus strain A75/17. In the attachment protein, a total of 57 amino acid differences were observed between the Onderstepoort strain and strain A75/17, and these were distributed evenly over the entire protein. Interestingly, the attachment protein of strain A75/17 contained an extension of three amino acids at the C terminus. Expression studies showed that the attachment protein of strain A75/17 had a higher apparent molecular mass than the attachment protein of the Onderstepoort strain, in both the presence and absence of tunicamycin. In the fusion protein, 60 amino acid differences were observed between the two strains, of which 44 were clustered in the much smaller F2 portion of the molecule. Significantly, the AUG that has been proposed as a translation initiation codon in the Onderstepoort strain is an AUA codon in strain A75/17. Detailed mutation analyses showed that both the first and second AUGs of strain A75/17 are the major translation initiation sites of the fusion protein. Similar analyses demonstrated that, also in the Onderstepoort strain, the first two AUGs are the translation initiation codons which contribute most to the generation of precursor molecules yielding the mature form of the fusion protein.
Plasma fatty acids as markers for desaturase and elongase activities in spinal cord injured males

Objective: To investigate the use of surrogate plasma fatty acid analysis to provide further insights into the underlying adiposity and the development of metabolic syndrome in men with spinal cord injury (SCI). Design: Case-control, cross-sectional study. Setting: Community-based individuals with spinal cord injury and healthy controls. Participants: Twenty men with SCI age, height and weight matched with 20 able-bodied controls. Outcome Measures: Lean tissue (LTM) and fat mass (FM) were determined using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fasting blood samples were taken for analysis of fatty acids, adiponectin, insulin, glucose and leptin. Enzymatic indices were calculated using relevant fatty acids. Results: Total FM, leptin, stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase (SCD) Δ9 (SCD-16, 16:1/16:0, and SCD-18, 18:1/18:0) indices and Δ6 desaturase index were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the SCI group than the controls. Significant differences between the groups was observed for several individual fatty acids. Correlational analysis revealed a different pattern between blood biomarkers and indices of SCDs, de novo lipogenesis and elongase. Associations between the desaturase and elongase indices and biomarkers in the controls followed those reported elsewhere for able bodied participants; the same associations were not observed in the SCI group. Conclusion: We have identified disturbances in fatty acid biosynthesis in SCI individuals likely associated with the development of adipose tissue below the lesion and a decrease in LTM. Loss of LTM may disturb the normal skeletal muscle-fatty acid metabolic processes leading to the disruption of metabolic homeostasis, previously identified in persons with SCI.
The myth of the unique decomposability: specializing the Herfindahl and entropy measures?

This research note investigates the trend towards specializing the Herfindahl index H for measuring industry concentration and the entropy measure E for expressing firm diversity. Examining the “decomposability” of E and H, we show that the professed overriding advantage of the entropy measure with respect to decomposability is not its exclusive preserve; the paper contains a proof that this property is also shared by the Herfindahl index. It is also shown that, due to its more stable range, the H index is more versatile with respect to inversion than the E measure. Strategy researchers are thereby cautioned that the current trend toward an increased use of entropy is risky and should be reassessed. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive dynamic fuzzy neural network-based decoupled sliding-mode controller with hybrid sliding surfaces

The main motivation for this study is to remove the constraint of known non-linear dynamics in the control law, and eliminate the chattering in the switching. Thus, the dynamic fuzzy neural network (DFNN) is applied to better approximate the unknown non-linear dynamics in a decoupled sliding mode control (DSMC) problem for a class of fourth-order non-linear systems. To avoid the drawback of control chattering occurring in the sliding mode, a fractional order PI compensator is used to compensate for disturbance forces while suppressing chattering effect. Using this approach, the response of the system will converge faster than that of previous reports. Finally, simulations adopting this framework are presented for cart-pendulum system and TORA system. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the newly proposed adaptive DFNN-based decoupled sliding mode control method.
Effective communication about genetic engineering and food

Discusses the importance of effective risk‐benefit communication about genetic engineering in food production. The consumer, industry and science are all likely to benefit from the creation of an “informed consumer”. There is a need to develop strategies to maximize the effectiveness of such communication, in order to reach target audiences. Risk‐benefit communication is likely to require a different approach to that which has evolved from the communication of risk information alone. Investigates future research needs and concludes that risk‐benefit communication will usefully invoke public debate about future directions for technological evolution and development.
Multiplicity of virus-encoded helper T-cell epitopes expressed on FBL-3 tumor cells

To identify retroviral antigenic determinants recognized by CD4+ T helper cells during tumor rejection, we established four noncytolytic, helper-type, CD4+ T-cell clones by limiting dilution cultures of mixed lymphocyte-tumor cultures from mice immune to a Friend virus-induced tumor, FBL-3. Among these, three T helper cell clones were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and the fourth was isolated from a (BALB/c x C57BL/6)F1 mouse. All these clones proliferated in response to the immunizing FBL-3 tumor cells in a major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted manner. Each clone expressed a distinct T-cell receptor with a characteristic combination of alpha and beta chains. The localization of helper T-cell determinants on viral proteins was analyzed with recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) gag or env genes or shorter fragments of the env gene. Epitopes recognized by these T-cell clones were mapped to at least two distinct portions in the env region of the F-MuLV genome. These epitopes were identified more precisely with synthetic peptides derived from the F-MuLV envelope protein sequence. One of these epitopes was common to Friend and Moloney MuLVs and was located in the N-terminal region of the gp70 glycoprotein at amino acids 122 to 141. The second epitope, which was recognized in the context of hybrid I-Eb/d major histocompatibility complex class II molecule, was located close to the C-terminal end of gp70 at amino acids 462 to 479. In addition, a possible third epitope was located in the N-terminal half of the gp70 sequence and differed from the first epitope in that it was not cross-reactive with the Moloney MuLV envelope protein.
Financial Cycles, Credit Spreads and Real Business Cycles

The paper follows Gilchrist and Zakrajsek (2012) (henceforth GZ) in examining the evidence on the relationship between the bond market credit spreads (pricing), and financial intermediation as is reflected in banking conducts and the real business cycles. We use an extensive data set of prices and debts of outstanding corporate bonds trading in the Israeli capital market as well as of government bonds with which we construct for every corporate firm and at each date a credit spread index as in GZ. Similarly to GZ we decompose each of these spread indices into a predicted component that captures the available firm-specific information on expected defaults and a residual that is termed excessive bond premium EBP. Our work aimed at identifying the causes of the dynamics of the EBP. As it turns out both the weighted average of these indices and that of the EBP are found to be a powerful predictor of economic activity (a leading indicator). Similar to GZ our results indicate that the predictive content of credit spreads is due primarily to movements in the EBP. Here we extend GZ research by focusing on the effects of the banking sector conducts and performances on the capital market and its (derived) EBP. We find a significant and robust relationships within which, the banking conducts affect the EBP. Among other banking indicators, we find evidence to the fact that the banks' reassessments of their group of borrowers' exposure to risk causes an increase in the EBP. Also the share of the corporate firm's debt to banks (out of its total debt) is found to negatively affect the EBP. These findings and others support the notion that a rise in the EBP may reflect an adverse banking risk management that further propagates downturn in the macroeconomy business cycles.
Factors Determining FSA Guaranteed Loan Loss Claim Activity in the U.S. for 1990-1997

The study identifies farm operator and economic characteristics explaining variation in FSA guaranteed loan loss claims rates. Regression models using state-level data are estimated. Debt-to-asset ratios, interest rates, off-farm income and bank loan-to-asset ratios explain FO loss rates. Farm size and bank loan-to-asset ratios are important to OL loss rates.
A novel CGRP‐neutralizing Spiegelmer attenuates neurogenic plasma protein extravasation

Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) plays an important role in the pathology of migraine, and recent clinical trials suggest the inhibition of CGRP‐mediated processes as a new therapeutic option in migraine. In this study, we describe the generation of NOX‐L41, a CGRP‐neutralizing mirror‐image (l‐)aptamer (Spiegelmer) and investigate its in vitro and in vivo function.
Clinical outcomes from bilateral versus unilateral stimulation of the pedunculopontine nucleus with and without concomitant caudal zona incerta region stimulation in Parkinson's disease

Abstract Introduction. The Pedunculopontine nucleus is a novel target for deep brain stimulation and this may improve postural instability and gait dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. If unilateral Pedunculopontine nucleus stimulation is as efficacious as bilateral stimulation this would lead to less surgical risk. Methods. 5 Parkinson's disease patients with bilateral caudal Zona Incerta region and Pedunculopontine nucleus electrodes were assessed using the motor component of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Patients were assessed in the on-medication state to determine the optimal combination of stimulation setting for axial symptom control. Results. The on-medication composite axial-subscore only showed a statistically significant improvement when bilateral Pedunculopontine nucleus and caudal Zona Incerta region stimulation was used. Conclusions. In the on-medication state bilateral Pedunculopontine nucleus and caudal Zona Incerta region stimulation is required in order to produce a significant change in the motor Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale axial-subscore from baseline.
Business Development in the Music Industry: Leveraging In Flames’ Brand to Generate New Sources of Income

With musicians’ revenues from record sales falling since the turn of the millennium, the need for touring and selling branded merchandise has increased dramatically. In Flames is one of the music bands that have experienced this, and they have expressed a desire to reduce the time and resources spent on touring, which creates the need for new sources of income in order to sustain revenue. This study aims to identify such new sources, while contributing to the academic field related to brand extensions of cultural brands. The study has its foundation in a brand audit, which provides an understanding of the brand, the organization and its customers. The brand audit was performed through interviews, focus groups, a content analysis and a survey. With the foundation established, the study continued into the next stage: idea generation and evaluation. Ideation workshops and other methods were used to generate ideas, while an evaluation matrix was applied to filter the ideas, resulting in two remaining business ideas. The two ideas that scored the highest in the evaluation were (1) the branding of gaming peripherals and (2) improvement of In Flames’ e-commerce. The two ideas take basis in the characteristics of the customer profile, which contains a large number of technology-friendly gamers. The ideas have the potential of being profitable over a long period of time, with high profit margins and a good fit with In Flames’ brand. Prior to launching branded gaming peripherals, it is recommended that In Flames’ brand’s relation to gaming is strengthened, mainly with signaling and marketing efforts. The release of an individual category of branded products is expected to be able to generate several hundred thousand SEK in profit. Improving In Flames’ e-commerce is recommended due to the many and apparent flaws identified with the existing solution, as well as the low risks related to improving an idea that has already been tested and has a proven demand. The suggested improvements are estimated to be able to generate an additional 1 800 000 SEK per year. The improvements also have positive side effects, such as strengthening the brand and the community, and establishing a foundation for the marketing and sales of additional brand extensions. Lastly, the main contributions to the field of study include the observation that cultural brands may be characterized associated with softer values, compared to traditional brands, and there were also indications that a cultural organization’s ability to exploit its brand may be disproportionately low, in relation to the strength of the brand.
Strength, Power, and Muscular Endurance Exercise and Elite Rowing Ergometer Performance

Abstract Lawton, TW, Cronin, JB, and McGuigan, MR. Strength, power, and muscular endurance exercise and elite rowing ergometer performance. J Strength Cond Res 27(7): 1928–1935, 2013—Knowledge of the relationship between weight room exercises and various rowing performance measures is limited; this information would prove useful for sport-specific assessment of individual needs and exercise prescription. The purpose of this study was to establish strength, power, and muscular endurance exercises for weight room training, which are strong determinants of success in specific performance measures used to assess elite rowers. Nineteen heavyweight elite males determined their repetition maximum (RM) loads for exercises using a Concept 2 DYNO [5, 30, 60 and 120RM leg pressing and seated arm pulling (in Joules)] and free weights [1RM power clean (in kilograms) and 6RM bench pull (in kilograms and watts)]. Rowing performance measures included a 7-stage blood lactate response ergometer test (aerobic condition), time trials (500, 2000, and 5000 m), a peak stroke power test, and a 60-minute distance trial. Pearson correlation moments (r ≥ 0.7) and stepwise multiple linear regression calculations (R2 ≥ 50%) were used to establish strong common variances between weight room exercises and rowing ergometer performance (p ⩽ 0.05). Weight room exercises were strong predictors of 2000-m, 500-m time (in seconds), and peak stroke power performance measures only. Bench pull power (in watts) and 1RM power clean (in kilograms) were the best 2-factor predictors of peak stroke power (R2 = 73%; standard error of the estimates [SEE] = 59.6 W) and 500 m (R2 = 70%; SEE = 1.75 seconds); while 5RM leg pressing (in Joules) and either 6RM bench pull (kg) or 60RM seated arm pulling (in Joules) the best predictors of 2000 m (R2 = 59%; SEE = 6.3 seconds and R2 = 57%; SEE = 6.4 seconds, respectively). Recommended exercises for weight room training include a 1RM power clean, 6RM bench pull, 5RM leg press, and 60RM seated arm pulling.
The Role of Corporate Philanthropy on Ratings of Corporate Social Responsibility and Shareholder Return

Many current and potential employees, investors, and mutual funds view Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as an important feature in their decision process. The purpose of this paper is to assess the relationship between a firm’s community spending and the scores it receives from organizations that rate firms’ CSR and whether community spending and these scores are related to shareholder return. We find differences in the relationship between corporate philanthropy and a firm’s scores on various measures of CSR. We also find that firms with a lower probability of bankruptcy, as measured by Altman’s Z score, more women on the Board, and larger Boards tend to give more money to the community. Finally, we find that excess returns are positively related to a firm’s governance disclosure score but negatively related to its social disclosure score. The data does not support the contention that, on average, Community Spending as a Percent of EBITDA has any effect on the value to the firm.
Variable region expression in the antibody responses of infants vaccinated with Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide-protein conjugates. Description of a new lambda light chain-associated idiotype and the relation between idiotype expression, avidity, and vaccine formulation. The Collaborati

Haemophilus influenzae b polysaccharide (Hib PS)-protein conjugate vaccines differ chemically and immunologically. To determine whether anti-Hib PS variable region expression might differ according to vaccine formulation, infants were vaccinated at 2, 4, and 6 mo of age with Hib PS coupled to either meningococcal outer membrane protein complex (Hib PS-OMPC) or tetanus toxoid (Hib PS-T), or Hib PS oligomers coupled to a mutant diphtheria toxin (Oligo-CRM). Two anti-Hib PS idiotypes were measured in sera obtained after the third injection: HibId-1, expressed by anti-Hib PS antibodies having the kappa II-A2 variable region, and HibId-2, a newly defined cross-reactive idiotype associated with a subset of anti-Hib PS antibodies having lambda VII variable regions. HibId-1 was present in 33, 68, and 64% of infants given either Hib PS-OMPC, Oligo-CRM, or Hib PS-T, respectively (P < 0.001). The respective values for HibId-2 were 47, 18, and 10% (P = 0.001). Subjects who were vaccinated with Hib PS-OMPC or Hib PS-T and who produced detectable HibId-1-positive antibody, had significantly higher mean antibody avidity than subjects who did not produce HibId-1 positive antibodies. In contrast, Oligo-CRM evoked high avidity anti-Hib PS antibodies, irrespective of the idiotypic profile. These findings indicate fundamental differences in both variable region content and antibody quality elicited by different Hib PS conjugate vaccines.