Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do Public Firms Respond to Industry Opportunities More than Private Firms? The Impact of Initial Firm Quality

Using U.S. Census data, we track firms at birth and compare the growth pattern of IPO firms and their matched always-private counterparts over their life cycle. Firms that are larger at birth with faster initial growth are more likely to attain a larger size and to subsequently go public. We estimate a model to predict the propensity to become public (“public quality”) using initial conditions. Firms in the top percentile of public quality grow 29 times larger than the remaining firms fifteen years later if they actually become public and 14 times larger if they stay private, showing a large selection effect for IPO status. Public firms respond more to demand shocks after their IPO and are more productive than their matched private counterparts. This effect is stronger in industries that are capital intensive and dependent on external financing. Overall, initial conditions predict firm growth trajectories, selection into public status and responsiveness to demand shocks. We find no evidence of public market myopia when matching by initial conditions.
Emovoice: a system to generate emotions in speech

Generating emotions in speech is currently a hot topic of research given the requirement of modern human-machine interaction systems to produce expressive speech. We present the EmoVoice system, which implements acoustic rules to simulate seven basic emotions in neutral speech. It uses the pitch-synchronous time-scaling (PSTS) of the excitation signal to change the prosody and the most relevant glottal source parameters related to voice quality. The system also transforms other parameters of the vocal source signal to produce the irregular voicing quality. The correlation of the speech parameters with the basic emotions was derived from measurements of the glottal parameters and from results reported by other authors. The evaluation of the system showed that it can generate recognizable emotions but improvements are still necessary to discriminate some pairs of emotions.
Combined nerve transfers for repair of the upper brachial plexus injuries through a posterior approach

The upper brachial plexus injury leads to paralysis of muscles innervated by C5 and C6 nerve roots. In this report, we present our experience on the use of the combined nerve transfers for reconstruction of the upper brachial plexus injury. Nine male patients with the upper brachial plexus injury were treated with combined nerve transfers. The time interval between injury and surgery ranged from 3 to 11 months (average, 7 months). The combined nerve transfers include fascicles of the ulnar nerve and/or the median nerve transfer to the biceps and/or the brachialis motor branch, and the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) to the suprascapular nerve (SSN) and triceps branches to the axillary nerve through a posterior approach. At an average of 33 months of follow‐up, all patients recovered the full range of the elbow flexion. Six out of nine patients were able to perform the normal range of shoulder abduction with the strength degraded to M3 or M4. These results showed that the technique of the combined nerve transfers, specifically the SAN to the SSN and triceps branches to the axillary nerve through a posterior approach, may be a valuable alternative in the repair of the upper brachial plexus injury. Further evaluations of this technique are necessary. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
Dark fermentation optimization by anaerobic digested sludge recirculation: effects on hydrogen production.

Dark Fermentation Optimization by Anaerobic Digested Sludge Recirculation: Effects on Hydrogen Production Marco Gottardo*, Cristina Cavinato , David Bolzonella, Paolo Pavan a University Ca’Foscari of Venice, Department of Environmental Science, Informatics and Statistics, Calle Larga Santa Marta, Dorsoduro 2137 – 30123, Venice, Italy University of Verona, Department of Biotechnology, Strada le Grazie 15 – 37134 37134, Verona, Italy. marco.gottardo@unive.it
Motor and functional recovery in patients with post-stroke depression

Purpose: Depression is very common following stroke. Correlation between post-stroke depression (PSD) and functional outcome has been shown, but differential impact both on functional and motor recovery has not been deeply investigated. This study evaluates the influence of PSD on motor and functional outcome. Method: One hundred and seventeen acute stroke patients were selected in an intensive rehabilitation department, and divided into two groups according to the presence of PSD (PSD + and PSD −). Screening measures were DSM-IV criteria, the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Cornell Scale. Outcomes were evaluated on the basis of the Barthel Index (BI) and the Fugl – Meyer Assessment Scale (FMA). Measurements were performed at admission to the department (T1), discharge (T2) and follow up (T3) in a whole period of 3 months from stroke. Results: Both groups showed a significant improvement in all outcome measures. Improvement differences were not significant on FMA scores in either group at each assessment; the PSD group had a significant higher improvement on BI score at follow-up. According to the logistic model, from T1 to T2 and from T1 to T3, only motor recovery shows a significant relation with functional recovery; from T2 to T3 PSD is the only significant factor related to functional recovery. Conclusions: PSD is not an influencing factor for motor recovery. Results show a negative impact of PSD on the functional recovery process after discharge and not during hospitalisation. Discharge appears to be a critical step for management of PSD.
The Role of Individual Cysteine Residues in the Activity of Escherichia coli RNase T (*)

Escherichia coli RNase T, which is responsible for the 3′ processing and end-turnover of tRNA and the maturation of 5 S RNA, is extremely sensitive to sulfhydryl reagents and to oxidation, suggesting a role for cysteine residues in its activity. Titration of homogeneous RNase T with 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) revealed that the 4 cysteine residues present in each of the two protein subunits are in a reduced form and that 1 or 2 of them are important for activity. To identify these residue(s), each of the cysteines in RNase T was changed individually to either serine or alanine. The serine mutant at position 168 is greatly reduced in RNase T activity both in vivo and in vitro; likewise, the serine mutant at position 112 and the alanine mutants at positions 112 and 168 also display decreased RNase T activity. Mutations at the other cysteine positions show little or no change. Kinetic analyses of the mutant enzymes showed that the K values of C168S and C168A are increased considerably, whereas their V values are reduced only slightly compared to the wild type enzyme. The other mutant enzymes are little changed. Additional amino acid replacements at position 168 showed that the in vivo and in vitro activities of RNase T are in the order Cys ≈ Val > Ala Ser Asn ≈ Asp, which closely follows the relative hydrophobicity of these amino acid residues. However, the affinity for tRNA, determined by fluorescence quenching, is not altered in C168S, suggesting that Cys-168 is not directly involved in substrate binding. Interestingly, proteins altered at position 168 showed increased temperature sensitivity as the residue at that position became less hydrophobic. These data indicate that Cys-168 contributes a hydrophobic group that influences the structure and ultimately the catalytic activity of RNase T.
Validation of a Diabetic Wound Classification System: The contribution of depth, infection, and ischemia to risk of amputation

OBJECTIVE To validate a wound classification instrument that includes assessment of depth, infection, and ischemia based on the eventual outcome of the wound. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We evaluated the medical records of 360 diabetic patients presenting for care of foot wounds at a multidisciplinary tertiary care foot clinic. As per protocol, all patients had a standardized evaluation to assess wound depth, sensory neuropathy, vascular insufficiency, and infection. Patients were assessed at 6 months after their initial evaluation to see whether an amputation had been performed. RESULTS There was a significant overall trend toward increased prevalence of amputations as wounds increased in both depth (χ2trend = 143.1, P < 0.001) and stage (χ2trend = 91.0, P < 0.001). This was true for every subcategory as well with the exception of noninfected, nonischemic ulcers. There were no amputations performed within this stage during the follow-up period. Patients were more than 11 times more likely to receive a midfoot or higher level amputation if their wound probed to bone (18.3 vs. 2.0%, P < 0.001, χ2 = 31.5, odds ratio (OR) = 11.1, CI = 4.0–30.3). Patients with infection and ischemia were nearly 90 times more likely to receive a midfoot or higher amputation compared with patients in less advanced wound stages (76.5 vs. 3.5%, P < 0.001, χ2 = 133.5, OR = 89.6, CI = 25–316). CONCLUSIONS Outcomes deteriorated with increasing grade and stage of wounds when measured using the University of Texas Wound Classification System.
Early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: It's not a matter of opinion

I read with interest the article regarding the role of imaging techniques in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by Bruix et al. published in HEPATOLOGY. In this special article, the investigators made an updated, comprehensive review on the pivotal role of imaging techniques in the management of HCC. This article is very helpful for clinical hepatologists to tackle problems that are frequently encountered when facing various stages of HCC. However, several points may be misleading and need clarification. As we know, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is widely used in the Asia-Pacific region to diagnose and follow-up HCC. This tumor marker is neglected by the investigators simply because of inadequate sensitivity. On the other hand, immunohistochemical staining for glypican 3, heat shock protein 70, glutamine synthase, and clathrin heavy chain, with doubtful value, and unfamiliar to most hepatologists, are believed by the investigators to be able to reinforce the diagnosis of HCC. This policy appears to be impractical. As stated in the article, there is risk of overestimation of the necrosis extent by imaging studies. Some patients classified as complete response have residual disease at the time of explant, if resected or transplanted. If patients have an elevated serum AFP before treatment, serum AFP is not likely to return to normal if residual cancers persist. By the supplement of serum AFP, the risk of overestimation could definitely be further reduced. Regarding the treatment interval of chemoembolization, the investigators suggested two treatment sessions at baseline, then repeated every 6 months. Follow-up monitoring beyond 1 month of therapy by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was also suggested. If viable tumors are noted by imaging studies, another session of chemoembolization would be delayed until the interval of 6 months. This would definitely elicit anxiety for HCC patients with large or multiple tumors. Enlarged lymph nodes could evoke confusion in the staging of HCC. Indeed, the presence of slightly enlarged lymph nodes can be observed in cirrhosis of any etiology. Neither image can clearly recognize or exclude the presence of cancers. Hence, the investigators suggested that only lymph nodes greater than 2 cm could be declared as malignant involvement. This appears to be arbitrary, rather than evidence based. In my personal experience, malignant involvement of lymph nodes could be as small as 1 cm. In contrast, an individual with HCC and portal vein involvement and an abdominal lymph node up to 3 cm without cancer cells has also been encountered. Thus, assessment of malignant involvement cannot be simply based on the size of the lymph node. More studies are required to clarify this issue.
A radiological study of gastric (abomasal) emptying in calves before and after vagotomy.

1. Gastric emptying has been studied in the conscious, standing calf by lateral radiography and fluoroscopy of radiopaque meals instilled into the abomasum before and after vagotomy. 2. Bilateral cervical vagotomy proved to be the only certain way of achieving total vagal transection. By instillation of milk into the abomasum through a cannula calves were maintained in normal, healthy condition for up to 36 days after vagotomy. 3. Motility of the antrum was not impaired by vagotomy so that some movement of gastric chyme to the duodenum occurred within minutes of instillation into the abomasum. Complete transference of the test meal was, however, delayed after vagotomy. 4. The greatest effect of vagotomy appeared to be on the abomasal body so that inadequate amounts of chyme were transferred to the antrum for pumping to the duodenum. 5. Delay in passage of contrast material through the intestine was related to delay in gastric emptying although vagotomy may have affected the intestine directly. 6. Following vagotomy the abomasum showed a resumption of normal motility and emptying after 7‐29 days. This effect of vagotomy is similar to that seen in the simple stomach and is probably due to the establishment of intrinsic gastric control.
Preferential Budding of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus from the Basolateral Surface of Polarized Epithelial Cells Is Not Solely Directed by Matrix Protein or Glycoprotein

ABSTRACT Vesicular stomatitis virus has been shown to bud basolaterally, and the matrix protein, but not glycoprotein, was proposed to mediate this asymmetry. Using polarized T84 monolayers, we demonstrate that no single viral protein is sufficient for polarized budding. Particles are released from the apical and basolateral surfaces and are indistinguishable, indicating that there is no apical assembly defect. We propose that aspects of host cell polarity create a more efficient budding process at the basolateral surface.
Function of a relaxed-like state following temperature downshifts in Escherichia coli

Temperature downshifts of Escherichia coli throughout its growth range resulted in transient growth inhibition and a cold shock response consisting of transient induction of several proteins, repression of heat shock proteins, and, despite the growth lag, continued synthesis of proteins involved in transcription and translation. The paradoxical synthesis of the latter proteins, which are normally repressed when growth is arrested, was explored further. First, by means of a nutritional downshift, a natural stringent response was induced in wild-type cells immediately prior to a shift from 37 to 10 degrees C. These cells displayed decreased synthesis of transcriptional and translational proteins and decreased induction of cold shock proteins; also, adaptation for growth at 10 degrees C was delayed, even after restoration of the nutrient supplementation. Next, the contribution of guanosine 5'-triphosphate-3'-diphosphate and guanosine 5'-diphosphate-3'-diphosphate, collectively abbreviated (p)ppGpp, to the alteration in cold shock response was studied with the aid of a mutant strain in which overproduction of these nucleotides can be artificially induced. Induction of (p)ppGpp synthesis immediately prior to shifting this strain from 37 to 10 degrees C produced results differing only in a few details from those described above for nutritional downshift of the wild-type strain. Finally, shifting a relA spoT mutant, which cannot synthesize (p)ppGpp, from 24 to 10 degrees C resulted in a greater induction of the cold shock proteins, increased synthesis of transcriptional and translational proteins, decreased synthesis of a major heat shock protein, and faster adaptation to growth than for the wild-type strain. Our results indicate that the previously reported decrease in the (p)ppGpp level following temperature downshift plays a physiological role in the regulation of gene expression and adaptation for growth at low temperature.
Spatial Distribution of Selected Genetic Loci in Nuclei of Human Leukemia Cells after Irradiation

Abstract Jirsová, P., Kozubek, S. , Bártová, E. , Kozubek, M. , Lukášová, E. , Cafourková, A. , Koutná, I. and Skalníková, M. Spatial Distribution of Selected Genetic Loci in Nuclei of Human Leukemia Cells after Irradiation. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) combined with high-resolution cytometry was used to determine the topographic characteristics of the centromeric heterochromatin (of the chromosomes 6, 8, 9, 17) and the tumor suppressor gene TP53 (which is located on chromosome 17) in cells of the human leukemia cell lines ML-1 and U937. Analysis was performed on cells that were either untreated or irradiated with γ rays and incubated for different intervals after exposure. Compared to untreated cells, homologous centromeres and the TP53 genes were found closer to each other and also closer to the nuclear center 2 h after irradiation. The spatial relationship between genetic elements returned to that of the unirradiated controls during the next 2–3 h. Statistical evaluation of our experimental results shows that homologous centromeres and the homologous genes are positioned closer to each other 2 h after irradiation because they are localized closer to the center of the nucleus (probably due to more pronounced decondensation of the chromatin related to repair). This radial movement of genetic loci, however, is not connected with repair of DSBs by processes involving homologous recombination, because the angular distribution of homologous sequences remains random after irradiation.
Tumor necrosis factor blockers in rheumatoid arthritis.

For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a new era in treatment has begun. This optimistic view, shared widely by rheumatologists, reflects the introduction in the past two years of novel agents to treat this painful and debilitating condition. These agents, including the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, are the fruits of biotechnology and bring improvements in efficacy and safety. Furthermore, children will be among the candidates for these new treatments, since as shown by the results reported by Lovell et al. in this issue of the Journal, 1 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, like adults, have an impressive response to TNF blockade.
Cellular Concentrations of DDB 2 Regulate Dynamic Binding of DDB 1 at UV-Induced DNA Damage

Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Medical Genetics Center, Erasmus Medical Center, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Nuclear Organization Group, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 318, 1098 SM Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Toxicogenetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; and Department of Pathology, Josephine Nefkens Institute, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands
A Landscape Comes to Life: The Iron Age I

Over the course of its two centuries, the Iron I landscape of the southern Levant witnessed the formation of the social, economic, and political foundations of the familiar constellation of Iron Age states. From Israel to Edom, all emerge from this era's fascinating amalgam of regional variations, disparate population groups, and alternate economies. The story of this momentous period includes the biblical story of the transition from the city-states of Canaan to the United Monarchy of Israel. The story of the Iron I is also the story of the emergence of distinct groups on the borders of what would become Israel and Judah. Moreover, alongside the national trajectories of Ammon, Moab, and Edom, the Philistines and the Phoenicians carry forward the Bronze Age city-state mode of organization. The extraordinary events at the end of the Late Bronze Age-huge population movements, military disasters, the general demise of the city-state system, and the destabilization of Egypt's empire in south Canaan-shaped the Iron I as a period of regionally-based accommodation rather than of widespread conformity. The absence of great international markets forced most settlements to concentrate on achieving self-sufficiency, combining small-scale agriculture with animal husbandry. Archaeological survey and excavation have shown that a major element in this transition was the establishment of hundreds of small villages, renewing a landscape that had been but sparsely inhabited in the LBA. The origin of these settlers remains a vexed question, and, in particular, there is no easy reconstruction of the Israelite conquest and settlement based on combined archaeological and biblical evidence. The salient features of Iron I material culture demonstrate continuity from the LBA. Were it not for the Bible, no late thirteenth-early twelfth century Israelite invasion would be suspected. The complex archaeological and textual evidence of Iron I settlement demands a more nuanced approach than can be offered by any single model.
Functionalization of emissive conjugated polymer nanoparticles by coprecipitation: consequences for particle photophysics and colloidal properties

The functionalization of polyfluorene (PFO) nanoparticles by coprecipitation of the conjugated polymer with an amphiphilic comb polymer, consisting of a hydrophobic polystyrene backbone with hydrophilic, carboxylic acid-terminated polyethylene oxide side-chains (PS-PEG-COOH), is investigated. The comb polymer affects the properties of the formed hybrid nanoparticles. Non-functionalized particles are typically larger (28 nm) than functionalized ones (20 nm); peak molar extinction coefficients are found to differ in a similar trend. Zeta potentials are negative, consistent with negative surface charge on PFO particles due to chemical defect formation, with additional charge on functionalized particles due to the pendant carboxylic acid groups. Emission quantum yields of functionalized particles are typically larger, consistent with lower efficiency of energy transfer to quenchers in smaller particles and weaker PFO interchain interactions due to chain dilution. The trend in per-particle fluorescence brightness values, as confirmed by single particle fluorescence imaging, reflects the nanoparticle extinction coefficients. Photostability studies on aqueous dispersions of hybrid particles indicate mild photobrightening under continuous illumination while PFO particles exhibit slow exponential emission decay. Functionalized particles are also resistant to aggregation during exposure to adenocarcinoma cells. Generally, the hybrid particles exhibit more favorable time-, pH- and medium-dependent stabilities, likely due to steric and electrostatic stabilization by PEG-carboxylic acid functionalities. Overall, the functionalized particles exhibit attractive properties: Reasonably small size, tight size distribution, high absorption cross section, radiative rate and emission quantum yield, excellent brightness and photostability, and good colloidal stability.