Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Notes on the Decomposition of Malmquist Productivity Indexes

A paper by Caves, Christensen, Diewert (Econometrica 50,1393-1414, 1982) led to much interest in what they called the “Malmquist index”; a distance function method for representing technology in order to define families of input, output and productivity indexes. Since then there have been attempts to decompose the Malmquist productivity index into technical change, efficiency change and scale change components. Determining the appropriate way to do this has led to a healthy debate. This paper revisits this debate of how to decompose a Malmquist productivity index, with a focus on extracting technical progress, technical efficiency change, and returns to scale components. a: University of British Columbia b: University of New South Wales, School of Economics, Sydney 2052, Australia. K.Fox@unsw.edu. au
Multiple-output boost resonant inverter for high efficiency and cost-effective induction heating applications

Induction heating is an efficient and high performance heating method which already has a significant market penetration and economic impact due to its benefits inherent to contactless energy transfer systems such as quickness, cleanness, and safety. In order to improve the efficiency and performance of modern induction heating systems, this paper presents a multiple-output boost resonant inverter. The proposed topologies significantly improves the converter efficiency due to the reduced current level while being able to supply several induction loads. Consequently, a high-performance and cost-effective implementation is achieved. The proposed converter has been tested through a 3.6-kW dual-output prototype, proving the feasibility of this proposal.
Bracket base remnants after orthodontic debonding.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the debonding procedure leads to restitutio ad integrum of the enamel surface by investigating the presence of enamel within the bracket base remnants after debonding. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty patients who completed orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances were included. A total of 1068 brackets were microphotographed; the brackets presenting some remnants on the base (n = 818) were selected and analyzed with ImageJ software to measure the remnant area. From this population a statistically significant sample (n = 100) was observed under a scanning electron microscope to check for the presence of enamel within the remnants. Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry was also performed to obtain quantitative data. RESULTS Statistically significant differences in the remnant percentage between arches were observed for incisor and canine brackets (P < .0001 and P = .022, respectively). From a morphologic analysis of the scanning electron micrographs the bracket bases were categorized in 3 groups: group A, bases presenting a thin enamel coat (83%); group B, bases showing sizable enamel fragments (7%); group C, bases with no morphologic evidence of enamel presence (10%). Calcium presence was noted on all evaluated brackets under energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry. No significant difference was observed in the Ca/Si ratio between group A (16.21%) and group B (18.77%), whereas the Ca/Si ratio in group C (5.40%) was significantly lower than that of the other groups (P < .323 and P = .0001, respectively). CONCLUSION The objective of an atraumatic debonding is not achieved yet; in some cases the damage could be clinically relevant.
RoboCOP

Rehearsing in front of a live audience is invaluable when preparing for important presentations. However, not all presenters take the opportunity to engage in such rehearsal, due to time constraints, availability of listeners who can provide constructive feedback, or public speaking anxiety. We present RoboCOP, an automated anthropomorphic robot head that acts as a coach to provide spoken feedback during presentation rehearsals at both the individual slide and overall presentation level. The robot offers conversational coaching on three key aspects of presentations: speech quality, content coverage, and audience orientation. The design of the feedback strategies was informed by findings from an exploratory study with academic professionals who were experienced in mentoring students on their presentations. In a within-subjects study comparing RoboCOP to visual feedback and spoken feedback without a robot, the robotic coach was shown to lead to significant improvement in the overall experience of presenters. Results of a second within-subjects evaluation study comparing RoboCOP with existing rehearsal practices show that our system creates a natural, interactive, and motivating rehearsal environment that leads to improved presentation quality.
Clustering and clinical diversity of adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma associated with HTLV‐I in a remote black population of French Guiana

An epidemiological study was performed in French Guiana (population 115,000) to determine the prevalence and incidence of adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) associated with human T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type I (HTLV‐I). From January 1990 to December 1993, all suspected cases of ATL were enrolled in this study, and their clinical, epidemiological and immunovirological features were analyzed. Out of the 19 suspected cases, 18 were considered as ATL associated with HTLV‐I (8 acute forms, 8 lymphoma types and 2 smoldering cases). Before this study, only 2 ATL cases had been reported in French Guiana over a 10‐year period. This demonstrates that the number of ATL cases is greatly underestimated in most tropical HTLV‐I endemic areas unless a specific disease search is performed. The mean age of the patients was 41 years. While HTLV‐I antibodies were present in all cases, molecular studies demonstrated a clonal integration of HTLV‐I in the tumoral cells in 7 cases out of the 9 tested. Fifteen patients died within a year of diagnosis. The crude incidence rate of ATL in French Guiana is around 3.5/100,000/year, a situation similar to that found in the Caribbean and in HTLV‐I‐endemic regions of Japan. However it reaches around 30/100,000/year (highest incidence ever described) in a small remote ethnic group of African origin (around 6200 inhabitants). Possible causes of ATL clustering in this ethnic group are presented. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multiple regions of the Arabidopsis SAUR‐AC1 gene control transcript abundance: the 3′ untranslated region functions as an mRNA instability determinant.

The small‐auxin‐up‐RNA (SAUR) transcripts are rapidly induced by auxin and are among the most short‐lived mRNAs in higher plants. In this study, we investigate the regulation of SAUR‐AC1, a well characterized SAUR gene of Arabidopsis. Be examining the expression of chimeric genes in transgenic tobacco, we demonstrate that the promoter region of SAUR‐AC1 mediates auxin induction. Sequences downstream of the promoter region were found to limit mRNA accumulation in a manner that was independent of auxin treatment. Both the coding region and the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of SAUR‐AC1 independently contribute to this limitation. Effects on mRNA stability were assayed using chimeric genes under the control of the tetracycline‐repressible Top10 promoter. mRNA half‐life analysis following tetracycline treatment showed that the SAUR‐AC1 coding region does not contain elements that decrease mRNA stability. In contrast, the 3′ UTR was found to act as a potent mRNA instability determinant. This finding and the general utility of the Top10 system should provide the means to elucidate mRNA decay pathways that are potentially novel and specific for certain unstable transcripts.
Targeted α-Therapy of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer with 225Ac-PSMA-617: Dosimetry Estimate and Empiric Dose Finding

The aim of this study was to develop a treatment protocol for 225Ac-PSMA-617 α-radiation therapy in advanced-stage, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)–positive tumor phenotype. Methods: A dosimetry estimate was calculated on the basis of time–activity curves derived from serially obtained 177Lu-PSMA-617 scans extrapolated to the physical half-life of 225Ac, assuming instant decay of unstable daughter nuclides. Salvage therapies empirically conducted with 50 (n = 4), 100 (n = 4), 150 (n = 2), and 200 kBq/kg (n = 4) of 225Ac-PSMA-617 were evaluated retrospectively regarding toxicity and treatment response. Eight of 14 patients received further cycles in either 2- or 4-mo intervals with identical or deescalated activities. Results: Dosimetry estimates for 1 MBq of 225Ac-PSMA-617 assuming a relative biologic effectiveness of 5 revealed mean doses of 2.3 Sv for salivary glands, 0.7 Sv for kidneys, and 0.05 Sv for red marrow that are composed of 99.4% α, 0.5% β, and 0.1% photon radiation, respectively. In clinical application, severe xerostomia became the dose-limiting toxicity if treatment activity exceeded 100 kBq/kg per cycle. At 100 kBq/kg, the duration of prostate-specific antigen decline was less than 4 mo, but if therapy was repeated every 2 mo patients experienced additive antitumor effects. Treatment activities of 50 kBq/kg were without toxicity but induced insufficient antitumor response in these high-tumor-burden patients. Remarkable antitumor activity by means of objective radiologic response or tumor marker decline was observed in 9 of 11 evaluable patients. Conclusion: For advanced-stage patients, a treatment activity of 100 kBq/kg of 225Ac-PSMA-617 per cycle repeated every 8 wk presents a reasonable trade-off between toxicity and biochemical response.
Synthesis of α‐glucans in fission yeast spores is carried out by three α‐glucan synthase paralogues, Mok12p, Mok13p and Mok14p

Fission yeast possesses a family of (1,3)‐α‐glucan synthase‐related genes; one of them, mok1+/ags1+, plays an essential function in morphogenesis during vegetative growth. Here we show that three mok1+ paralogues –mok12+, mok13+ and mok14+– are required for sporulation to succeed, acting at different stages of the spore wall maturation process. Mutation of mok12+ affected the efficiency of spore formation and spore viability. Deletion of mok13+ does not affect spore viability but the spores showed reduced resistance to stress conditions. mok14Δ mutant spores failed to accumulate the amylose‐like spore wall‐specific polymer. mok12+, mok13+ and mok14+ expression was restricted to sporulating cells and the proteins localized to the spore envelope but with different timing. mok11+ was also induced during the sporulation process although its deletion did not show apparently a sporulation defect. In vegetative cells, β‐glucans are more abundant than α‐glucans (55% versus 28%). In spores, the situation was the opposite, α‐glucans accounted for 46% while β‐glucans were approximately 38% of the total polysaccharides. We found at least two types of α‐glucan polymers, Mok12p and Mok13p, were involved in the synthesis of the greater part of α‐glucan in the spores envelope, a polymer that is mainly digested with α‐1,3 glucanase, while Mok14p, homologous to starch synthases, was required for the synthesis of the iodine‐reactive polymer that is made of α‐1,4 glucose residues.
Zebrafish pituitary gene expression before and after sexual maturation.

Sexual maturation and somatic growth cessation are associated with adolescent development, which is precisely controlled by interconnected neuroendocrine regulatory pathways in the endogenous endocrine system. The pituitary gland is one of the key regulators of the endocrine system. By analyzing the RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) transcriptome before and after sexual maturation, in this study, we characterized the global gene expression patterns in zebrafish pituitaries at 45 and 90 days post-fertilization (dpf). A total of 15 043 annotated genes were expressed in the pituitary tissue, 3072 of which were differentially expressed with a greater than or equal to twofold change between pituitaries at 45 and 90 dpf. In the pituitary transcriptome, the most abundant transcript was gh. The expression levels of gh remained high even after sexual maturation at 90 dpf. Among the eight major pituitary hormone genes, lhb was the only gene that exhibited a significant change in its expression levels between 45 and 90 dpf. Significant changes in the pituitary transcripts included genes involved in the regulation of immune responses, bone metabolism, and hormone secretion processes during the juvenile-sexual maturity transition. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis was carried out to verify the RNA-seq transcriptome results and demonstrated that the expression patterns of the eight major pituitary hormone genes did not exhibit a significant gender difference at 90 dpf. For the first time, we report the quantitative global gene expression patterns at the juvenile and sexual maturity stages. These expression patterns may account for the dynamic neuroendocrine regulation observed in body metabolism.
Deficient G2 phase repair of radiation-induced chromatin damage in the SENCAR mouse.

The SENCAR mouse, selectively bred for sensitivity to skin tumor induction by two-stage chemical carcinogenesis, is also genetically hypersensitive to skin carcinogenesis by high doses of UV. Skin fibroblasts from the SENCAR mouse exposed during G2 phase to radiation associated with intracellular hydroxyl radical formation, i.e. X-rays or near UV/visible light, showed a higher frequency of chromatid breaks at 2 h post-irradiation than skin fibroblasts from six other inbred strains of mice including C3H/HeN. However the level was similar to that reported previously for the BALB/cAn mouse known to be resistant to chemical carcinogenesis of skin. When exposed for 2 h to visible light (8 W/m2), chromatid breaks persisted in fibroblasts from the SENCAR mouse during the 4 h post-irradiation period, but showed an abrupt decline in C3H/HeN fibroblasts within 1 h after irradiation. Skin fibroblasts from the tumor-sensitive SENCAR mouse differed from those of the resistant BALB/cAn in response to beta-cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) an inhibitor of the repair polymerase. Ara-C added to cultures of SENCAR and BALB/cAn cells after G2 X-irradiation (68R) increased chromatid gaps 18-fold and breaks 2-fold in BALB/cAn cells but had no effect on SENCAR cells even though incorporated into DNA to the same extent. The present results suggest that the SENCAR mouse is deficient in at least two aspects of DNA repair: (i) ligation or a prior step in the repair process leading to ligation and (ii) repair endonucleolytic incision at DNA lesions induced by irradiation.
Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Schoolchildren and Adolescents in Turkey: A Population-based Study

AIM To determine prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in the pediatric population. METHODS We studied 2,491 schoolchildren randomly selected aged 10-19 years using a multistage, stratified sampling design. Obese and overweight participants were called for further investigation (n = 456). Of these, 310 participants underwent OGTT. MS was defined according to IDF, NCEP and modified WHO guidelines. RESULTS The prevalence of obesity and overweight were 6.8% and 11.5%, respectively. While MS was found in 2.3% of the total population according to IDF guidelines, its prevalence was increased among overweight and obese individuals. MS prevalence was similar by both IDF and NCEP definitions but higher according to WHO definition. Individuals with MS were consistent by both IDF and NCEP definitions (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 99%, positive predictive value = 95.2%). IDF and WHO defined different individuals as having MS (sensitivity = 67.5%, specificity = 90%, positive predictive value = 67.5%). CONCLUSIONS Although not as high as in developed countries, MS prevalence determined in schoolchildren and adolescents in Turkey warrants preventive measures. MS diagnosis in one of every three obese children shows that MS is an important public health problem in Turkey as well.
Perturbation analysis in photonic crystal waveguides disorders

In this paper, the accuracy of Coupled Mode Theory (CMT) and Mode Matching (MM) method in estimating the scattering due to geometric perturbations in photonic crystal waveguides is examined. Two CMT formulations are considered: The instantaneous virtual grating (IVG) and the conventional CMT. The two CMT formulations and the MM method are compared against the Finite Difference Frequency Domain (FDFD) combined with the Adjoint Variable (AV) method. The results obtained with the AV/FDFD and MM methods agree very well, proving the validity of the latter for the sensitivity analysis of photonic crystal waveguide structures. It is also deduced that although both CMT formulations lead to almost identical results, they can provide only a first approximation to the perturbation-induced scattering.
Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) Locus

Multiple highly polymorphic markers have been used to construct a genetic map of the q12-q13.1 region of chromosome 20 and to map the location of the maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) locus. The genetic map encompasses 23 cM and includes 11 loci with PIC values >. 50, seven of which have PICs >. 70. New dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms associated with the D20S17, PPGB, and ADA loci have been identified and mapped. The dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms have increased the PIC of the ADA locus to . 89 and, with an additional RFLP at the D20S17 locus, the PIC of the D20S17 locus to . 88. The order of the D20S17 and ADA loci determined genetically (cen-ADA-D20S17-qter) was confirmed by multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization. The previously unmapped PPGB marker is closely linked to D20S17, with a two-point lod score of 50.53 at 6 = . 005. These markers and dinucleotide repeat markers associated with the D20S43, D20S46, D20S55, D20S75, and PLC1 loci and RFLPs at the D20S16, D20S17, D20S22, and D20S33 have been used to map the MODY locus on chromosome 20 to a 13-cM (sex averaged) interval encompassing ADA, D20S17, PPGB, D20S16, and D20S75 on the long arm of chromosome 20 and to
Klotho in diabetes and diabetic nephropathy : a brief update review

The growing data demonstrate that Klotho (KL) is deeply implicated in the diabetic nephropathy. The circulating form of α-Klotho (α-KL) named as soluble KL functions as an endocrine substance that exerts heterogeneous actions including the modulation of renal function upon hyperglycemia, regulation of cell compensation, downgrade inflammation and anti-oxidation. There is a positive correlation between progression of renal disease/other complications and systemic KL deficiency in diabetes mellitus patients. Restoration by exogenous supplementation or stimulation of endogenous KL may prevent and/or ameliorate kidney injury and mitigate development of diabetes mellitus. KL signaling is intertwined with mTOR, NF-κB, Wnt and PPAR-γ. KL can possibly emerge on the horizon as a candidate for an unprecedented sole biomarker and intervention in patients with diabetes mellitus or the complication like diabetic nephropathy.
A CAAX motif can compensate for the PH domain of Num1 for cortical dynein attachment

During mitosis in budding yeast, cortically anchored dynein exerts pulling forces on cytoplasmic microtubules, moving the mitotic spindle into the mother-bud neck. Anchoring of dynein requires the cortical patch protein Num1, which is hypothesized to interact with PI(4,5)P2 via its C-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. Here we show that the PH domain and PI(4,5)P2 are required for the cortical localization of Num1, but are not sufficient to mediate the cortical assembly of Num1 patches. A GFP fusion to the PH domain localizes to the cortex in foci containing ~2 molecules, whereas patches of full-length Num1-GFP contain ~14 molecules. A membrane targeting sequence containing the CAAX motif from the yeast Ras2 protein can compensate for the PH domain to target Num1 to the plasma membrane as discrete patches. The CAAX-targeted Num1 exhibits overlapping but largely distinct localization from wild-type Num1. However, it is fully functional in the dynein pathway. More importantly, cortical PI(4,5)P2 is dispensable for the localization and function of the CAAX-targeted Num1. Together, these results demonstrate that cortical assembly of Num1 into functional dynein-anchoring patches is independent of its interaction with PI(4,5)P2.
Trading Up — The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP): Promoting Waves of Innovation

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a new mega-regional trade accord and the most ambitious international trade deal for 20 years. Although it still has to be ratified, once in place we expect it to lead to substantial improvements in intellectual property protection and market openness, which will both act as catalysts for increased innovation. A larger market can lead to bigger returns and can incentivise R&D expenditure as businesses strive to make new products for the expanded market.All this could transform the performance of companies in an area representing almost 40% of global GDP and more than 25% of global trade. The 12 TPP partners include a mix of advanced and emerging economies: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States & Vietnam.Under TPP, reinforced intellectual property rights will improve the availability of legal protection for innovative ideas, helping to protect intangible assets like trade secrets from abuse. TPP will bolster markets for intellectual property, such as patents, and products that incorporate protected innovation, such as electronics. TPP also clarifies what constitutes fair use of intellectual property. These enhancements can benefit firms, whether they use proprietary models (like filmmakers) or open architecture strategies (like open source software developers). In time, TPP provisions addressing these areas could act as a template for other proposed mega-regional agreements.We think TPP changes the rules of the game for trade and innovation. Developing countries like Chile, Malaysia, Peru or Vietnam gain access to a large pool of innovation via open markets, promoting technology transfer. Developed countries like the US and Japan will be able to market each innovative product to more customers.This report reviews the trade and innovation nexus in the context of the proposed rule-based trade reforms under TPP. It highlights opportunities this represents at firm level and for national-level economic development.
Identificação de uma nova fitase bacteriana através de prospecção metagenômica

A diversidade bacteriana de amostras ambientais e seu potencial ainda sao pouco explorados. As abordagens metagenomicas oferecem a oportunidade para a prospeccao de genes de interesse biotecnologico a partir de microrganismos nao-cultivaveis em laboratorio. Materiais em processo de compostagem exibem grande atividade microbiologica, o que torna o ambiente propicio para a degradacao de material lignocelulosico. Neste contexto, diversas enzimas vem sendo identificadas por catalisarem estas reacoes. As fitases sao enzimas fosfatases amplamente produzidas que hidrolisam o fitato liberando fosforo e minerais quelados. Devido a este potencial, estas enzimas tem se tornado facilmente interessantes para o campo biotecnologico. Procurou-se assim, investigar o potencial metagenomico para a identificacao de genes com atividade fitasica. Apos a obtencao do material, foi realizada a extracao de DNA, seguida da etapa de purificacao. Usou-se o DNA total extraido para construcao de biblioteca metagenomica em vetor cosmideo, atraves de kits comerciais (EPICENTRE). Os clones positivos para atividade fitasica foram sequenciados e analisados. A prospeccao realizada neste estudo, identificou um gene (PhyRC001) que codifica uma fitase, onde, a identidade de aminoacidos entre PhyRC001 e os seus homologos mais proximos publicados sao inferiores a 60%.