Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Productivity Growth and the General X-factor in Austria’s Gas Distribution

We estimate cost functions to derive productivity growth using a unique database on costs and outputs of essentially all regulated Austrian gas distribution companies over the period 2002-2013, covering the times before and after the introduction of incentive regulation in 2008. We estimate a concave relation between total costs and time, and a significant one-off but permanent reduction in real costs after an imposed reduction in granted costs in the course of the introduction of incentive regulation. Our results imply that technological opportunities were higher in the early years of the sample than in later years, and that productivity growth grinded to a halt from 2008 on. We conclude that technological opportunities are exhausted (for the time being) in the Austrian gas distribution sector giving rise to an optimal general X factor (X-gen) of zero for the foreseeable future. (authors' abstract)
High‐level endothelial E‐selectin (CD62E) cell adhesion molecule expression by a lipopolysaccharide‐deficient strain of Neisseria meningitidis despite poor activation of NF‐κB transcription factor

Binding of host inflammatory cells to the endothelium is a critical contributor to the vascular damage characteristic of severe meningococcal disease and is regulated by endothelial cell adhesion molecules such as ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1 and CD62E. Intact meningococci induce far higher levels of CD62E than lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone, whereas LPS is at least as potent as meningococci at inducing both VCAM‐1 and ICAM‐1 expression. This suggests that meningococci possess additional factors other than LPS present in whole bacteria that result in differential adhesion molecule expression. To investigate this possibility, we studied the capacity of an LPS‐deficient isogenic strain of serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis H44/76 (lpxA‐) to induce endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression and translocation of the transcription factor NF‐κB, and compared it to both parent and unencapsulated strains of both B1940 and H44/76 and purified LPS. Although the LPS‐deficient isogenic mutant of strain H44/76 was found to be a poor inducer of NF‐κB, it induced higher levels of CD62E expression than LPS alone. These data provide evidence that intact meningococci induce a range of signals in the endothelium that are distinct from those seen with purified LPS alone and that they occur in a LPS‐dependent and LPS‐independent manner. These signals may explain the potent effects of N. meningitidis on CD62E expression on vascular endothelium and provide a basis for the complex endothelial dysregulation seen in meningococcal sepsis.
Managing Capital Inflows Indirectly? On the Determinants of Monetary Sterilization with Reference to East Asia

This paper derives a time-varying sterilization coefficient to examine those factors that determine the extent to which central banks might engage in monetary sterilization. There appear to be good reasons to do so: Sterilization neutralizes the monetary impact of reserve accumulation, which is an endogenous consequence of sustained capital inflows under some degree of management of exchange rates. A pooled sample of Asian economies incorporating Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, for 1994–2012 is employed. We find that this method does help to directly uncover the determinants of sterilization, and while capital inflows do not appear to influence the sterilization directly, there is substantial evidence to suggest it does so indirectly—particularly through domestic interest rates.
Cost-Efficient Distributed MapReduce Job Scheduling across Cloud Federation

This paper proposes a fully distributed scheduling algorithm to process MapReduce data-intensive applications across geo-distributed clusters in federated clouds. The proposed algorithm, called FedSCD, takes advantage of data locality while reducing both VM cost and data transfer cost (between clusters) subject to Deadline constraint. This work is compared to conventional partially distributed scheduling algorithms in federated multi-cloud environments. Performance evaluation proves that the proposed algorithm FedSCD can reduce the MapReduce job cost by an average of 40% and ensure optimal resource allocation.
Report on Shanghai Norms for the Chinese Translation of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Revised

The Chinese translation of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Revised (WISC—RC) was administered to 660 children (ages 6 through 16 yr.) in the city of Shanghai. The obtained norms represent children's intelligence levels in big cities where the economic and cultural development is advanced. The norms are reported as “Scaled Score Equivalents of Raw Scores” for each age group and as “IQ Equivalents of Sums of Scaled Scores. ” The reliability and validity of the norms indicate that the WISC—R is suitable for use with school-age children in China. The difference between the results for our Shanghai sample (WISC—RCs) and a USA sample (WISC—R) is also discussed.
Cognitive impairment in the nondemented elderly. Results from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To describe a population that was categorized as "cognitively impaired not demented" (CIND) and to examine the utility of some of the proposed criteria for describing this degree of cognitive impairment. DESIGN Population-based prevalence study of dementia in those subjects who were 65 years and older. SETTING Community and institutional settings in Canada. SUBJECTS Individuals who underwent a clinical evaluation (N = 2914). INTERVENTION Initial screening with the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) to identify potential cognitive impairment; the 3MS was followed by a detailed clinical examination to confirm the presence of dementia and to determine the probable cause. Clinical examinations were performed on all those subjects who were residing in institutions, those in the community with a 3MS score less than 78, and a sample of those in the community with a 3MS score of 78 or more. Neuropsychological testing was performed as part of the clinical examination when the 3MS score was 50 or more. At the conclusion of the assessment, subjects were categorized as being cognitively normal, CIND, and demented. MEASUREMENTS Frequency of a diagnosis of CIND; demographical, cognitive, and functional characteristics of cognitively normal and CIND subjects and those with early and late dementia; and proportion of subjects who were CIND and met the proposed criteria. RESULTS Subjects who were categorized as CIND were common and fell between cognitively normal subjects and those with dementia in terms of age, 3MS score, general intellectual function, and performance of daily activities. Because of the restrictive inclusion and exclusion criteria, the proposed criteria for cognitive impairment described only 30% of our subjects who were CIND. CONCLUSIONS Subjects who were categorized as CIND appeared to be distinct from and intermediate between subjects with dementia and cognitively normal subjects. Most individuals did not meet the criteria that were evaluated for describing this group. While the various criteria that were evaluated may accurately define a select subset of cognitively impaired individuals, the natural history and prognosis of such groups, currently unknown, may not be generalizable to the larger population of subjects who are CIND. Further work is needed to clearly define this group, and longitudinal studies are required to determine an outcome.
Medical Research Council prospective study of surveillance for stage I testicular teratoma. Medical Research Council Testicular Tumors Working Party.

PURPOSE A prospective study of surveillance after orchidectomy alone in patients with stage I nonseminomatous germ cell testicular tumor (NSGCT) was performed to determine the relapse-free rate and to identify the histologic criteria that predict for relapse. PATIENTS AND METHODS Three hundred ninety-six patients from 16 United Kingdom and one Norwegian centers were entered onto the study between January 1, 1984 and October 1, 1987 of whom 373 were eligible for analysis. In a previous retrospective study, we defined a prognostic index based on histologic criteria that identified a group of patients with a high risk of relapse. This index was based on the presence of venous and lymphatic invasion, undifferentiated cells, and the absence of yolk sac elements in the primary tumor. RESULTS The 2-year actuarial relapse-free rate after orchidectomy was 75% (95% confidence interval, 71% to 79%), and the rate at 5 years was 73%. Five patients died of tumor or treatment-related complications, which resulted in a 5-year survival of 98%. The relapse-free rate in patients with three or four risk factors was 54%. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the safety of surveillance as a method of management and identifies a group of patients with a high risk of relapse. A prospective phase II study has been initiated to determine whether two courses of platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy will prevent relapse in these high-risk patients.
The molecular systematics of blowflies and screwworm flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) using 28S rRNA, COX1 and EF-1α: insights into the evolution of dipteran parasitism

SUMMARY The Calliphoridae include some of the most economically significant myiasis-causing flies in the world – blowflies and screwworm flies – with many being notorious for their parasitism of livestock. However, despite more than 50 years of research, key taxonomic relationships within the family remain unresolved. This study utilizes nucleotide sequence data from the protein-coding genes COX1 (mitochondrial) and EF1α (nuclear), and the 28S rRNA (nuclear) gene, from 57 blowfly taxa to improve resolution of key evolutionary relationships within the family Calliphoridae. Bayesian phylogenetic inference was carried out for each single-gene data set, demonstrating significant topological difference between the three gene trees. Nevertheless, all gene trees supported a Calliphorinae-Luciliinae subfamily sister-lineage, with respect to Chrysomyinae. In addition, this study also elucidates the taxonomic and evolutionary status of several less well-studied groups, including the genus Bengalia (either within Calliphoridae or as a separate sister-family), genus Onesia (as a sister-genera to, or sub-genera within, Calliphora), genus Dyscritomyia and Lucilia bufonivora, a specialised parasite of frogs and toads. The occurrence of cross-species hybridisation within Calliphoridae is also further explored, focusing on the two economically significant species Lucilia cuprina and Lucilia sericata. In summary, this study represents the most comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of family Calliphoridae undertaken to date.
Histological pattern of ovarian neoplasma.

OBJECTIVE To see the morphological pattern of benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms. METHOD Retrospective study of all consecutive cases of ovarian neoplasms diagnosed at Aga Khan University Hospital between 1st January 1993 and 30th September 1998. SETTING The Section of Histopathology, AKUH, Karachi. OBSERVATION Of 855 ovarian tumours 506 (59.18%) were benign and 349 (40.81%) malignant. Surface epithelial-stromal tumours comprised 63.50% of all tumours. Benign cystic teratoma was the commonest benign tumour (35.17% of all benign tumours) and serous cystadenocarcinoma was the commonest malignant tumour (33.33% of all malignant tumours). Mucinous cystadenocarcinomas are more common in our population as compared to the West and borderline and malignant mucinous tumours occur at a younger age group. Malignant germ cell tumours are also common in our population. CONCLUSION Except for the greater frequency of malignant mucinous and germ cell tumours, the findings of our series correspond to the published Western data.
Studies on the characteristics and mechanisms of testicular toxicity induced by Hydroxyurea

Abstract Objective: Apoptosis plays a dominant role in both spontaneous spermatogenesis and germ cell death. This study was aimed to investigate the functions of related genes in testicular germ cell death induced by Hydroxyurea (HU). Method: Wild-type (WT) and FasL transgenic (TG) DBA/C57BL mice were intraperitoneal injected with 400 mg/kg HU. Twelve hours later, testes were collected. Histomorphology of testis was observed by staining with Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS). Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay. mRNA and protein levels of related genes were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Results: The 2 × 2 factorial design comparative experiments between the WT and TG mice showed that the TG mice exhibited a higher basal apoptotic index. The basal mRNA levels of Fas and FasL and protein levels of Fas, FasL, Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 in the TG mice were also higher than that in the WT mice. Twelve hours after injection of HU, the testicular tubules exhibited no significantly morphological changes but apoptosis index remarkably increased in both the WT and TG mice, with the latter having the higher amplitude. Although, HU up-regulated the mRNA of apoptosis-related genes, such as Fas and FasL, in both the TG and WT mice, the increased amplitude was more obvious in the TG mice. By Western blot analysis, apoptosis-related proteins Fas, FasL Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 were significantly increased in both the WT and TG mice, with the TG mice exhibiting a greater up-regulation. Conclusion: Germ cell apoptosis induced by the HU treatment may be related to the FasL-mediated signal transduction pathway.
Silencing of odorant binding protein gene AlinOBP4 by RNAi induces declining electrophysiological responses of Adelphocoris lineolatus to six semiochemicals

Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are believed to be important for transporting semiochemicals through the aqueous sensillar lymph to the olfactory receptor cells within the insect antennal sensilla. Here, we injected AlinOBP4‐siRNA into the conjunctivum between prothorax and mesothorax of the lucerne plant bug, Adelphocoris lineolatus and evaluated the silencing of AlinOBP4 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis, quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) test and electroantennogram (EAG) assay. The combination of RT‐PCR and qPCR analyses revealed that the levels of messenger RNA transcript were significantly reduced ∼95% in AlinOBP4‐siRNA‐treated A. lineolatus males and ∼75% in RNAi‐treated females within 48 hours. It was found that there are different EAG responses between male and female bugs when the AlinOBP4 gene was silenced by RNAi. The EAGs of A. lineolatus to two plant volatiles, tridecanal and hexyl alcohol, were reduced 9.09% and 79.45% in RNAi‐treated males, 62.08% and 62.08% in RNAi‐treated females compared to the controls, separately. Antennae of RNAi‐treated bugs showed significantly lower electrophysiological responses to four sex pheromone analogs, butyl butanoate, 1‐hexyl butyrate, (E)‐2‐hexenyl butyrate and hexyl hexanoate. The EAG recordings were reduced 35.43%, 35.24%, 39.96% and 78.47% in RNAi‐treated males and 64.52%, 18.13%, 36.88% and 49.52% in RNAi‐treated females, respectively. The results suggested that AlinOBP4 might play dual‐roles in the identification of plant volatiles and sex pheromones. It was suspected that AlinOBP4 may have different functions in odor perception between male and female A. lineolatus.
The phenomenon of notch in an NEMP simulator and its reduction

The effect of variation in the switching instant of the output switch of the pulser circuit used in energizing an NEMP simulator on the voltage fed to the simulator and hence the electric field within the working volume of the simulator has been studied. Depending upon the instant at which the output switch closes, the amplitude and the wave shape of the voltage that is fed to the illuminator varies. This wave shape of the output voltage from the pulser circuit determines the shape and characteristics of the electric field within the working volume of the simulator. To study the effect of variation in the switching instant on the vertical electric field within the working volume, the vertical electric field has been computed in time and frequency domains. For certain switching instants, the electric field shows a sharp reduction in its amplitude after the peak which is called the notch. The presence of notch results in the test object not getting illuminated with all the frequencies of interest. The notch has been successfully reduced by suitably modifying the pulser circuit.
Identification of novel microRNA signatures linked to acquired aplastic anemia

Emerging evidence indicates that microRNA control and modulate immunity. MicroRNA have not been investigated in acquired aplastic anemia, a T-cell-mediated immune disease. Analysis of 84 microRNA expression levels in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of patients with aplastic anemia revealed concurrent down-regulation of miR-126-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-223-3p, and miR-199a-5p (>3-fold change, P<0.05) in both T-cell populations, which were unique in aplastic anemia compared to other hematologic disorders. MiR-126-3p and miR-223-3p were down-regulated in CD4+ T effector memory cells, and miR-126-3p, miR-145-5p, and miR-223-3p were down-regulated in CD8+ T effector memory and terminal effector cells. Successful immunosuppressive therapy was associated with restoration to normal expression levels of miR-126-3p, miR-145-5p, and miR-223-3p (>2-fold change, P<0.05). In CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in aplastic anemia patients, MYC and PIK3R2 were up-regulated and proved to be targets of miR-145-5p and miR-126-3p, respectively. MiR-126-3p and miR-145-5p knockdown promoted proliferation and increased interferon-γ and granzyme B production in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Our work describes previously unknown regulatory roles of microRNA in T-cell activation in aplastic anemia, which may open a new perspective for development of effective therapy. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT 01623167
The role of customer participation for enhancing repurchase intention

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of customer participation in the service delivery process by designing and testing an empirical model with the customers’ point of view in mind. Design/methodology/approach Data are collected from 176 customers in the context of professional financial insurance services. The proposed model is analyzed with partial least squares (PLS) path modeling in SmartPLS 2.0 software. Findings The results of the study show that customer participation produces positive effects on customer satisfaction and affective commitment through the customer relational value. Affective commitment is a strong predictor of repurchase intention, but no relationship between customer satisfaction and repurchase intention was found. Practical implications This study suggests that customer participation can be a win-win situation for customers and the service firm. Customers who create relational value with their service providers effectively enjoy their services more and are more likely to build and maintain long-term relationships with their service firm. Originality/value The findings highlight the roles of the customer and indicate the heuristic value of viewing customer satisfaction and affective commitment as consequences of customer participation. By identifying the effects of customer participation in the service interaction, organizations can determine optimum roles for customers in the service delivery process that will yield a more efficient use of organization resources and improve operational performance.
Phosphorylation of Crm1 by CDK1–cyclin-B promotes Ran-dependent mitotic spindle assembly

Summary Mitotic spindle assembly in animal cells is orchestrated by a chromosome-dependent pathway that directs microtubule stabilization. RanGTP generated at chromosomes releases spindle assembly factors from inhibitory complexes with importins, the nuclear transport factors that facilitate protein import into the nucleus during interphase. In addition, the nuclear export factor Crm1 has been proposed to act as a mitotic effector of RanGTP through the localized assembly of protein complexes on the mitotic spindle, notably at centrosomes and kinetochores. It has been unclear, however, how the functions of nuclear transport factors are controlled during mitosis. Here, we report that human Crm1 is phosphorylated at serine 391 in mitosis by CDK1–cyclin-B (i.e. the CDK1 and cyclin B complex). Expression of Crm1 with serine 391 mutated to either non-phosphorylated or phosphorylation-mimicking residues indicates that phosphorylation directs the localization of Crm1 to the mitotic spindle and facilitates spindle assembly, microtubule stabilization and chromosome alignment. We find that phosphorylation of Crm1 at serine 391 enhances its RanGTP-dependent interaction with RanGAP1–RanBP2 and promotes their recruitment to the mitotic spindle. These results show that phosphorylation of Crm1 controls its molecular interactions, localization and function during mitosis, uncovering a new mechanism for the control of mitotic spindle assembly by CDK1–cyclin-B. We propose that nuclear transport factors are controlled during mitosis through the selection of specific molecular interactions by protein phosphorylation.
Large mutational target size for rapid emergence of bacterial persistence

Phenotypic heterogeneity displayed by a clonal bacterial population permits a small fraction of cells to survive prolonged exposure to antibiotics. Although first described over 60 y ago, the molecular mechanisms underlying this behavior, termed persistence, remain largely unknown. To systematically explore the genetic basis of persistence, we selected a library of transposon-mutagenized Escherichia coli cells for survival to multiple rounds of lethal ampicillin exposure. Application of microarray-based genetic footprinting revealed a large number of loci that drastically elevate persistence frequency through null mutations and domain disruptions. In one case, the C-terminal disruption of methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetG) results in a 10,000-fold higher persistence frequency than wild type. We discovered a mechanism by which null mutations in transketolase A (tktA) and glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) dehydrogenase (glpD) increase persistence through metabolic flux alterations that increase intracellular levels of the growth-inhibitory metabolite methylglyoxal. Systematic double-mutant analyses revealed the genetic network context in which such persistent mutants function. Our findings reveal a large mutational target size for increasing persistence frequency, which has fundamental implications for the emergence of antibiotic tolerance in the clinical setting.
Social network perspective on alcohol consumption among African American women: a longitudinal analysis

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the study was to examine alcohol use in African American women’s social networks. Design: This was a longitudinal study of African American women and their social networks in Baltimore, MD. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews at a community-based research clinic. Alcohol consumption frequency was assessed by a single question ‘How often do you drink alcohol? ’ with a four-point ordinal rating scale ‘never,’ ‘monthly or less,’ ‘2–4 times a month’ and ‘>2 times a week. ’ A longitudinal ordinal logistic model was conducted to use 317 African American women’s alcohol consumption frequency as a predictor of their social networks’ alcohol consumption frequency. Results: Results show that African American women’s alcohol consumption frequency was a statistically significant predictor of their social network members’ alcohol consumption frequency. Conclusion: Findings suggest the merit of social network-based approaches to address alcohol use among urban minority populations.