Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Packaging HIV- or FIV-based lentivector expression constructs and transduction of VSV-G pseudotyped viral particles.

As with standard plasmid vectors, it is possible to transfect lentivectors in plasmid form into cells with low-to-medium efficiency to obtain transient expression of effectors. Packaging lentiviral expression constructs into pseudoviral particles, however, enables up to 100% transduction, even with difficult-to-transfect cells, such as primary, stem, and differentiated cells. Moreover, the lentiviral delivery does not produce the specific cellular responses typically associated with chemical transfections, such as cell death resulting from toxicity of the transfection reagent. When transduced into target cells, the lentiviral construct integrates into genomic DNA and provides stable expression of the small hairpin RNA (shRNA), cDNA, microRNA or reporter gene. Target cells stably expressing the effector molecule can be isolated using a selectable marker contained in the expression vector construct such as puromycin or GFP. After pseudoviral particles infect target cells, they cannot replicate within target cells because the viral structural genes are absent and the long terminal repeats (LTRs) are designed to be self-inactivating upon transduction. There are three main components necessary for efficient lentiviral packaging. 1. The lentiviral expression vector that contains some of the genetic elements required for packaging, stable integration of the viral expression construct into genomic DNA, and expression of the effector or reporter. 2. The lentiviral packaging plasmids that provide the proteins essential for transcription and packaging of an RNA copy of the expression construct into recombinant pseudoviral particles. This protocol uses the pPACK plasmids (SBI) that encode for gag, pol, and rev from the HIV or FIV genome and Vesicular Stomatitis Virus g protein (VSV-G) for the viral coat protein. 3. 293TN producer cells (derived from HEK293 cells) that express the SV40 large T antigen, which is required for high-titer lentiviral production and a neomycin resistance gene, useful for reselecting the cells for maintenance. An overview of the viral production protocol can be seen in Figure 1. Viral production starts by co-transfecting 293TN producer cells with the lentiviral expression vector and the packaging plasmids. Viral particles are secreted into the media. After 48-72 hours the cell culture media is harvested. Cellular debris is removed from the cell culture media, and the viral particles are precipitated by centrifugation with PEG-it for concentration. Produced lentiviral particles are then titered and can be used to transduce target cells. Details of viral titering are not included in this protocol, but can be found at: http://www.systembio. com/downloads/global_titer_kit_web_090710. pdf. This protocol has been optimized using the specific products indicated. Other reagents may be substituted, but the same results cannot be guaranteed.
Impact of BIMSTEC trade agreement on strengthening export performance of Indian firms: an empirical assessment

Regional trade and economic integration has affected the firm level decision making in assessing the destination for investment. In this paper, the focus is to assess the probable impacts of the BIMSTEC on the export performance of Indian firms. While doing so, it has been explored that a lot of other factors also facilitate the exports which are also being considered. The paper considers the study of those Indian firms who exports in the member economies of the BIMSTEC. The study evaluates such major macro parameters firms consider crucial while improving their exports. The empirical study carried out for the Indian firms provide interesting insights and relates to designing successful marketing strategies for improving the export performance of Indian firms expanding their markets in the region.
Spatially adaptive image denoising using inter-scale dependence in directionlet domain

The performance of image processing algorithms can be significantly improved by the application of multi-resolution image representation with directional features. Directionlet transform (DT) is one such representation which has gained popularity over the past few years as an anisotropic, perfect reconstruction and critically sampled basis function with directional vanishing moments along any two directions. In this study, the authors propose a spatially adaptive image denoising scheme for Gaussian noise based on DT by considering the dependences of the directionlet coefficients across different scales. The image is first decomposed using DT and the coefficients so obtained are modelled using a bivariate heavy tailed `pdf' with a local variance parameter to account for inter- and intra-scale dependencies of the coefficients. The DT is made adaptive to the local dominant directions in the image by identifying the dominant directions in the spatially segmented image through the computation of a parameter called `directional variance'. Bayesian `maximum a posteriori' estimator is then used to compute the noise free coefficients from the bivariate models of the signal and noise. The denoised image is obtained from the transform coefficients, which were modified using the bivariate shrinkage function, using directional information and inverse DT. Experimental results show that the bivariate shrinkage in directionlet domain achieves better performance than that in wavelet domain, in terms of numerical and perceptual quality.
Estimating the Inequality of Household Incomes: A Statistical Approach to the Creation of a Dense and Consistent Global Data Set

The deficiencies of the Deininger and Squire data set on household income inequality are well known to include sparse coverage, problematic measurements, and the combination of diverse data types into a single data set. Yet many studies have relied on this data due to the lack of available alternatives. In this paper we show how the UTIP-UNIDO measures of manufacturing pay inequality can be used, with other information, to estimate measures of household income inequality. We take advantage of the systematic relationship between the UTIP-UNIDO estimates and those of Deininger and Squire. The residuals from this exercise provide a map to problematic observations in the Deininger and Squire data, and the estimated coefficients provide a way to construct a new panel data set of estimated household income inequality. This new data set provides comparable and consistent measurements across space and through time.
Rational behavior in the presence of coverage ceilings and deductibles

Consumers of health care services with insurance plan features such as deductibles, copayments, and coverage ceilings, in which the price of health care depends upon expenditures accumulated during a single year, should rationally anticipate the impact of current consumption decisions on the price of health care later in the year. We show that in the absence of wealth effects and risk aversion, a utility-maximizing consumer should base current consumption decisions on the expected end-of-year price of health care. In a specific model with risk aversion and lumpy consumption decisions we show that the expected end-of-year price remains close to the true shadow price of health care for plausible insurance plan and demand parameters. We use this result in an econometric model of the demand for ambulatory mental health services.
E-HRM in MNCs: what can be learned from a review of the IS literature?

The current status of E-­HRM research is assessed from an IS perspective, as this is where the field of E-­HRM (partly) originated. In contrast to most E-­HRM research, which is founded in HR or Business Research, this paper presents a new scope to study E-­HRM. This new scope can be used to complement existing research and offer additional understanding of the field of E-­HRM. Based on a literature review on IS in MNCs, this paper presents a framework that represents the existing body of literature on E-­HRM in MNCs. The paper demonstrates that general IS literature can be considered a valuable addition to E-­HRM literature. The importance for more E-­HRM research in earlier stages of the E-­HRM lifecycle, i.e. pre-­implementation and implementation, is supported by the findings. In addition, a comparison between ‘Top Journals’ and ‘Other Journals was made, which reveals that ‘Top Journals’ tend to keep an organizational focus, while ‘Other Journals’ take on a more individual focus.
The portable guarantee to exchange back an old defined benefit for a new defined contribution (DC) pension plan

As a defined contribution (DC) pension plan is introduced to replace a defined benefit (DB) pension plan, the portability benefit from a DC pension plan costs the employees to bear the investment risk from managing the pension fund. To protect the retirement income and maintain the portability benefit, a guarantee to exchange back the old defined benefit is supposed to be demanded for the new DC plan's participants in the guarantee market. In light of such a demand, this article applies a claim-terminating insurance pricing model to offer a contingent claims pricing model for a portable pension guarantee. Using the new labor pension plan of Taiwan as an illustration, a guaranteed DC pension will carry an extra cost of almost 50% up to over 100% of the plan's contributions over the participant's work life, given the current mandatory minimum requirement of a contribution rate of 6%.
The Effect of Nesting Structure Specification on Welfare Estimation in a Random Utility Model of Recreation Demand: An Application to the Demand for Recreational Fishing

Nested logit has become common in estimating random utility models of recreation demand. Because welfare analysis is often the objective of estimating these models, it seems natural to ask, what effect does the choice of nesting structure have on the welfare estimates generated by these models? Therefore, we compare the results of nine nesting structures andfindthat the variation in welfare estimates across the models is not large. Our results are contrary to those of Kling and Thomson and Shaw and Ozog. The difference appears to originate with differences in the estimated dissimilarity coefficients in the nested models. Copyright 2000, Oxford University Press.
The determinants of web-based investor relations activities by companies operating in emerging economies : the case of Jordan

Using a multi-theoretical approach, this study seeks to examine the determinants of corporate web-based investor relations (IR) activities for companies listed on Amman Stock Exchange. Jordan provides an interesting context to pursue the objectives of this study because it provides insights into how listed companies are voluntarily responding to recent government and financial market regulators’ initiatives to encourage the use of the internet and to keep financial market participants informed about corporate activities. A survey analysis is conducted to examine online reporting practices of Jordanian listed companies. The explanatory analysis relies on logistic, ranked and normal scores ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analyses and identifies ten explanatory variables that may affect the existence and level of web-based IR disclosure; company size, profitability, government ownership, institutional ownership, number of shareholders, growth prospects, age, industry type, auditor type, and equity need. Results reveal that the existence of web sites is positively related to company size and industry (Financials) while the extent of webbased IR disclosure is significantly positively related to size, governmental ownership, institutional ownership, number of shareholders, and industrial type (Financials); however, it is negatively related to company age.
Treatment of prolactinomas with megavoltage radiotherapy.

duodenal ulcer was made, and resuscitation commenced with plasma expanders and blood. In spite of considerable transfusion her condition did not improve, and she was referred for surgical assessment. Rectal examination was then performed, which showed a tender mass in the pelvis. Despite her normal menstrual history the new diagnosis was ectopic pregnancy that had precipitated stress gastritis leading to haematemesis. At laparotomy there was a large haemoperitoneum and a ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy. There was no evidence of peptic ulceration. A salpingectomy was performed, and the patient made an excellent recovery with no further episodes of haematemesis.
Linkages Between Employment Patterns and Depression Over Time: The Case of Low-Income Rural Mothers

Mental health and poverty have been linked. How one feels about one’s financial situation may influence one’s mental health. We examine rural, low-income mothers’ employment patterns to seek to determine if depression and perception of changes in financial situation are related. Those who perceive that their financial situation is getting worse reported more symptoms of depression. Those who were consistently unemployed over three years also had more symptoms of depression.
Glutamine attenuates lung injury and improves survival after sepsis: Role of enhanced heat shock protein expression*

Objective:Heat shock protein (HSP) expression is vital to cellular and tissue protection after stress or injury. However, application of this powerful tool in human disease has been limited, as known enhancers of HSPs are toxic and not clinically relevant. Glutamine (GLN) can enhance HSP expression in non–clinically relevant animal injury models. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of GLN to enhance pulmonary HSP expression, attenuate lung injury, and improve survival after sepsis in the rat. Design:Prospective, randomized, controlled animal trial. Setting:University research laboratory. Subjects:Male Sprague-Dawley rats. Interventions:We utilized a rat model of cecal ligation and puncture to induce sepsis. GLN or saline was administered 1 hr after initiation of sepsis via single tail-vein injection. We analyzed heat shock factor-1 phosphorylation, HSP-70, and HSP-25 via Western blot. Tissue metabolism was assayed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Occurrence of lung injury was determined via histopathologic examination. An inhibitor of HSP expression, quercetin, was utilized to assess role of HSP expression in prevention of sepsis-related mortality. Measurements and Main Results:GLN, given after initiation of sepsis, enhanced pulmonary heat shock factor-1 phosphorylation, HSP-70, HSP-25, and attenuated lung injury after sepsis. Further, GLN improved indices of lung tissue metabolic function (adenosine 5-triphosphate/adenosine 5-diphosphate ratio, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) after sepsis. No significant effect of GLN on lung tissue-reduced glutathione was observed. GLN treatment led to a significant decrease in mortality (33% [6 of 18] GLN-treated rats vs. 78% [14 of 17] saline-treated rats). Administration of the HSP inhibitor quercetin blocked GLN-mediated enhancement of HSP expression and abrogated GLN’s survival benefit. Conclusions:GLN has been safely administered to critically ill patients and shown to improve outcome without clear understanding of the protective mechanism. Our results indicate GLN may prevent the occurrence of lung injury, lung tissue metabolic dysfunction, and mortality after sepsis via enhancement of deficient lung heat shock factor-1 phosphorylation/activation and HSP expression.
Focus on health information technology, electronic health records and their financial impact: Prescribers' expectations and barriers to electronic prescribing of controlled substances

OBJECTIVE To better understand barriers associated with the adoption and use of electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS), a practice recently established by US Drug Enforcement Administration regulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Prescribers of controlled substances affiliated with a regional health system were surveyed regarding current electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) activities, current prescribing of controlled substances, and expectations and barriers to the adoption of EPCS. RESULTS 246 prescribers (response rate of 64%) represented a range of medical specialties, with 43.1% of these prescribers current users of e-prescribing for non-controlled substances. Reported issues with controlled substances included errors, pharmacy call-backs, and diversion; most prescribers expected EPCS to address many of these problems, specifically reduce medical errors, improve work flow and efficiency of practice, help identify prescription diversion or misuse, and improve patient treatment management. Prescribers expected, however, that it would be disruptive to practice, and over one-third of respondents reported that carrying a security authentication token at all times would be so burdensome as to discourage adoption. DISCUSSION Although adoption of e-prescribing has been shown to dramatically reduce medication errors, challenges to efficient processes and errors still persist from the perspective of the prescriber, that may interfere with the adoption of EPCS. Most prescribers regarded EPCS security measures as a small or moderate inconvenience (other than carrying a security token), with advantages outweighing the burden. CONCLUSION Prescribers are optimistic about the potential for EPCS to improve practice, but view certain security measures as a burden and potential barrier.
Perspectives on Nonparametric and Semiparametric Modeling

Nonparametric regression techniques hold out the promise of more flexible modeling of data in many areas of physical, biological and social sciences. However, their use is hampered by the “curse of dimensionality” which imposes enormous data requirements as the number of explanatory variables increases. After summarizing two of the most commonly used methods for mitigating the "curse”, this paper outlines a new approach which exploits data on derivatives. In economics, such circumstances arise in the joint estimation of cost and factor demand functions, or when production function data are combined with data on factor prices. The ideas are illustrated using empirical examples from energy economics.
Presenilin conditional double knockout mice exhibit decreases in drebrin a at hippocampal CA1 synapses

Presenilin conditional double knockout (PScDKO) mice have been used as animal models to study the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) phenotypes. Studies to date indicate that these animals exhibit memory dysfunction and decreased synaptic plasticity before the onset of neurodegeneration. Therefore, the current study sought to examine how the loss of presenilin expression leads to these defects. Drebrin A, a neuron‐specific actin‐binding protein, has been shown to play an important role in the activity‐dependent redistribution of the NMDA type of glutamate receptors at the synapse which, in turn, is a critical step for enabling synaptic plasticity. It is hypothesized that defects in the activity dependent redistribution of NMDA receptors in PScDKO mice may be due to loss of drebrin A. In this study, electron microscopic immunocytochemistry (EM‐ICC) was used to quantify and locate drebrin A in the CA1 field of the hippocampus of PScDKO mice. The high resolution of EM‐ICC allowed for differentiation between drebrin A at the synapse and at nonsynaptic sites, the latter of which would reflect the protein's role in regulating the reserve or degradative pool of NMDA receptors. The results here demonstrate that loss of function of presenilin in mice leads to a decrease in immunoreactivity for drebrin A at both synaptic (54% decrease, P < 0.01) and nonsynaptic areas (40% decrease, P < 0.01) and overall (44% decrease, P < 0.01). The reduction of drebrin A in both synaptic and nonsynaptic locations of the spine may implicate impairment in glutamate receptor trafficking to and from the postsynaptic plasma membrane. In addition, because of reduced drebrin A at nonsynaptic sites, the regulation of the reserve and degradative pools of glutamate receptors may also be impaired, leading to further synaptic dysfunction. Therefore, this study provides evidence to the theory that drebrin A has a causal role in compromising activity‐dependent glutamate receptor trafficking in PScDKO mice. Synapse, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DNA fingerprinting with 35S nucleotides.

Recent forensic investigations and studies of genetic relatedness in diverse organisms have employed DNA fingerprinting techniques that nearly exclusively use probes labelled with Phosphorus-32 (32p). 32p is generally preferred for this purpose because it is a strong fl-emitter that produces an intense signal after a relatively short autoradiographic exposure. This characteristic, however, is not without shortcomings. Even brief exposures to the high-energy of 32p, particularly with commonly-used intensifying screens, can cause the resulting unavoidably fuzzy bands to bleed into one another, which may obscure true band number and location. Accuracy may thus be compromised in the interest of obtaining the results quickly. In addition, incorporation of 32p causes inevitable degradation of the probe DNA due to strand scission, limiting the potential storage time for 32P-labelled probes to no more than 1 week. Use of 32P also requires more extensive and costly safety precautions, such as shielding and remote manipulation, than do radionuclides of lower energy. We investigated the potential of Sulfur-35 (35S) nucleotides to circumvent these drawbacks. As 35S is an order of magnitude less energetic than 32p (0ma of 167 keV compared to 1.7 MeV), it is relatively safer and is easier to use routinely. 35S has a half-life 6 times that of 32p (87.4 compared to 14.3 days), and it does not cause as much degradation of probe DNA. This greater stability contributes to a longer probe storage life and increased radionuclide economy, as a stock vial can be drawn from much longer.
Two dimensional hidden surface removal with frame-to-frame coherence

We describe a hidden surface removal algorithm for two-dimensional layered scenes built from arbitrary primitives, particularly suited to interaction and animation in rich scenes (for example, in illustration). The method makes use of a set-based raster representation to implement a front-to-back rendering model which analyses and dramatically reduces the amount of rasterization and composition required to render a scene. The method is extended to add frame-to-frame coherence analysis and caching for interactive or animated scenes. A powerful system of primitive-combiners called filters is described, which preserves the efficiencies of the algorithm in highly complicated scenes. The set representation is extended to solve the problem of correlated mattes, leading to an efficient solution for high quality antialiasing. A prototype implementation has been prepared.