Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rectal Potential Difference and the Functional Expression of CFTR in the Gastrointestinal Epithelia in Cystic Fibrosis Mouse Models

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease that results from mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The effect of interventions aimed at correcting the CF electrophysiologic phenotype has been primarily measured using in vitro methods in gastrointestinal and respiratory epithelia. A reliable in vivo assay of CFTR function would be of great value in the investigation of pharmacologic interventions for CF mouse models. We performed the in vivo rectal potential difference (RPD) assay on three different mouse models. We then compared the in vivo data with the results obtained using the in vitro Ussing chamber method. The results from the in vitro method correlated closely with the results acquired using the in vivo method and were reproducible. The data suggest that the in vivo RPD assay is a reliable assay of functional CFTR expression in CF mouse models.
Mutants of the RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) lacking double-stranded RNA binding domain I can act as transdominant inhibitors and induce malignant transformation

Recently we reported that introduction of catalytically inactive PKR molecules into NIH 3T3 cells causes malignant transformation and the development of tumors in nude mice. We have proposed that PKR may be a tumor suppressor gene possibly because of its translational inhibitory properties. We have now designed and characterized a number of PKR mutants encoding proteins that retain their catalytic competence but are mutated in their regulatory double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding domains (RBDs). RNA binding analysis revealed that PKR proteins either lacking or with point mutations in the first RBD (RBD-1) bound negligible amounts of dsRNA activator or adenovirus VAI RNA inhibitor. Despite the lack of binding, such variants remained functionally competent but were much less active than wild-type PKR. PKR variants completely lacking RBD-1 were largely unresponsive to dsRNA in activation assays but could be activated by heparin. To complement these studies, we evaluated the effects of point mutations in RBD-1 or the removal of either RBD-1 or RBD-2 on the proliferation rate of mouse 3T3 cells. We were unsuccessful at isolating stably transformed cells expressing RBD-1 point mutants or RBD-2-minus mutants. In contrast, NIH 3T3 cells, which constitutively expressed PKR proteins that lacked RBD-1, were selected. These cells displayed a transformed phenotype and caused tumors after inoculation in nude mice. Further, levels of endogenous eIF-2 alpha phosphorylation in RBD-1-minus cell lines were reduced, suggesting that such mutants act in a dominant negative manner to inhibit the function of endogenous PKR. These results emphasize the importance of RBD-1 in PKR control of cell growth and provide additional evidence for the critical role played by PKR in the regulation of malignant transformation.
The Inconsistency of Common Scale Estimators When Output Prices are Unobserved and Engogenous

This paper explores the inconsistency of common scale estimators when output is proxied by deflated sales, based on a common output deflator across firms. The problems arise when firms operate in an imperfectly competitive environment and prices differ between firms. In particular, we show that the scale estimates will tend to be downward biased in the production function case, under a wide range of assumptions about the pattern of technology, demand and factor price shocks. The result also holds for scale estimates obtained from cost functions. The empirical part of the paper presents various estimates of scale economies for a sample of Norwegian manufacturing plants. The findings provide some support for the hypothesis that the firms face an imperfectly competitive environment. The estimates suggests that there are significant markups and scale economies to the variable factors of production in our sample. However, the estimates of markups and scale economies presented in this paper are substantially lower than the results obtained by Hall (1988, 1990) and others using industry level data.
Distribution and complementarity of hydropathy in mutisunit proteins

A survey of 40 multisubunit proteins and 2 protein–protein complexes was performed to assay quantitatively the distribution of hydropathy among the exterior surface, interior, contact surface, and noncontact exterior surface of the isolated subunits. We suggest a useful way to present this distribution by using a “hydropathy level diagram. ” Additionally, we have devised a function called “hydropathy complementarity” to quantitate the degree to which interacting surfaces have matching hydropathy distributions. Our survey revealed the following patters: (1) The difference in hydropathy between the interior and exterior of subunits is a fairly invariant quantity. (2) On average, the hydropathy of the contact surface is higher than that of the exterior surface, but is not greater than that of the protein as a whole. There was variation, however, among the proteins. In some instances, the contact surface was more hydrophilic than the noncontact exterior, and in a few cases the contact surface was as hydrophobic as the protein interior. (3) The average interface manifests significant hydropathy complementarity, signifying that proteins interact by placing hydrophobic centers of one surface against hydrophobic centers of the other surface, and by similarly matching hydrophilic centers. As a measure of recognition and specificity, hydropathy complementarity could be a useful tool for predicting correct docking of interacting proteins. We suggest that high hydropathy complementarity is associated with static inflexible interactions. (4) We have found that some subunits that bind predominantly through hydrophilic forces, such as hydrogen bonds, ionic pairs, and water and metal bridges, are involved in dynamic quaternary organization and allostery.
Automatic detection and severity measurement of eczema using image processing

Chronic skin diseases like eczema may lead to severe health and financial consequences for patients if not detected and controlled early. Early measurement of disease severity, combined with a recommendation for skin protection and use of appropriate medication can prevent the disease from worsening. Current diagnosis can be costly and time-consuming. In this paper, an automatic eczema detection and severity measurement model are presented using modern image processing and computer algorithm. The system can successfully detect regions of eczema and classify the identified region as mild or severe based on image color and texture feature. Then the model automatically measures skin parameters used in the most common assessment tool called “Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI),” by computing eczema affected area score, eczema intensity score, and body region score of eczema allowing both patients and physicians to accurately assess the affected skin.
Differential N-Glycan Patterns of Secreted and Intracellular IgG Produced in Trichoplusia ni Cells*

Structures of the N-linked oligosaccharide attached to the heavy chain of a heterologous murine IgG2a produced from Trichoplusia ni (TN-5B1-4, High Five) insect cells were characterized. Coexpression of the chaperone immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein (BiP) in the baculovirus-infected insect cells increased the soluble intracellular and secreted IgG level. This facilitated the detailed analysis of N-glycans from both intracellular and secreted IgG. Following purification of the immunoglobulins using Protein A-Sepharose, glycopeptides, prepared by trypsin-chymotrypsin digestion, were further digested with glycoamidase from sweet almond emulsin to obtain the oligosaccharide moieties. The resulting oligosaccharides were then reductively aminated with 2-aminopyridine and the structures identified by two-dimensional high performance liquid chromatography mapping (Tomiya, N., Awaya, J., Kurono, M., Endo, S., Arata, Y., and Takahashi, N. (1988) Anal. Biochem 171, 73-90). The N-glycans obtained from the secreted IgG contain 35% complex type, some with terminal galactose residues at either α1,3-Man or α1,6-Man branches of the Man3GlcNAc2 core. The remaining oligosaccharides detected in the secreted IgG were principally hybrid (30%) and paucimannosidic (35%) type N-glycans. Most (84%) of these secreted glycoforms contained fucose α1,6-linked to the innermost GlcNAc residue and the presence of a potentially allergenic fucose α1,3-linked to the innermost GlcNAc residue was also detected. In contrast, the intracellular immunoglobulins included 50% high mannose-type N-glycans with lower levels of complex, hybrid, and paucimannosidic-type structures. Reverse phase one-dimensional high performance liquid chromatography analysis of the IgG N-glycans in the absence of heterologous BiP exhibited a similar distribution of intracellular and secreted glycoforms. These studies indicate that Trichoplusia ni TN-5B1-4 cells are capable of terminal galactosylation. However, the processing pathways in these cell lines appear to diverge from mammalian cells in the formation of paucimannosidic structures, in the presence of α1,3-fucose linkages, and in the absence of sialylation.
E-GOVERNMENT AND E-GOVERNANCE: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

E-government refers to the government uses information technology and particularly the Internet to support government operations, engage citizens and provide government services. It is the one stop internet gateway to major government services. It facilitates provision of relevant government information in electronic form to the citizen. E-government provides better service delivery to citizen’s and empowerment of the people through access to information without the bureaucracy. E-governance is the process of using information and communication technologies at various levels of the government and the public sector and beyond. The managers and supervisors utilize IT and Internet to execute their functions of supervising, planning, coordinating and staffing effectively. E-governance is a broader concept and includes the use of ICT by government and civil Society to promote greater participation of citizens in the governance of political institutions.
Multinational Britain: Employment and Work In an Internationalised Economy

Paul Marginson, who is a Senior Lecturer in Industrial Relations at the University of Warwick, draws on the second Company Level Industrial Relations Survey to provide new data on, and an assessment of, the role of Britain in a global economy increasingly shaped by the corporate decisions of multinational companies. He emphasises the multinational character of Britain's economy as compared with those of other large industrialised countries; considers the contrasting implications of the activities of multinational companies for employment practice; and explores the factors underlying the considerable variation evident in the actual practice of multinational companies.
Experimental investigations into a hybrid control algorithm for DC-DC buck converters

An experimental investigation into a hybrid backstepping control proposed for the output voltage regulation of DC-DC buck converter is carried out in this paper. The proposed hybrid control algorithm utilizes a backstepping procedure in conjunction with a robust sliding mode control mechanism to counter both matched and mismatched uncertainties. An experimental prototype of buck converter is fabricated and controlled with the hybrid control scheme in the laboratory. The dynamic response under wide variation of operating points is investigated. The control scheme is further extended to a discontinuous conduction mode buck converter which is even more nonlinear in nature. A DSP based DS1103 platform is used to conduct experimentation. Experimental results demonstrate a satisfactory transient and steady state performance of both output voltage and inductor current.
Price and Advertising Signals of Product Quality

We present a signaling model, based on ideas of Phillip Nelson, in which both the introductory price and the level of directly "uninformative" advertising or other dissipative marketing expenditures are choice variables and may be used as signals for the initially unobservable quality of a newly introduced experience good. Repeat purchases play a crucial role in our model. A second focus of the paper is on illustrating an approach to refining the set of equilibria in signalling games with multiple potential signals.
Coincident and Forecast Relevance of Accounting Numbers

Purpose - – Value relevance studies, in particular international comparative studies, use market values sampled at different dates relative to the fiscal year-end. This paper aims to contribute a theoretical and empirical analysis of the relationship between value relevance and the month of market value sampling. Design/methodology/approach - – The paper examines two components of value relevance, coincident relevance and forecast relevance, which the paper develops on the basis of the Ohlson model. The paper measures value relevance by estimating separate panel-data regressions for each of the 12 months around fiscal year-end. The sample consists of companies listed in two continental European countries, France and Germany, over the 1989-2008 period. Findings - – In both country panels, the paper finds that overall value relevance is higher when market value is sampled before or close to fiscal year-end, but incremental value relevance varies between domestic and International Financial Reporting (IFRS) accounting standards. Regression results reveal significant variations in coefficients over the following months of market value in French panel and its IFRS sub-sample only. Research limitations/implications - – The scope of the study is limited to the average value relevance parameters of companies listed on stock exchanges in France and Germany. Future research may be devoted to other countries and study additional determinants of value relevance. Practical implications - – The study shows that the selection of the month of market value sampling can have significant impact on value relevance regression results. Therefore, sensitivity analysis needs to be included in research studies which rely on the value relevance approach. Originality/value - – The paper contributes the first systematic analysis of the variation in value relevance parameters in response to the selection of the month in which market value is sampled.
Marek's Disease Virus Type 2 (MDV-2)-Encoded MicroRNAs Show No Sequence Conservation with Those Encoded by MDV-1

ABSTRACT MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly being recognized as major regulators of gene expression in many organisms, including viruses. Among viruses, members of the family Herpesviridae account for the majority of the currently known virus-encoded miRNAs. The highly oncogenic Marek's disease virus type 1 (MDV-1), an avian herpesvirus, has recently been shown to encode eight miRNAs clustered in the MEQ and LAT regions of the viral genome. The genus Mardivirus, to which MDV-1 belongs, also includes the nononcogenic but antigenically related MDV-2. As MDV-1 and MDV-2 are evolutionarily very close, we sought to determine if MDV-2 also encodes miRNAs. For this, we cloned, sequenced, and analyzed a library of small RNAs from the lymphoblastoid cell line MSB-1, previously shown to be coinfected with both MDV-1 and MDV-2. Among the 5,099 small RNA sequences determined from the library, we identified 17 novel MDV-2-specific miRNAs. Out of these, 16 were clustered in a 4.2-kb long repeat region that encodes R-LORF2 to R-LORF5. The single miRNA outside the cluster was located in the short repeat region, within the C-terminal region of the ICP4 homolog. The expression of these miRNAs in MSB-1 cells and infected chicken embryo fibroblasts was further confirmed by Northern blotting analysis. The identification of miRNA clusters within the repeat regions of MDV-2 demonstrates conservation of the relative genomic positions of miRNA clusters in MDV-1 and MDV-2, despite the lack of sequence homology among the miRNAs of the two viruses. The identification of these novel miRNAs adds to the growing list of virus-encoded miRNAs.
Does Government Expenditure Play an Efficient Role on Economic Growth? Evidence from Some OPEC Members

In this study we calculate the efficiency rate of government expenditure on increasing economic growth for some OPEC members in a Barro framework during the period of 1995 to 2005. "Firstly, data envelopment analysis (DEA) method helps us to develop a neutral evaluation, an unbiased priori by any type of criteria, regarding proportions in which the goal of productive spending is persuaded, for any expenditure. In order to determine how much the effective amounts of government expenditure plays role on increasing economic growth, Adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is applied to estimate economic growth using input data taken at frontier" (Ventelou and Bry, 2006; Amiri and Ventelou, 2011). At the end of the DEA-ANFIS chain, examining the power of prediction is positive: grid partition method has lower validation error compared with the best result of subtractive clustering and both methods perform the same in training. This result confirms that the effec- tive government expenditure plays a high role on economic growth of OPEC members.
A Fixed-Rate Mortgage Valuation Model in Three State Variables

This article investigates the effect of a two-factor interest rate process on the value of the mortgage and its inherent options including the right to default. Our complete three-state model for a mortgage derivative asset is used to make comparisons with the standard two-state model with the option to default or prepay. With slight modification, this model is applicable to other types of mortgages and mortgage-backed securities, and to derivative securities in general. The authors demonstrate that a two-state model with a one-factor term structure and a three-state model with a two-factor term structure value a mortgage substantially differently. The results suggest that valuing defaultable mortgages requires a three-state option pricing model to avoid mispricing.
'Overshoot' of ethanol in the blood after drinking on an empty stomach.

The time required for ethanol to distribute between the systemic circulation and the rest of the body water results in an 'overshoot' of the blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) during the first 30 min after intravenous infusion. To investigate whether a similar distribution phenomenon occurs when ethanol is given by the oral route, we compared BACs after intravenous infusion and oral intake under strictly controlled conditions by giving a 0.4 g/kg dose of ethanol over 15 min to six fasting female volunteers. The results show an 'overshoot' in three volunteers who had the shortest time to BACmax, which indicates rapid absorption, and the time-course was similar to the distribution phase seen during the intravenous experiments. We conclude that BAC is sometimes higher than expected shortly after alcohol has been ingested rapidly. This finding can probably be explained by the fact that ethanol is distributed more slowly throughout the total body water than it is absorbed from the gut.
Female Entrepreneurs in a Transitional Economy: Businesswomen in Nigeria

This paper highlights the position and role of female entrepreneurs in the economic development of Nigeria, In the past, the significant contribution of women in sustaining socio‐economic wellbeing of their families has been neglected and taken for granted by the society as a whole. This has resulted not only in gross underestimation of women's socio‐economic contribution to the economy, but also in the under‐utilisation of women's tremendous socio‐economic potentials in the Nigerian business environment. The aim of this research is to examine these and other related questions using literature search, questionnaire survey and structured interviews with businesswomen in Nigeria. The research result has indicated that the greatest challenge for Nigerian women in business is being taken seriously by their male counterparts, as well as in society as a whole. The greatest reward of business ownership for women is in gaining control over their own working lives.
Asymmetric Decoy Effects on Lower-Quality versus Higher-Quality Brands: Meta-analytic and Experimental Evidence

Prior research demonstrates that adding decoys to choice sets can increase choice shares of brands similar to decoys while reducing shares of brands dissimilar to decoys. Such effects have been dubbed attraction effects and violate the principles of independence of irrelevant alternatives (IIA) and regularity. We report a metaanalysis that, in addition to revealing heretofore unsupported range effects, demonstrates an effect of brand quality Decoys reduce shares of lower-quality competitors more than they reduce shares of higher-quality competitors. Moreover, whereas IIA is violated throughout, regularity is violated only when higher-quality brands are targeted. Decoys increase shares of higher-quality brands but typically do not increase shares of lower-quality brands. To assess the generalizability of the meta-analytic pattern, we tested decoy effects on two distinct populations in a large experiment The more traditional population replicated the meta-analytic pattern (standard asymmetry) while the more nontraditional population reversed it. These findings suggest that while the standard asymmetry is replicable, it may not generalize to all market segments.
Sulfur Doping Induces Strong Ferromagnetic Ordering in Graphene: Effect of Concentration and Substitution Mechanism

Imprinting ferromagnetism to a graphene structure by substitution of carbon atoms with sulfur is reported. S-doped graphene (4.2 at%) shows strong ferromagnetic properties with saturation magnetization exceeding 5.5 emu g(-1) at 2 K, which is among the highest values reported for any sp-based system. The remarkable magnetic response is attributed to delocalization of electrons from sulfur injected into the graphene conduction band.
RNA recognition by the joint action of two nucleolin RNA‐binding domains: genetic analysis and structural modeling

The interaction of nucleolin with a short stem‐loop structure (NRE) requires two contiguous RNA‐binding domains (RBD 1+2). The structural basis for RNA recognition by these RBDs was studied using a genetic system in Escherichia coli. Within each of the two domains, we identified several mutations that severely impair interaction with the RNA target. Mutations that alter RNA‐binding specificity were also isolated, suggesting the identity of specific contacts between RBD 1+2 amino acids and nucleotides within the NRE stem‐loop. Our data indicate that both RBDs participate in a joint interaction with the NRE and that each domain uses a different surface to contact the RNA. The constraints provided by these genetic data and previous mutational studies have enabled us to propose a three‐dimensional model of nucleolin RBD 1+2 bound to the NRE stem‐loop.