Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis of small nuclear RNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: viable sextuple mutant

Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains at least 24 distinct small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), several of which are known to be essential for viability and to participate in the splicing of pre-mRNAs; the RNAs in this subset contain binding sites for the Sm antigen, a hallmark of metazoan snRNAs involved in mRNA processing. In contrast, we showed previously that the single-copy genes for three other snRNAs (snR3, snR4, and snR10) are not required for viability, although cells lacking snR10 are growth impaired at low temperature. None of these RNAs associates with the Sm antigen. To assess this apparent correlation, we cloned and sequenced the genes encoding three additional non-Sm snRNAs. Comparison of these genes with nine additional yeast snRNA genes revealed a highly conserved TATA box located 92 +/- 8 nucleotides 5' of the transcriptional start site. By using the technique of gene replacement with null alleles, each of these three single copy genes was shown to be completely dispensable. We constructed multiple mutants to test the hypothesis that, individually, each of these snRNAs is nonessential because the snRNAs play functionally overlapping roles. A mutant lacking five snRNAs (snR3, snR4, snR5, snR8, snR9) was indistinguishable from the wild type, and growth of the sextuple mutant was no more impaired than that in strains lacking only snR10. This widespread dispensability of snRNAs was completely unexpected and forces us to reconsider the possible roles of these ubiquitous RNAs.
Deterministic Synthesis of Uniform Amplitude Sparse Arrays via New Density Taper Techniques

Uniform amplitude sparse arrays have recently gained a renewed interest and a number of synthesis techniques, mainly based on global optimization algorithms, have been presented. In this paper, after a discussion about the expected characteristics of such arrays, a simple deterministic approach for the case of pencil beams patterns is proposed and discussed. The approach, which outperforms previous synthesis techniques, takes inspiration from existing (not well-known) density taper procedures to develop a two stages synthesis where the first step is solved in a new closed analytical form, while the second one just requires local refinements or fast 1-D optimizations. As a consequence, the proposed approach avoids the need of multidimensional global optimization procedures and the inherent possibly prohibitive computational costs. Notably the first step, which also exhibits an improved flexibility with respect to other analytical techniques, already outperforms previous approaches in a number of cases of interest. Several numerical results confirm the effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed tools.
Postgraduate scientists and R&D: the role of reputation in organisational choice

This paper reports on a series of interviews with postgraduate scientists in a number of UK universities. The interviews were designed to investigate the attitude of young scientists to employment in the pharmaceutical industry. The sample consisted of postgraduates in the biological sciences and included a broad cross-section of universities. The primary objective was to ascertain each student's ideal employer and to establish the role organisational reputation played in that choice. Students not intending to seek employment in commercial R&D were asked to explain why they had made that decision. The research established that knowledge of potential employers in the pharmaceutical industry was concentrated on two major companies, ICI and Glaxo. Students not considering the pharmaceutical industry indicated that lack of academic freedom was their major concern.
Finding Mobile Consumers with a Privacy-Friendly Geo-Similarity Network *

This paper focuses on finding the same and similar users based on location-visitation data in a mobile environment. We propose a new design that uses consumer location data from mobile devices (smart phones, smart pads, laptops, etc.) to build a “geo-similarity network” among users. The geo-similarity network (GSN) could be used for a variety of analytics-driven applications, such as targeting advertisements to the same user on different devices or to users with similar tastes, and improving online interactions by selecting users with similar tastes. The basic idea is that two devices are similar, and thereby connected in the geo-similarity network, when they share at least one visited location. They are more similar as they visit more shared locations, and as the locations they share are visited by fewer people. This paper first introduces the main ideas and ties them to theory and related work. Next we introduce a specific design for selecting entities with similar location distributions, the results of which are shown using real mobile location data across seven ad exchanges. We focus on two high-level questions: (1) does geo-similarity allow us to find different entities corresponding to the same individual, for example as seen through different bidding systems? And (2) do entities linked by similarities in local mobile behavior show similar interests, as measured by visits to particular publishers? The results show positive results for both. Specifically, for (1) even with the data sample’s limited observability, 70-80% of the time the same individual is connected to herself in the GSN. For (2), the GSN neighbors of visitors to a wide variety of publishers are substantially more likely also to visit those same publishers. Highly similar GSN neighbors show very substantial lift.
Assessing indexation-based Calvo inflation models

Using identification-robust methods, the authors estimate and evaluate for Canada and the United States various classes of inflation equations based on generalized structural Calvo-type models. The models allow for different forms of frictions and vary in their assumptions regarding the type of price indexation adopted by firms. Point and confidence-set parameter estimates are obtained based on the inversion of identification-robust test statistics. Focus is maintained on the structural aspect of the model with formal imposition of the restrictions that map the theoretical model into the econometric one. The results show that there is some statistical merit to using indexation-based Calvo-type models for inflation. However, some identification difficulties are also uncovered with considerable uncertainty associated with estimated parameter values. In particular, we find that implausibly-high frequency of price re-optimization values cannot be ruled out from our identification-robust confidence sets.
Quality‐focused performance measurement systems: a normative model

Notes the importance of strategic objectives to facilitate the development of competitive advantage in specific markets or market segments. Further notes the importance of the relationship between the firm’s strategies, organizational actions and performance for the development of quality‐focused performance measurement systems, based on results of a study of six firms identified as “world class” by academic and practitioner experts. Concludes with numerous recommendations regarding division and plant strategic quality objectives, quality‐focused performance measurement systems and quality‐focused performance measurement system linkages.
Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: diversity of resistant mechanisms and risk factors for infection

SUMMARY Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) are an increasing infectious threat in hospitals. We investigated the clinical epidemiology of CRAB infections vs. colonization in patients, and examined the mechanisms of resistance associated with elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for carbapenems. From January to June 2009, 75 CRAB strains were collected. CRAB infection was significantly associated with malignancy and a high APACHE II score. The most dominant resistance mechanism was ISAba1 preceding OXA-51, producing strains with overexpression of efflux pump. Strains carrying blaOXA-23-like enzymes had higher carbapenem MICs than those carrying blaOXA-51-like enzymes; however, the presence of multiple mechanisms did not result in increased resistance to carbapenems. There was no difference in the resistance mechanisms in strains from infected and colonized patients. The majority of strains were genetically diverse by DNA macrorestriction although there was evidence of clonal spread of four clusters of strains in patients.
EXPORTS, MARGINS AND PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH: WITH AN APPLICATION TO THE CANADIAN SOFTWOOD LUMBER INDUSTRY

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the allocative and dynamic efficiency of the Canadian softwood lumber industry by testing for the existence of price-cost margins and decomposing rates of total factor productivity (TFP) growth. A dynamic model of multiple output production and investment is developed in which output is sold domestically and exported. Price-cost margins are parametrized and estimated. The empirical results show that prices are equated to short-run marginal costs in domestic and export markets. TFP growth is decomposed into four elements; technological change, returns to sale, price-cost margins and capital adjustment. The empirical results show that, for the Canadian softwood lumber industry, TFP growth averaged 3 percent per year and the major contributing element was the rate of technological change. Copyright 1994 by MIT Press.
Combining pictorial structure and image features to estimate human pose

This paper estimates human poses in images obtained from daily life or TV. In such conditions, the background, appearance, action, location of humans change variously, therefore, it is challengeable to recognize their poses. Taking advantage of the pictorial structure which describes human as a collection of body parts, this paper turns the problem of human pose estimation to an inference problem in graphic model. Inference messages are described by the information from image and human itself, such as the appearance, segmentation cues and symmetric prior, and are passed by sum-product algorithm. Experiments are made on three public datasets, and considerable accurate results are achieved.
Inter‐corporate ownership and diversification in the Canadian economy 1976‐1995

Purpose – To test the hypothesis of increased specialisation during the 1980s in the aggregate pattern of intercorporate ownership in the Canadian economy.Design/methodology/approach – The network of ownership between enterprises and subsidiaries is characterised for the period 1976‐1995 using data for the population of medium‐sized and large Canadian corporations collected by Statistics Canada.Findings – Aggregate diversification declined slightly over the period in terms of the average number of industry groups in which enterprises have subsidiaries. However, there was an increased likelihood that subsidiaries were outside of the core industry group of the enterprise.Research limitations/implications – The data provide insight into ownership changes across the economy and are not sensitive to changes in a few very large firms. However, a weakness of these data is that the ownership linkages are not weighted to reflect the economic importance of the enterprises involved. There is evidence that the patter.
A Novel Scheme of an Unified Flux and Torque Control Method for Direct Torque Control Algorithm Based Induction Motor

This paper highlights a new approach to minimize the ripples in the induction motor drive with direct torque control (DTC). The DTC technique involves both the stator flux and electromagnetic torque error mechanism. With reference to these two the appropriate voltage vector is produced by switching table. The mechanical speed differs according to the voltage vector switching frequency. The DTC is one of the best approaches through which certain defects like, high ripple in torque, low speed operation and changes in torque command can be overcome. This project is simulated on the deadbeat control and flux control with combination of these two a new controller named unified flux and torque controller is originated. This controller has more merits compared to the conventional controller. The main advantage is the reduction of high ripples by considering the minimum-distance vector which adds a great privilege to the DTC.
Escherichia coli pfs Transcription: Regulation and Proposed Roles in Autoinducer-2 Synthesis and Purine Excretion

ABSTRACT Pfs expression is required for several metabolic pathways and limits the production of autoinducer-2, a molecule proposed to play a central role in interspecies quorum sensing. The present study reveals physiological conditions and promoter DNA elements that regulate Escherichia coli pfs transcription. Pfs transcription is shown to rely on both sigma 70 and sigma 38 (rpoS), and the latter is subject to induction that increases pfs expression. Transcription is maximal as the cells approach stationary phase, and this level can be increased by salt stress through induction of sigma 38-dependent expression. The pfs promoter is shown to contain both positive and negative elements, which can be used by both forms of RNA polymerase. The negative element is contained within the overlapping dgt promoter, which is involved in purine metabolism. Consideration of the physiological roles of sigma 38 and dgt leads to a model for how autoinducer production is controlled under changing physiological conditions.
Securities Class Actions in the US Banking Sector: Between Investor Protection and Bank Stability

This paper investigates whether securities class actions (SCAs) can play a role in banking supervision, both as a warning signal of insolvency and as an instrument of market discipline to encourage bank managers to carefully evaluate risk. Two groups of US banks are compared over the 2000â2008 period. One includes banks that have faced at least one SCA, while the other is composed of non-targeted banks (control group). Results indicate that collective private litigation procedures are more frequently directed at financially fragile intermediaries exhibiting inadequate governance standards. Furthermore, banks which have been subjected to SCAs are likely to reduce their excessive risk positions. This supports the idea that SCAs could be efficiently employed as a complement to public supervisory activity in the banking sector.
Acute chemotherapy-induced cardiovascular changes in patients with testicular cancer.

PURPOSE After cisplatin- and bleomycin-containing chemotherapy for testicular cancer, part of the patient population will develop acute or long-term cardiovascular toxicity. It is largely unknown whether standard tests can be used to assess chemotherapy-induced cardiovascular changes. PATIENTS AND METHODS In 65 testicular cancer patients (median age, 27 years; range, 18 to 48 years), we measured the following cardiovascular parameters before and within 10 weeks after completion of cisplatin-based chemotherapy: platelet numbers, plasma levels of hemostatic and fibrinolytic factors, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, baroreflex sensitivity, intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery, and flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery. RESULTS Compared with prechemotherapy values, the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery and plasma von Willebrand factor levels increased significantly after treatment. Platelet numbers and plasma levels of other hemostatic and fibrinolytic factors did not appear to change significantly. Blood pressure decreased significantly, but flow-mediated vasodilation and baroreflex sensitivity did not change. CONCLUSION In testicular cancer patients treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, we found an increase in plasma von Willebrand factor levels and in the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery. These changes may indicate chemotherapy-induced vascular damage and be of prognostic significance for the development of cardiovascular complications in the long term.
The Prevalence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among Primary School Pupils of Benin Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract This study investigated the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among pupils in primary schools in Benin City, Edo State through a teacher questionnaire. Three selected public schools were drawn purposively from schools in Benin City, Edo State. The pupils were selected from primary one to six, and the age range was between 5 to 12 years (mean age was 9.13yrs). The instrument used was the Disruptive Behaviour Disorder rating scale. Six research questions were generated and the statistical tool used was percentages. Four hundred pupils were sampled, 94 (23.15%) were screened as having symptoms of ADHD of which 45 (47.87%) had the Hyperactivity type, 20 (21.28%) had the Inattention type and 29 (30.85%) had ADHD combined type. The result confirmed that pupils in primary schools suffer more from ADHD hyperactivity type than inattention and the combined type. The sex ratio for ADHD combined type and Inattention type is about 2:1, while hyperactivity is about 1:1. Gender difference was found to vary across ADHD type. Boys being generally rated as more impaired in the combined with a prevalence of 21 (8.90%) but equally or less impaired with hyperactivity-impulsive subtype 28 (11.86%) and 9 (3.81%) in the inattention group. These findings suggest that there is a prevalence of ADHD in Edo State.
Impact of Third-Order Intermodulation on the Performance of Subcarrier Multiplexed Quantum Key Distribution

This paper extends the analysis presented in a previous contribution to account for the effect of third-order intermodulation distortion in the system quantum bit error rate attainable in subcarrier multiplexed quantum key distribution (SCM-QKD) systems, showing that under practical conditions this effect can be safely neglected. When the unconditionally secure key distribution rate is computed for BB84 SCM-QKD systems based on weak coherent pulses and strong reference, it is found a per-channel additional decrease due to nonlinear distortions as low as 1% when compared to the dedicated nonmultiplexed BB84 key distribution channels operated under the same conditions.
Abstract–The Mutual Fund Industry and Its Comparative Performance

Various studies reported in the literature overwhelmingly reach the conclusion that the mutual funds in general have not outperformed the market. This result seems at variance with the tremendous growth the mutual fund industry has experienced over the past two decades. If the market efficiency hypothesis is valid, and there is considerable evidence in its support, then a mutual fund may not be able to consistently outperform the market. However, while an average mutual fund does not outperform the market, the mutual fund industry as a whole may be able to do so.
An investigation of anatomical competence in junior medical doctors

Because of a decrease of the time available for anatomy education, decisions need to be made to reduce the relevant content of the anatomy curriculum. Several expert consensus initiatives resulted in lists of structures, lacking analysis of anatomical competence. This study aims to explore the use of anatomical knowledge by medical doctors in an attempt to delineate the nature of anatomical competence. The research question is: what kind of anatomical knowledge do junior medical doctors use during a consultation with a patient presenting with a shoulder complaint? Ten junior medical doctors participated in this stimulated recall study. Each of them was videotaped while performing a consultation with a standardized patient with a complex shoulder complaint. The recording was viewed immediately after. Participants were videotaped again while verbalizing the thoughts they remembered having during the consultation. Verbatim transcriptions were coded by two coders using the qualitative data analysis ATLAS.ti software. Results were that these junior medical doctors used anatomical knowledge in all phases of the consultation, especially during physical examination. The use of anatomical terms was strongly associated with clinical reasoning and it was apparent that every subject visualized relevant anatomical information. Conclusion is that young medical doctors actively use their anatomical knowledge and it seems that the relevant anatomy consists largely of adequate visual representations in memory. Anatomy teachers should focus the students' learning activity on building an adequate visual representation of anatomical structures. This should be supported by assessments that test the quality of the students' visual representations. Anat Sci Educ. © 2015 American Association of Anatomists.
Self-tuning interval type-2 fuzzy PID controllers based on online rule weighting

In this study, a self-tuning method is proposed for interval type-2 fuzzy PID (IT2FPID) controllers. The proposed method tunes the fuzzy rule weights of the IT2FPID controllers in an on-line manner. The step response of the closed loop system is firstly taken into consideration and the response is divided into certain regions which is equal to the number of fuzzy sets defined for the error input of the IT2FPID controller. Moreover, the relative importance of the activated fuzzy rules is determined for these regions. We will present meta-rules for tuning of the fuzzy rule weights in order to obtain an appropriate control signal that will achieve a satisfactory system response. In this context, we will use two simple functions for the tuning of the rule weights of IT2FPID controller structure. The effectiveness of the proposed self-tuning IT2FPID is demonstrated on a real time ball and beam setup. The results illustrated that the proposed type-2 fuzzy controller gives a simple opportunity to enhance the control performance in comparison with the T1FPID and IT2FPID controller structures.
Pharmacogenomic strategies provide a rational approach to the treatment of cisplatin-resistant patients with advanced cancer.

PURPOSE Standard treatment for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) includes the use of a platinum-based chemotherapy regimen. However, response rates are highly variable. Newer agents, such as pemetrexed, have shown significant activity as second-line therapy and are currently being evaluated in the front-line setting. We utilized a genomic strategy to develop signatures predictive of chemotherapeutic response to both cisplatin and pemetrexed to provide a rational approach to effective individualized medicine. METHODS Using in vitro drug sensitivity data, coupled with microarray data, we developed gene expression signatures predicting sensitivity to cisplatin and pemetrexed. Signatures were validated with response data from 32 independent ovarian and lung cancer cell lines as well as 59 samples from patients previously treated with cisplatin. RESULTS Genomic-derived signatures of cisplatin and pemetrexed sensitivity were shown to accurately predict sensitivity in vitro and, in the case of cisplatin, to predict treatment response in patients treated with cisplatin. The accuracy of the cisplatin predictor, based on available clinical data, was 83.1% (sensitivity, 100%; specificity 57%; positive predictive value, 78%; negative predictive value, 100%). Interestingly, an inverse correlation was seen between in vitro cisplatin and pemetrexed sensitivity, and importantly, between the likelihood of cisplatin and pemetrexed response in patients. CONCLUSION The use of genomic predictors of response to cisplatin and pemetrexed can be incorporated into strategies to optimize therapy for advanced solid tumors.