Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Error Specification in a Production System

Economists who estimate demand or supply systems are often faced with the issue of whether to estimate with shares or quantities as the dependent variables. This paper reviews the implications of making the wrong choice in the context of normalized profit functions of competitive behavior. The implication is that inconsistent estimates are obtained if one makes the wrong choice. A robust structure is proposed which nests these forms (shares or quantities) in a general system and that allows the data to suggest which form is preferable. An application to the U.S. agricultural sector follows. Our results suggest that shares and quantities are rejected in favor of an alternative functional form.
Crawling gait for four-limbed robot and simulation on uneven terrain

Crawling motion by a robot is effective for reducing shock in the case of a fall. It thus decreases the possibility of a locomotion malfunction on uneven terrain. In this paper, the control of crawling motion on uneven terrain is described. Firstly, crawling motion and detailed motion are explained. Then, a method for controlling crawling motion is outlined for its realization. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method for locomotion on uneven terrain, rough rubble ground was generated in a dynamics simulator and the crawling method was applied to our developed four-limbed robot. Additionally, a crawler robot was generated. A comparison was conducted to verify the difference in locomotion capabilities between the proposed method and other locomotion styles. The simulation results confirmed that the proposed method enabled successful locomotion of our four-limbed robot on uneven terrain.
MRI-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy in non-ET tremor syndromes

Objective: To report the 6-month single-blinded results of unilateral thalamotomy with MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) in patients with tremors other than essential tremor. Methods: Three patients with tremor due to Parkinson disease, 2 with dystonic tremor in the context of cervicobrachial dystonia and writer's cramp, and 1 with dystonia gene–associated tremor underwent MRgFUS targeting the ventro-intermedius nucleus (Vim) of the dominant hemisphere. The primary endpoint was the reduction of lateralized items of the Tremor Rating Scale of contralateral hemibody assessed by a blinded rater. Results: All patients achieved a statistically significant, immediate, and sustained improvement of the contralateral tremor score by 42.2%, 52.0%, 55.9%, and 52.9% at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months after the procedure, respectively. All patients experienced transient side effects and 2 patients experienced persistent side effects at the time of last evaluation: hemitongue numbness and hemiparesis with hemihypoesthesia. Conclusions: Vim MRgFUS is a promising, incision-free, but nevertheless invasive technique to effectively treat tremors other than essential tremor. Future studies on larger samples and longer follow-up will further define its effectiveness and safety. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02252380. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with tremor not caused by essential tremor, MRgFUS of the Vim improves the tremor of the contralateral hemibody at 6 months.
Differential Effects of Agonists on Adenylyl Cyclase Superactivation Mediated by the κ Opioid Receptors: Adenylyl Cyclase Superactivation Is Independent of Agonist-Induced Phosphorylation, Desensitization, Internalization, and Down-Regulation

Prolonged activation of opioid receptors followed by agonist removal leads to adenylyl cyclase (AC) superactivation. In this study, we examined in CHO cells stably expressing the human or rat κ opioid receptor (hkor or rkor) whether agonists had differential abilities to induce AC superactivation and whether the hkor and rkor exhibited differential AC superactivation. Pretreatment of the hkor with (trans)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl]benzeneacetamide methanesulfonate (U50,488H) induced AC superactivation in a time- and dose-dependent manner, reaching a plateau at 4 h and 0.1 μM. The extents of AC superactivation after a 4-h pretreatment of the hkor with saturating concentrations of agonists were in the order of the full agonists U50,488H, dynorphin A(1–17), (±)-ethylketocyclazocine, etorphine, and U69,593 > the high-efficacy partial agonist nalorphine > the low-efficacy partial agonists nalbuphine, morphine, and pentazocine. Interestingly, the full agonist levorphanol caused much lower AC superactivation than other full agonists and reduced the AC superactivation induced by U50,488H and dynorphin A(1–17) in a dose-dependent manner. The order of relative efficacies of agonists in causing AC superactivation mediated by the rkor was similar to that mediated by the hkor and the extents of AC superactivation were slightly lower. Because the rkor does not undergo U50,488H (1 μM)-induced phosphorylation, desensitization, internalization, and down-regulation in these cells, the degree of AC superactivation is independent of these processes. This is among the first reports to demonstrate that relative efficacies of agonists in causing AC superactivation generally correlated with those in activating G proteins and a full agonist reduced AC superactivation induced by another full agonist.
Women on Women: Lesbian Identity, Lesbian Community, and Lesbian Comics

Decades of communication research have shown that the stories we humans tell ourselves about ourselves reflect and shape our identities as members of our particular culture(s). By creating texts that portray a group rarely made visible, lesbian comic artists both represent and define lesbian identity and community. This textual analysis of the work of four comic artists, Alison Bechdel, Diane DiMassa, Justine Shaw, and Ariel Schrag, demonstrates how lesbian comic book artists draw on and contribute to the notions of lesbian identity and community. This study of the comics and secondary sources reveals three interconnected themes: visibility, self-reflexivity, and the complex interrelation of and process of defining identity and community.
A novel mutation causing complete deficiency of thyroxine binding globulin

Thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) is a serum protein that transports thyroxine. Three naturally occurring mutations have been reported to produce complete deficiency of TBG (TBG‐CD). The first to be reported was TBG‐CD5 in caucasian families of French‐Canadian origin and consists of substitutions in exons 2 and 3. TBG‐CD of English ethnic origin (TBG‐CD6) is characterized by a thymine deletion in codon 165 (exon 1). In Japanese families with TBG‐CD (TBG‐CDJ), a variant has been characterized with a deletion of the first base of the codon for amino acid 352 (exon 4) in the common type TBG. In this communication we report a new type of TBG‐CD in a family of japanese ethnic origin that is characterized by a single nucleotide substitution in place of two nucleotides in exon 1. This is an uncommon mutation which we have been unable to find in other genes.
Cerebellar control of the vestibulo-ocular reflex--around the flocculus hypothesis.

The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is an elementary reflex, which attracted the attention of a number of classical neurophysiologists who studied, in particular, the reflexive compensatory eye movements induced by head movements (cfMagnus 1924, Lorente de No 1931). The major pathway for this reflex is the well-defined trineuronal are, composed of primary vestibu­ lar neurons, secondary vestibular neurons, and oculomotor neurons (Ra­ mon y Cajal 1909, Lorente de N6 1931, 1933, Szentagothai 1943, 1950, 1964, Brodal & Pompeiano 1957). The pioneering electrophysiological work by Lorente de N6 (1939) and by subsequent investigators recognized that the vestibulo-ocular reflex involves both excitation and inhibition (Szentllgothai 1950, Cohen et al 1964). More recent data about the VOR have been reviewed by Brodal (1974), Cohen (1974), Precht (1978), and Wilson & Melvill Jones (1979). In recent years, the vestibulo-ocular refiex has been reexamined in detail because of its close relationship with the cerebellum. Supported by remark­ able advances in cerebellar physiology and eye movement studies, the VOR has become an interesting and important subject of neurophysiology, espe­ cially for investigation of cerebellar control mechanisms. This article re­ views the efforts made in the past decade toward understanding the
Use of Deep Learning in Modern Recommendation System: A Summary of Recent Works

With the exponential increase in the amount of digital information over the internet, online shops, online music, video and image libraries, search engines and recommendation system have become the most convenient ways to find relevant information within a short time. In the recent times, deep learning's advances have gained significant attention in the field of speech recognition, image processing and natural language processing. Meanwhile, several recent studies have shown the utility of deep learning in the area of recommendation systems and information retrieval as well. In this short review, we cover the recent advances made in the field of recommendation using various variants of deep learning technology. We organize the review in three parts: Collaborative system, Content based system and Hybrid system. The review also discusses the contribution of deep learning integrated recommendation systems into several application domains. The review concludes by discussion of the impact of deep learning in recommendation system in various domain and whether deep learning has shown any significant improvement over the conventional systems for recommendation. Finally, we also provide future directions of research which are possible based on the current state of use of deep learning in recommendation systems.
Multiple Sp1 Binding Sites in the Cardiac/Slow Twitch Muscle Sarcoplamsic Reticulum Ca-ATPase Gene Promoter Are Required for Expression in Sol8 Muscle Cells (*)

The rabbit cardiac/slow twitch muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA2) gene encodes a Ca transport pump whose expression is regulated during skeletal and cardiac muscle development and in response to various pathophysiological and hormonal states. Employing transient transfection analyses in Sol8 muscle cells, we have identified two positive regulatory regions, one distal (−1810 base pair (bp) to −1110 bp) and one proximal (−284 bp to −72 bp), within the SERCA2 promoter. The proximal promoter region from −284 bp to −80 bp was shown to confer muscle-specific expression to a heterologous promoter in Sol8 cells. This region is highly GC-rich containing the consensus sequence for four Sp1 elements (GGGCGG) and three Sp1-like elements (GGGAGG). DNase I footprint analysis with Sol8 nuclear extracts and purified Sp1 protein showed the protection of the seven Sp1 binding sites. In addition, site-directed mutagenesis of the Sp1 consensus sites demonstrated that Sp1 sites are essential for the muscle-specific expression of the SERCA2 promoter. Furthermore, we demonstrate that cotransfection of an Sp1 expression vector together with SERCA2-CAT constructs can up-regulate SERCA2 promoter activity. These results imply that the Sp1 transcription factor plays an important role in the transcriptional regulation of SERCA2 within muscle cells.
The strategic value of oscillating tie strength in technology clusters

Summary This paper focuses on the innovation networks of high-technology Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) within a Science and Technology Park (STP). More specifically, the study examines the role of network ties in high-technology SMEs by focusing on the linkages employed by small businesses to learn, adapt to technological change, and innovate. The paper presents evidence from a recent survey of Brisbane Technology Park (BTP) and this illustrates how the competitiveness of local high-tech firms will be enhanced by the suggested model, which describes the need for oscillation between weak and strong ties at different stages of the innovation process and diffusion.
Fano resonance in a composite metamaterial of superlattice and isotropic metamaterials

By embedding polarization-independent four-rod resonators into polarization-dependent double-split ring resonator superlattice metamaterial, a polarization-dependent Fano resonance is experimentally demonstrated in THz regime. A finite-difference time domain simulation shows that a destructive coherent coupling between radiative bright dipole mode in double split ring resonator and non-radiative dark anti-dipole mode in four-rod resonators is responsible for Fano resonance.
THE WAR AT HOME: MILITARY SERVICE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WORK IN PROGRESS-COMMENTS WELCOME

This paper introduces and studies a new long-term link between wartime military service and post-war behavior. Our key result is that exposure to wartime sexual violence significantly increases an Angolan Civil War veteran’s propensity to commit domestic violence more than a decade after the end of the war. We find strong effects on non-sexual physical violence, similar and related effects on disputes between intimate partners, no effects on sexual violence, and a slightly negative effect on domineering behavior. Taken together, we interpret these findings as in favor of an underlying effect based on gender-based violent behavior rather than living up to gender norms. We find no evidence for alternative theories of domestic violence, based on a reduction in economic bargaining power or high levels of distress. This supports a perspective of domestic violence as expressive behavior that is not triggered by payoff-relevant considerations.
Inhibition of Paclitaxel-induced Decreases in Calcium Signaling*

Background: Microtubule-dependent chemotherapeutic drugs cause an irreversible peripheral neuropathy through a calcium-dependent signaling pathway. Results: The addition of candidate compounds (lithium and ibudilast) inhibits harmful changes to cells caused by microtubule-based chemotherapeutic drugs. Conclusion: Co-administration of ibudilast or lithium inhibits drug-induced changes in cell function. Significance: Addition of these protectors may inhibit unnecessary damage caused by chemotherapeutic drugs. Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most severe and irreversible side effects caused by treatment from several chemotherapeutic drugs, including paclitaxel (Taxol®) and vincristine. Strategies are needed that inhibit this unwanted side effect without altering the chemotherapeutic action of these drugs. We previously identified two proteins in the cellular pathway that lead to Taxol-induced peripheral neuropathy, neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) and calpain. Prolonged treatment with Taxol induces activation of calpain, degradation of NCS-1, and loss of intracellular calcium signaling. This paper has focused on understanding the molecular basis for prevention of peripheral neuropathy by testing the effects of addition of two candidate compounds to the existing chemotherapeutic drug regime: lithium and ibudilast. We found that the co-administration of either lithium or ibudilast to neuroblastoma cells that were treated with Taxol or vincristine inhibited activation of calpain and the reductions in NCS-1 levels and calcium signaling associated with these chemotherapeutic drugs. The ability of Taxol to alter microtubule formation was unchanged by the addition of either candidate compound. These results allow us to suggest that it is possible to prevent the unnecessary and irreversible damage caused by chemotherapeutic drugs while still maintaining therapeutic efficacy. Specifically, the addition of either lithium or ibudilast to existing chemotherapy treatment protocols has the potential to prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Stability and plasticity of wild‐type and Pax5‐deficient precursor B cells

Summary: In Pax5‐deficient mice, B cell development is blocked at the pre‐BI cell stage. Like wild‐type, Pax5–/– pre‐BI cells can be grown long‐term in vitro in the presence of stromal cells and IL‐7. However, unlike their wild‐type in vitro‐grown counterparts, Pax5–/– pre‐BI cells possess an extraordinary developmental plasticity showing hematopoietic stem cell features such as multipotency and self renewing capacity. Here we review and discuss this in vitro and in vivo plasticity of Pax5–/– pre‐BI cells.
Inclusion of solvation free energy with molecular mechanics energy: Alanyl dipeptide as a test case

A combined force field of molecular mechanics and solvation free energy is tested by carrying out energy minimization and molecular dynamics on several conformations of the alanyl dipeptide. Our results are qualitatively consistent with previous experimental and computational studies, in that the addition of solvation energy stabilizes the C5 conformation of the alanyl dipeptide relative to the C7.
The Outcome of Anorexia Nervosa in Younger Subjects

Summary Twenty-one children who conformed to DSM-III criteria for anorexia nervosa, and who were aged 13 or younger at onset, were followed up after several years (mean = eight) using a range of outcome parameters. Comparison of these results with previous studies of later onset cases suggests that the age of onset of anorexia nervosa carries no prognostic significance.
Using a <670> zone axis for convergent beam electron diffraction measurements of lattice strain in strained silicon

Convergent beam electron diffraction patterns of silicon from the gate channel region of a complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor transistor with recessed Si.82Ge. 18 stressors were analysed using three zone axes: <230>, <340> and <670>. Values measured using these axes were compared with each other with regards to strain along the [] and the [001] directions. It was demonstrated that strain measurements made using all three axes showed reasonable agreement with each other: an increase in the [] compressive strain and a switch from compressive to tensile strain in the [001] with decreasing distance below the gate. It was also observed that the strain calculations using the <230> axis had the lowest uncertainty whereas the <670> axis allowed for measurements closest to the gate due to the improved lateral resolution at that tilt angle.
Thermal-death times of opaque and translucent morphotypes of Vibrio vulnificus

Thermal-death times were determined for Vibrio vulnificus strains with different morphotypes. Opaque strains showed higher D values (times required to reduce the viable population of a given strain by 90%) than translucent strains. Z values (absolute values of the temperature required to reduce 1 log scale of D values) were also significantly higher in opaque morphotypes (2.4 to 2.5 degrees C) than in translucent ones (1.7 to 2.1 degrees C). These results indicate that the morphotype is related to the organism's susceptibility to heat.
Dog Lymphocyte Cultures Facilitate the Isolation and Growth of Virulent Canine Distemper Virus

Optimal conditions for the isolation and growth of virulent canine distemper virus (CDV) in canine thymic and peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures were determined. Peak virus titers were seen from 3 to 6 days postinoculation of lymphocytes and depended on the multiplicity of infection. Dog lymphocytes were at least as susceptible as canine macrophages to infection with virulent CDV. Virus replication in lymphocytes resulted in higher virus titers than in dog lung macrophages. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from CDV-immune dogs were as susceptible to CDV as were PBL from susceptible dogs.
A Single Amino Acid Substitution Converts γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase to a Class IV Cephalosporin Acylase (Glutaryl-7-Aminocephalosporanic Acid Acylase)

ABSTRACT The aspartyl residue at position 433 of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase of Escherichia coli K-12 was replaced by an asparaginyl residue. This substitution enabled γ-glutamyltranspeptidase to deacylate glutaryl-7-aminocephalosporanic acid, producing 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, which is a starting material for the synthesis of semisynthetic cephalosporins.
Validating the Electronic Cardiac Arrest Risk Triage (eCART) Score for Risk Stratification of Surgical Inpatients in the Postoperative Setting: Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE Assess the accuracy of 3 early warning scores for predicting severe adverse events in postoperative inpatients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Postoperative clinical deterioration on inpatient hospital services is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and cost. Early warning scores have been developed to detect inpatient clinical deterioration and trigger rapid response activation, but knowledge regarding the application of early warning scores to postoperative inpatients is limited. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients hospitalized on the wards after surgical procedures at an urban academic medical center from November, 2008 to January, 2016. The accuracies of the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), National Early Warning Score (NEWS), and the electronic cardiac arrest risk triage (eCART) score were compared in predicting severe adverse events (ICU transfer, ward cardiac arrest, or ward death) in the postoperative period using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS Of the 32,537 patient admissions included in the study, 3.8% (n = 1243) experienced a severe adverse outcome after the procedure. The accuracy for predicting the composite outcome was highest for eCART [AUC 0.79 (95% CI: 0.78-0.81)], followed by NEWS [AUC 0.76 (95% CI: 0.75-0.78)], and MEWS [AUC 0.75 (95% CI: 0.73-0.76)]. Of the individual vital signs and labs, maximum respiratory rate was the most predictive (AUC 0.67) and maximum temperature was an inverse predictor (AUC 0.46). CONCLUSION Early warning scores are predictive of severe adverse events in postoperative patients. eCART is significantly more accurate in this patient population than both NEWS and MEWS.
DNA repair gene XRCC 3 Thr 241 Met polymorphism and glioma risk : a meta-analysis

Background: The polymorphism of XRCC3 Thr241Met has been indicated to be correlated with glioma susceptibility, but study results are still debatable. The present meta-analysis was performed to investigate the association between XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism and glioma. Methods: A total of 3754 glioma patients and 4849 controls from nine separate studies were involved. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was assessed by the random-effects model. Results: The association between XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism and glioma was significant in the recessive model (OR = 1.36; 95% CI, 1.02 – 1.82; P = 0.03). In a stratified analysis by the ethnicity, significantly increased risk was detected in Asians (OR = 1.93; 95% CI, 1.18 – 3.17; P = 0.009). Conclusions: In conclusion, XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism was implied to be associated with increased glioma risk. More studies are needed to validate this result.