Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estudo sobre a relação entre o resseguro, gestão dos índices regulatórios e a redução dos tributos em seguradoras no Brasil

La reciente entrada de nuevos reaseguradores, ademas del tradicional/estatal/monopolista, han creado una nueva faceta en el mercado nacional de seguros, cambiando drasticamente las caracteristicas de los reaseguros contratados por las companias de seguros. La relacion del reaseguro con los indices de solvencia, tributos y los factores determinantes de este fue el blanco de muchas investigaciones internacionales y nacionales, estas ultimas se realizaron en el periodo previo a la apertura del mercado (hasta el 2007). En este contexto, el presente estudio analiza, a traves de un modelo de regresion lineal con datos pooled, si el uso del reaseguro por parte de las aseguradoras brasilenas durante el periodo 2011-2013 fue influenciado por los niveles de solvencia, los tributos, la rentabilidad y el tamano. Segun las investigaciones internacionales, no hay un resultado estadisticamente significativo para las variables de solvencia. El determinante “tamano” indico que las aseguradoras mas pequenas tienen mayor rechazo al riesgo y por lo tanto el nivel de reaseguro es mas alto. El proxy de tributos presento significancia positiva, lo que sugiere que las aseguradoras nacionales utilizan el reaseguro como herramienta de gestion tributaria. El proxy de rentabilidad fue eficaz, lo que explica su relacion con el nivel de reaseguro utilizado por las companias de seguros nacionales; esto indica que las companias de seguros nacionales mas rentables tienden a invertir mas en la gestion de sus riesgos al usar mas el reaseguro en sus operaciones menos rentables. El presente estudio encontro indicios de que el reaseguro es utilizado por las companias de seguros de Brasil, no solo como una herramienta de gestion de riesgos, sino tambien en la gestion tributaria y de resultados
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF ADAPTATION IN CLARKIA XANTIANA. II. FITNESS VARIATION ACROSS A SUBSPECIES BORDER

Abstract Because the range boundary is the locale beyond which a taxon fails to persist, it provides a unique opportunity for studying the limits on adaptive evolution. Adaptive constraints on range expansion are perplexing in view of widespread ecotypic differentiation by habitat and region within a species' range (regional adaptation) and rapid evolutionary response to novel environments. In this study of two parapatric subspecies, Clarkia xantiana ssp. xantiana and C. x. ssp. parviflora, we compared the fitness of population transplants within their native region, in a non-native region within the native range, and in the non-native range to assess whether range expansion might be limited by a greater intensity of selection on colonists of a new range versus a new region within the range. The combined range of the two subspecies spans a west-to-east gradient of declining precipitation in the Sierra Nevada of California, with ssp. xantiana in the west being replaced by ssp. parviflora in the east. Both subspecies had significantly higher fitness in the native range (range adaptation), whereas regional adaptation was weak and was found only in the predominantly outcrossing ssp. xantiana but was absent in the inbreeding ssp. parviflora. Because selection intensity on transplants was much stronger in the non-native range relative to non-native regions, there is a larger adaptive barrier to range versus regional expansion. Three of five sequential fitness components accounted for regional and range adaptation, but only one of them, survivorship from germination to flowering, contributed to both. Flower number contributed to regional adaptation in ssp. xantiana and fruit set (number of fruits per flower) to range adaptation. Differential survivorship of the two taxa or regional populations of ssp. xantiana in non-native environments was attributable, in part, to biotic interactions, including competition, herbivory, and pollination. For example, low fruit set in ssp. xantiana in the east was likely due to the absence of its principal specialist bee pollinators in ssp. parviflora's range. Thus, convergence on self-fertilization may be necessary for ssp. xantiana to invade ssp. parviflora's range, but the evolution of outcrossing would not be required for ssp. parviflora to invade ssp. xantiana's range.
Compressive Superresolution Imaging Based on Local and Nonlocal Regularizations

Compressive sensing based on a redundant dictionary has been successfully applied in superresolution imaging. However, due to the neglect of the local and nonlocal interactions of patches of a single image, the reconstructed results are not satisfactory in noise suppression and edge sharpness. In this paper, we propose an improved method by adding steering kernel regression and a nonlocal means filter as two regularization terms and use an efficient clustering subdictionary learning scheme. We further demonstrate better results on true images in terms of traditional image quality assessment metrics.
A new approach to mathematical morphology on one dimensional sampled signals

We present a new approach to approximate continuous-domain mathematical morphology operators. The approach is applicable to irregularly sampled signals. We define a dilation under this new approach, where samples are duplicated and shifted according to the flat, continuous structuring element. We define the erosion by adjunction, and the opening and closing by composition. These new operators will significantly increase precision in image measurements. Experiments show that these operators indeed approximate continuous-domain operators better than the standard operators on sampled one-dimensional signals, and that they may be applied to signals using structuring elements smaller than the distance between samples. We also show that we can apply the operators to scan lines of a two-dimensional image to filter horizontal and vertical linear structures.
Molecular Characterization of Rht-1 Dwarfing Genes in Hexaploid Wheat12[C][W][OA]

The introduction of the Reduced height (Rht)-B1b and Rht-D1b semidwarfing genes led to impressive increases in wheat (Triticum aestivum) yields during the Green Revolution. The reduction in stem elongation in varieties containing these alleles is caused by a limited response to the phytohormone gibberellin (GA), resulting in improved resistance to stem lodging and yield benefits through an increase in grain number. Rht-B1 and Rht-D1 encode DELLA proteins, which act to repress GA-responsive growth, and their mutant alleles Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b are thought to confer dwarfism by producing more active forms of these growth repressors. While no semidwarfing alleles of Rht-A1 have been identified, we show that this gene is expressed at comparable levels to the other homeologs and represents a potential target for producing novel dwarfing alleles. In this study, we have characterized additional dwarfing mutations in Rht-B1 and Rht-D1. We show that the severe dwarfism conferred by Rht-B1c is caused by an intragenic insertion, which results in an in-frame 90-bp insertion in the transcript and a predicted 30-amino acid insertion within the highly conserved amino-terminal DELLA domain. In contrast, the extreme dwarfism of Rht-D1c is due to overexpression of the semidwarfing Rht-D1b allele, caused by an increase in gene copy number. We show also that the semidwarfing alleles Rht-B1d and Rht-B1e introduce premature stop codons within the amino-terminal coding region. Yeast two-hybrid assays indicate that these newly characterized mutations in Rht-B1 and Rht-D1 confer “GA-insensitive” dwarfism by producing DELLA proteins that do not bind the GA receptor GA INSENSITIVE DWARF1, potentially compromising their targeted degradation.
Soluble CD30 as a prognostic factor for outcome following renal transplantation

Aims: To determine whether measurement of soluble CD30 (sCD30) levels predicts for early rejection in a cohort of first deceased kidney transplant recipients. Methods: Pre-transplant serum samples were analysed for sCD30 levels using a commercial ELISA kit (Biotest). A 100 U/ml cut-off for “high sCD30” was applied. Clinical outcome parameters were biopsy-proven rejection episodes, creatinine levels and glomerular filtration rate. Results: In the cohort of patients who experienced at least one episode of rejection in the first 6 months post-transplant, levels of pre-transplant sCD30 were significantly higher than in those who did not experience rejection. Despite this association, the occurrence of a high sCD30 level did not predict for rejection on an individual basis. Conclusions: The prognostic value of pre-transplant sCD30 testing is diminished by the large number of patients with high sCD30 levels who do not develop rejection. Although this limits the utility of the test in informing clinical management of individual patients, a high pre-transplant sCD30 level should still be considered a risk factor for poorer outcome.
A novel fault detection mechanism of topology-aware ALM

The fault detection mechanism of existing topology-aware ALM protocol is very simple which greatly weakens its performance. So it needs a more efficient mechanism to ensure the robustness and QoS of ALM. We propose a novel fault detection mechanism named REW (Reverse-inhibition Early Warning) which can send warning message before the buffer data are consumed away to avoid the termination of service. It can reduce the number of repetitive and wrong warning through reverse-inhibition strategy at the same time. The simulation results show that REW fault detection mechanism can reduce disconnection delay caused by multicast members' fault with low maintain and control overhead.
Nutrigenomic approaches for benefit-risk analysis of foods and food components: defining markers of health

To be able to perform a comprehensive and rigorous benefit-risk analysis of individual food components, and of foods, a number of fundamental questions need to be addressed first. These include whether it is feasible to detect all relevant biological effects of foods and individual food components, how such effects can confidently be categorised into benefits and risks in relation to health and, for that matter, how health can be quantified. This article examines the last of these issues, focusing upon concepts for the development of new biomarkers of health. Clearly, there is scope for refinement of classical biomarkers so that they may be used to detect even earlier signs of disease, but this approach defines health solely as the absence of detectable disease or disease risk. We suggest that the health of a biological system may better be reflected by its ability to withstand and manage relevant physiological challenges so that homeostasis is maintained. We discuss the potential for expanding the range of current challenge tests for use in conjunction with functional genomic technologies to develop new types of biomarkers of health.
Tankyrase Polymerization Is Controlled by Its Sterile Alpha Motif and Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Domains

ABSTRACT Tankyrases are novel poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases that have SAM and ankyrin protein-interaction domains. They are found at telomeres, centrosomes, nuclear pores, and Golgi vesicles and have been shown to participate in telomere length regulation. Their other function(s) are unknown, and it has been difficult to envision a common role at such diverse cellular locations. We have shown that tankyrase 1 polymerizes through its sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain to assemble large protein complexes. In vitro polymerization is reversible and still allows interaction with ankyrin-domain binding proteins. Polymerization can also occur in vivo, with SAM-dependent association of overexpressed tankyrase leading to formation of large tankyrase-containing vesicles, disruption of Golgi structure, and inhibition of apical secretion. Finally, tankyrase polymers are dissociated efficiently by poly(ADP-ribosy)lation. This disassembly is prevented by mutation of the PARP domain. Our findings indicate that tankyrase 1 has the unique capacity to promote both assembly and disassembly of large protein complexes. Thus, tankyrases appear to be master scaffolding proteins that regulate the formation of dynamic protein networks at different cellular locations. This implies a common scaffolding function for tankyrases at each location, with specific tankyrase interaction partners conferring location-specific roles to each network, e.g., telomere compaction or regulation of vesicle trafficking.
High-efficiency wide-band SOA-based wavelength converters by using dual-pumped four-wave mixing and an assist beam

Wavelength conversion with a high efficiency and wide conversion range can easily be realized by applying an assist beam of short wavelength to a dual-pumped semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). Experimental results reveal that an assist beam can improve the conversion efficiency and signal-to-background ratio by up to 8.5 and 4.1 dB, respectively, when the SOA is biased at the current that makes the SOA transparent to the assist beam. The efficiency can exceed -10 dB over an 80-nm wavelength conversion range using a 23-dB gain SOA. The assist beam increases the system power budget because it simultaneously improves the conversion efficiency and reduces the receiver power penalty. The power penalties for up-converting and down-converting 10-Gb/s signals to 25 nm of wavelength range are less than 0.5 and 2.5 dB, respectively.
Family adversity in DSM-IV ADHD combined and inattentive subtypes and associated disruptive behavior problems.

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the relationship between a family adversity index and DSM-IV attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) subtypes and associated behavior problems. The relationship of family adversity to symptoms and subtypes of ADHD was examined. METHOD Parents and 206 children aged 7-13 completed diagnostic interviews and rating scales about socioeconomic status, parental lifetime psychiatric disorders, marital conflict, and stressful life events. RESULTS Children with ADHD combined type experienced more risk factors than community controls (p = .002) or children with ADHD predominantly inattentive type (p = .02). The families of children with ADHD combined type described more risk factors associated with family adversity than the families of children with ADHD inattentive type and the control group. Parent-rated symptoms of child inattention/disorganization were related uniquely to the adversity index score independently of conduct disorder symptoms. Children's perceptions of marital conflict were independently related to inattention and hyperactivity behaviors as rated by parents and teachers after control of all other risk factors. Oppositional defiant symptoms were independently related to marital conflict and maternal psychopathology, whereas conduct disorder symptoms were uniquely related to low socioeconomic status and maternal psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS Family adversity is related to ADHD combined type in children and may be related specifically to ADHD symptoms in addition to conduct disorder symptoms.
The Budding Yeast Ubiquitin Protease Ubp7 Is a Novel Component Involved in S Phase Progression*

DNA damage must be repaired in an accurate and timely fashion to preserve genome stability. Cellular mechanisms preventing genome instability are crucial to human health because genome instability is considered a hallmark of cancer. Collectively referred to as the DNA damage response, conserved pathways ensure proper DNA damage recognition and repair. The function of numerous DNA damage response components is fine-tuned by posttranslational modifications, including ubiquitination. This not only involves the enzyme cascade responsible for conjugating ubiquitin to substrates but also requires enzymes that mediate directed removal of ubiquitin. Deubiquitinases remove ubiquitin from substrates to prevent degradation or to mediate signaling functions. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae deubiquitinase Ubp7 has been characterized previously as an endocytic factor. However, here we identify Ubp7 as a novel factor affecting S phase progression after hydroxyurea treatment and demonstrate an evolutionary and genetic interaction of Ubp7 with DNA damage repair pathways of homologous recombination and nucleotide excision repair. We find that deletion of UBP7 sensitizes cells to hydroxyurea and cisplatin and demonstrate that factors that stabilize replication forks are critical under these conditions. Furthermore, ubp7Δ cells exhibit an S phase progression defect upon checkpoint activation by hydroxyurea treatment. ubp7Δ mutants are epistatic to factors involved in histone maintenance and modification, and we find that a subset of Ubp7 is chromatin-associated. In summary, our results suggest that Ubp7 contributes to S phase progression by affecting the chromatin state at replication forks, and we propose histone H2B ubiquitination as a potential substrate of Ubp7.
Discrete-Time Threshold Regression for Survival Data with Time-Dependent Covariates

Discrete-Time Threshold Regression for Survival Data with Time-Dependent Covariates Stefan Sharkansky Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Associate Professor Kwun Chuen Gary Chan Biostatistics A natural approach to survival analysis in many settings is to model the subject’s “health” status as a latent stochastic process, where the terminal event is represented by the first time that the process crosses a threshold. “Threshold regression” models the covariate effects on the latent process. Much of the literature on threshold regression assumes that the process is a one-dimensional Wiener process, where crossing times have a tractable inverse Gaussian distribution but where the process characteristics are fixed at baseline. This framework is not easily extended to incorporate time-varying covariates or dependent competing risks. We introduce a novel approach for performing threshold regression with time-dependent covariates in a discrete time setting, where the process is a Gaussian random walk, with time-varying drift as a parameterized function of time-varying covariates. This model is then extended to consider dual correlated competing risks. We present methods for estimating model parameters, including an EM algorithm, and outline numerical algorithms for efficiently evaluating the observed and complete data likelihoods and score functions and for estimating standard errors. We discuss results of applying these methods to both simulated data and to the Freddie Mac residential mortgage data set. In the latter case we quantify associations between baseline borrower characteristics and time-varying macroeconomic conditions versus time to mortgage default and prepayment events.
Can Colonic Manometry Studies Be Done on the Day of Colonic Motility Catheter Placement?

Background and Aims: Colonic manometry has been used to assess colonic neuromuscular integrity in pediatric patients with severe constipation unresponsive to standard medical therapy and to tailor their treatment plans. There are presently no available standard protocols for conducting colonic manometry studies. The aim of the present study was to determine whether colonic manometry studies can be conducted on the same day the colonic motility catheters are placed and to compare the effects of inhaled sevoflurane versus intravenous propofol, used during catheter placement, on colonic motility. Methods: Twenty patients, randomized to receive sevoflurane or propofol during catheter placement, underwent colonic manometry on the day of catheter placement as well as the day after. The total motility index (MI), change in MI in response to a meal and bisacodyl, and presence of high-amplitude propagating contractions were compared between the 2 studies for each patient. Results: Ten patients were allocated to sevoflurane and 10 patients to propofol. A total of 8 (80%) patients in the sevoflurane group and 9 (90%) patients in the propofol group had no differences in their studies between days 1 and 2 when the tracings were interpreted manually for gross evidence of high-amplitude propagating contractions and gastrocolonic reflex. Similarly, there was no change in the total MI between studies done on days 1 and 2 in either sevoflurane (978 ± 232 vs 978 ± 184; P = 0.99) or propofol (968 ± 200 vs 1078 ± 227; P = 0.29) group. When comparing change in MI in response to a meal or bisacodyl between the 2 days, there was no statistical difference noted in either group. Conclusions: Colonic manometry studies can be conducted as early as 4 hours following catheter placement with either propofol or sevoflurane used for anesthesia.
The transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3 control alternative pathways of T-cell differentiation through a shared set of target genes

Upon detection of antigen, CD4+ T helper (Th) cells can differentiate into a number of effector types that tailor the immune response to different pathogens. Alternative Th1 and Th2 cell fates are specified by the transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3, respectively. Only a handful of target genes are known for these two factors and because of this, the mechanism through which T-bet and GATA-3 induce differentiation toward alternative cell fates is not fully understood. Here, we provide a genomic map of T-bet and GATA-3 binding in primary human T cells and identify their target genes, most of which are previously unknown. In Th1 cells, T-bet associates with genes of diverse function, including those with roles in transcriptional regulation, chemotaxis and adhesion. GATA-3 occupies genes in both Th1 and Th2 cells and, unexpectedly, shares a large proportion of targets with T-bet. Re-complementation of T-bet alters the expression of these genes in a manner that mirrors their differential expression between Th1 and Th2 lineages. These data show that the choice between Th1 and Th2 lineage commitment is the result of the opposing action of T-bet and GATA-3 at a shared set of target genes and may provide a general paradigm for the interaction of lineage-specifying transcription factors.
Regulation of Apicomplexan Microfilament Dynamics by a Minimal Set of Actin‐Binding Proteins

Efficient and rapid host cell invasion is a prerequisite for an intracellular parasitic life style. Pathogens typically induce receptor‐mediated endocytosis and hijack the force‐transducing system of a host cell to gain access to a replication‐competent niche. In striking contrast, apicomplexan parasites such as Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, and the human and animal pathogens Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium employ their own actomyosin motor machinery to propel themselves into prospective host cells. Understanding the regulation and dynamics of actin‐based motility of these parasites is therefore central to understanding their pathogenesis. The parasite genomes harbour surprisingly few potential actin‐regulatory proteins indicating that a basic repertoire meets the requirements to regulate actin dynamics. In this article, we summarize our current knowledge of Plasmodium microfilament dynamics and describe its potential players.
The non-compensatory relationship between risk and return in business angel investment decision making

Abstract By analyzing observed interactions between entrepreneurs and business angels (BAs) on the Canadian reality TV show Dragons’ Den, we find that BAs use a non-compensatory decision-making process when evaluating anticipated risk and return. This is consistent with our hypotheses that BAs use decision heuristics (shortcuts) to conserve cognitive effort when deciding whether or not to invest in business opportunities proposed by entrepreneurs. Our results further our understanding of how and when behavioral decision theory can inform real-life BA investment decision processes. Additionally, the results offer practical implications for entrepreneurs interested in pitching proposals to BAs.