Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Process Characterization of a Novel Cross‐Regulation System for Cloned Protein Production in Escherichia coli

A novel cross‐regulation expression system has been shown previously to be very effective for regulated recombinant protein production. Earlier studies established that this system offers better control of basal expression and higher maximal induced expression than more traditional vectors. Using production of cloned chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) as a model system, several factors determining the performance of this system were examined. Specifically, the effects of varying induction times and inducer (IPTG) concentrations on cell growth and the rate of CAT production were examined. The CAT expression was maximally induced with at least 0.5 mM IPTG added at the midexponential growth phase. Specific CAT content (on a total protein basis) was correlated with the CAT mRNA level. CAT message levels were minimal preinduction and far above background postinduction, consistent with prior simulation results. Cessation of CAT accumulation as the culture entered the stationary phase coincided with a corresponding 10‐fold decrease in the level of CAT mRNA which was likely caused by an increased mRNA degradation rate. Maintenance of significant CAT message levels with a concomitant 2‐fold increase in CAT accumulation was achieved by extending cell erowth in a fed‐batch process.
Trends of infodemiology studies: a scoping review

INTRODUCTION The health care industry is rich in data and information. Web technologies, such as search engines and social media, have provided an opportunity for the management of user generated data in real time in the form of infodemiology studies. The aim of this study was to investigate infodemiology studies conducted during 2002-2016, and compare them based on developed, developing and in transition countries. METHODS This scoping review was conducted in 2017 with the help of the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, Wiley and Springer databases were searched between the years 2002 and 2016. Finally, 56 articles were included in the review and analysed. RESULTS The initial infodemiology studies pertain to the quality assessment of the hospital's websites. Most of the studies were on developed countries, based on flu, and published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. CONCLUSION The infodemiology approach provides unmatched opportunities for the management of health data and information generated by the users. Using this potential will provide unique opportunities for the health information need assessment in real time by health librarians and thereby provide evidence based health information to the people.
Overview of NTCIR-13

This is an overview of NTCIR-13, the thirteenth sesquiannual research project for evaluating information access technologies. NTCIR-13 presents a diverse set of evaluation tasks related to information retrieval, question answering, natural language processing, etc (in total, nine tasks have been organized at NTCIR-13). This paper describes an outline of the research project, which includes its organization, schedule, scope and task designs. In addition, we introduce brief statistics of participants in the NTCIR-13 Conference. Readers should refer to individual task overview papers for their detailed descriptions and findings.
Sports Tourism Theory and Method—Concepts, Issues and Epistemologies

Earlier this year I wrote a piece in ESMQ on approaches to research synthesis in sport management (Weed, 2005). This piece was subtitled ‘‘Chaos in the brickyard’’. The analogy from which this subtitle was taken was drawn by Bernard Forscher in 1963 who, commenting on the development of social science knowledge, expressed concern about what he saw as the ‘‘random’’ and often excessive production of studies (bricks) that were thrown on to the pile of research without any consideration as to how bodies of knowledge (‘‘edifices’’) could be constructed. Forscher’s analogy was constructed thus:
Unions’ Dilemma When Firms Use Employment Intermediaries

This article examines how labour unions influence the use of employment intermediaries. Employment intermediaries, such as temporary help agencies (THAs) and contract companies, are commonly believed to undermine the power of labour unions, by fracturing the collectivism that characterises unions. However, these arrangements may also serve as a buffer in the workplace - protecting the regular workers from fluctuations in labour demand. The analyses are based on 1629 private sector establishments. Two main findings are reported. First, there is a positive relationship between unionisation and the use of employment intermediaries for staffing reasons. Second, highly unionised establishments tend to have the lowest use of THAs and contractors for reasons that may replace regular workers, suggesting that unions are able to influence how employers use employment intermediaries. The findings are discussed in relation to the regulated labour market in Norway.
Distributed Composite Quantization

Approximate nearest neighbor (ANN) search is a fundamental problem in computer vision, machine learning and information retrieval. Recently, quantization-based methods have drawn a lot of attention due to their superior accuracy and comparable efficiency compared with traditional hashing techniques. However, despite the prosperity of quantization techniques, they are all designed for the centralized setting, i.e., quantization is performed on the data on a single machine. This makes it difficult to scale these techniques to large-scale datasets. Built upon the Composite Quantization, we propose a novel quantization algorithm for data dis- tributed across different nodes of an arbitrary network. The proposed Distributed Composite Quantization (DCQ) decom-poses Composite Quantization into a set of decentralized sub-problems such that each node solves its own sub-problem on its local data, meanwhile is still able to attain consistent quantizers thanks to the consensus constraint. Since there is no exchange of training data across the nodes in the learning process, the communication cost of our method is low. Ex- tensive experiments on ANN search and image retrieval tasks validate that the proposed DCQ significantly improves Composite Quantization in both efficiency and scale, while still maintaining competitive accuracy.
The Shopping Mall as an Emergent Public Space in Turkey

The shopping mall as a part of the recent transformations in Turkish urban lifestyle is the focus of this research. Characteristics of the Turkish way of using shopping malls, and their social and spatial consequences, are investigated and analyzed through a case study in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The field survey was carried out in Bilkent Shopping Center, a newly built shopping mall in a suburban area which was also established recently as a high-income housing settlement. This shopping mall is an appropriate example of spatial transformations under the influence of global forces, which may also give clues about changes in urban lifestyle. A field survey was carried out through user surveys, and various observations are used to enrich the analysis. The results indicate that the shopping mall as a postmodern site matched the changing shopping and consumption requirements of Turkish urban citizens. The development of the shopping mall turns out to be timely for the Turkish urban citizen searching for modernity through new identity components in consumption patterns. Some benefit from this development more than others, for example, working women, indicating the process of feminization of the flaneur. However, these sites simultaneously produce a new arena of negotiation and conflict as well, creating new forms of exclusion—particularly for the urban poor. Although malls appear more public and democratic than the streets for the time being, the potential for segregation is implicit in their private character.
On the Causality between GDP and Health Care Expenditure in Augmented Solow Growth Model

This paper examines conditional convergence of OECD countries in gross domestic product (GDP) and health care expenditure (HCE) per capita. It presents estimation of the augmented Solow growth model suggested by Mankiw, Romer and Weil (1992) to explain variation in output and expenditure per capita across countries. The variation is due to different steady state growth paths resulting from differences in the countries savings rate, education, and population growth. This paper is an extension of the MRW model by incorporating health capital proxied by HCE to the augmented Solow model. The analysis is further related to the studies of health care expenditure where GDP per capita appear to be the main factor determining the level of expenditure on health care. The issue of causality relationship between GDP and HCE is investigated. The empirical analysis is based OECD countries’ data for the period of 1970-1992. The results indicate that OECD countries converge at 3.7% per year to their steady state level of income per capita. The results show that HCE has positive effect on the economic growth and the speed of convergence. The speed of convergence is found to be sensitive to whether one imposes a constant or estimate the depreciation and technological growth components. With no restrictions imposed the convergence rate is 5.2%. Considering the rate of convergence in the HCE model the results show that OECD countries converge at 2.7% to their steady state of HCE per capita. In the HCE model a regression of the speed of convergence on variables determining the rate of convergence show close link to the variables characterizing the health care system of sample countries.
Dynamics of Food Stamp Program Participation, 2001-2003

The Food Stamp Program provides assistance to millions of families each month. This report examines how long families tend to receive food stamps, and what circumstances lead them to enter and exit the program. About half the families that begin receiving benefits participate for eight months or less. Changes in earnings help explain why individuals enter (and subsequently exit) the program. More than half of the families that entered the program between 2001 and 2003 did so after a drop in monthly earnings; three-quarters of the families that left the program over this period did so when their total monthly income increased by more than 10 percent. The data source was the 2001 panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), a nationally representative, short-term longitudinal survey that collects detailed information on monthly labor force activity, earned and unearned income, cash and noncash assistance, and family and household composition.
The Effect of Vitamin D on Intestinal Inflammation and Faecal Microbiota in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

Background and Aims Vitamin D may be immunomodulatory and alter faecal microbiota, but results from clinical studies in humans to date have been inconclusive. This study aimed to assess the effect of vitamin D replacement in vitamin D-deficient patients with and without ulcerative colitis [UC] on inflammation and faecal microbiota. Methods Vitamin D was replaced over 8 weeks in patients with active UC [defined by faecal calprotectin ≥ 100 µg/g], inactive UC [faecal calprotectin < 100 µg/g] and non-inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] controls with baseline serum 25[OH] vitamin D <50 nmol/l, and markers of inflammation and faecal microbiota were analysed. Results Eight patients with active UC, nine with inactive UC and eight non-IBD controls received 40000 units cholecalciferol weekly for 8 weeks. Mean baseline 25[OH] vitamin D increased from 34 [range 12-49] to 111 [71-158] nmol/l [p < 0.001], with no difference across the groups [p = 0.32]. In patients with active UC, faecal calprotectin levels decreased from a median 275 to 111 µg/g [p = 0.02], platelet count decreased [mean 375 to 313 × 109/l, p = 0.03] and albumin increased [mean 43 to 45 g/l, p = 0.04]. These parameters did not change in patients with inactive UC or non-IBD controls. No changes in overall faecal bacterial diversity were noted although a significant increase in Enterobacteriaceae abundance was observed in patients with UC [p = 0.03]. Conclusions Vitamin D supplementation was associated with reduced intestinal inflammation in patients with active UC, with a concomitant increase in Enterobacteriaceae but no change in overall faecal microbial diversity.
Functional Multidrug Resistance Protein (MRP1) Lacking the N-terminal Transmembrane Domain*

The human multidrug resistance protein (MRP1) causes drug resistance by extruding drugs from tumor cells. In addition to an MDR-like core, MRP1 contains an N-terminal membrane-bound region (TMD0) connected to the core by a cytoplasmic linker (L0). We have studied truncated MRP1 versions containing either the MDR-like core alone or the core plus linker L0, produced in the baculovirus-insect (Sf9) cell system. Their function was examined in isolated membrane vesicles. Full-length MRP1 showed ATP-dependent, vanadate-sensitive accumulation of leukotriene C4 and N-ethylmaleimide glutathione. In addition, leukotriene C4-stimulated, vanadate-dependent nucleotide occlusion was detected. The MDR-like core was virtually inactive. Co-expression of the core with the N-terminal region including L0 fully restored MRP1 function. Unexpectedly, a truncated MRP1 mutant lacking the entire TMD0 region but still containing L0 behaved like wild-type MRP1 in vesicle uptake and nucleotide trapping experiments. We also expressed the MRP1 constructs in polarized canine kidney derived MDCKII cells. Like wild-type MRP1, the MRP1 protein without the TMD0 region was routed to the lateral plasma membrane and transported dinitrophenyl glutathione and daunorubicin. The TMD0L0 and the MRP1 minus TMD0L0 remained in an intracellular compartment. Taken together, these experiments strongly suggest that the TMD0 region is neither required for the transport function of MRP1 nor for its proper routing to the plasma membrane.
The Contribution of Virtual Reality Software to Design in Teaching Physical Education

Up to date research shows that training with virtual software develops the design of virtual simulations by physical education pre service teachers. The design of virtual simulations improved spatial skills, especially visualization of the body's movements in space. The present research is aimed at testing and developing physical education pre service teachers' awareness of the connection between the virtual simulation design and physical education activities. This is done by using Tetris software, consequently improving lesson planning. The study design focused on a qualitative research using a post-test open ended questionnaire for getting the participants' opinions, and comparing the pre service teachers' performance of virtual simulation design before and after the training with the Tetris software. The findings showed that as software use increased, the connection between the design of virtual simulations and physical education became clear to the pre service teachers. Also the pupils became involved in the virtual simulation design. Using computer presentations in their practical work, the pre service teachers reported improvement in pupils' physical skills. Moreover, the pre service teachers' motivation was enhanced. All the findings lead to the conclusion that virtual simulations design seem to mediate between developing physical skills involving running, jumping, etc. and spatial intelligence.
Lean leadership: a matter of dualism

On the basis of previous literature, this study takes a snowball approach to identify people influential on the topics through their writings. The aim was to conceptualise leadership and management in regard to lean, thus increasing understanding of the roles of leadership and management in lean development. The findings showed that leadership and management are two different but complementary action systems, similar to the duality of Toyota's two foundational principles: respect for people and continuous improvement. Differentiating between leadership and management is important in order to meet organisational needs during a lean implementation; each has complementary functions. Practical implications include the need to further train managers in leadership and to work within organisational culture to influence on-the-job behaviour. This lack of leadership competence may be one reason companies tend to address lean as a toolbox rather than an enterprise-wide system that covers all its operations and entails cultural and behaviour standards.
Assessing the relationships between phylogenetic and functional singularities in sharks (Chondrichthyes)

Abstract The relationships between diversity and ecosystem functioning have become a major focus of science. A crucial issue is to estimate functional diversity, as it is intended to impact ecosystem dynamics and stability. However, depending on the ecosystem, it may be challenging or even impossible to directly measure ecological functions and thus functional diversity. Phylogenetic diversity was recently under consideration as a proxy for functional diversity. Phylogenetic diversity is indeed supposed to match functional diversity if functions are conservative traits along evolution. However, in case of adaptive radiation and/or evolutive convergence, a mismatch may appear between species phylogenetic and functional singularities. Using highly threatened taxa, sharks, this study aimed to explore the relationships between phylogenetic and functional diversities and singularities. Different statistical computations were used in order to test both methodological issue (phylogenetic reconstruction) and overall a theoretical questioning: the predictive power of phylogeny for function diversity. Despite these several methodological approaches, a mismatch between phylogeny and function was highlighted. This mismatch revealed that (i) functions are apparently nonconservative in shark species, and (ii) phylogenetic singularity is not a proxy for functional singularity. Functions appeared to be not conservative along the evolution of sharks, raising the conservational challenge to identify and protect both phylogenetic and functional singular species. Facing the current rate of species loss, it is indeed of major importance to target phylogenetically singular species to protect genetic diversity and also functionally singular species in order to maintain particular functions within ecosystem.
Determinants of high cardiovascular risk in relation to plaque-composition of a non-culprit coronary segment visualized by near-infrared spectroscopy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

AIM The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between clinical and blood characteristics of a vascular inflammatory milieu and coronary plaque composition visualized by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients. METHODS AND RESULTS Between April 2009 and January 2011, we performed NIRS in 208 patients who underwent PCI or invasive diagnostic coronary exploration for various indications. Imaging was performed of one non-intervened coronary segment after the initial procedure. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were applied to evaluate the relationship between the acquired NIRS-derived lipid core burden index (LCBI) and clinical and blood (lipids and hs-C-reactive protein) characteristics. Patients with a history of hypercholesterolaemia [median 48 (inter-quartile range 21-101) vs. 38 (13-70), P = 0.043] and multi-vessel disease [55 (24-104) vs. 32 (12-71), P = 0.012] had higher LCBI levels. Men had higher LCBI than women [48 (21-95) vs. 27 (9-59), P = 0.003]. Hypercholesterolaemia and gender remained significant in multivariate regression analysis, whereas also a history of non-cardiac vascular disease and beta-blockers were positively associated with LCBI. Altogether 23.2% of the variability in LCBI could be explained by clinical and blood characteristics. CONCLUSION Clinical characteristics reflecting patients with a high cardiovascular risk profile explained 23.2% of the variability in LCBI, whereas blood biomarkers added little. Further research is warranted to evaluate whether NIRS has the potential to provide additional prognostic information about patients' cardiovascular risk.
Ultrasound strain elastography in assessment of chronic post-stroke spasticity of biceps brachii muscle

The assessment of post-stroke muscle spasticity is challenging due to lack of a gold standard. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), commonly used in evaluating spasticity is neither quantitative or reliable. We have reported the use of ultrasound strain imaging (USI) to assess rigid biceps brachii muscle (BBM) in Parkinson's disease [1]. We have now extended the application of USI to determining spastic BBM in stroke survivors. We performed USI in 8 healthy volunteers and 8 subjects with chronic post-stroke spasticity of the upper limb. BBM axial deformation was produced by external compression using a sandbag (1.0 kg) tied transducer [2]. Lengthening and shortening of BBM was generated by manual passive elbow extension (from 90° to 0°) and flexion (from 0° to 90°), respectively. We used offline 2-D speckle tracking to estimate axial strain (representing BBM stiffness) as well as lateral strain and tissue velocity (representing BBM dynamic displacement). ANOVA was used to assess statistically significant differences in USI between healthy controls and both non-spastic and spastic BBMs in stroke survivors. The Bonferroni correction was then applied to test the difference in the paired groups (healthy vs non-spastic; non-spastic vs spastic; and healthy vs non-spastic). We observed significant differences in USI parameters between healthy and spastic BBM, and between non-spastic and spastic BBM (all p <0.01). Our results suggest that USI seems to be feasible in determining chronic post-stroke spasticity of the BBM (MSA>1+).
Preying for Time

THE RECENT antitrust policy literature which seeks to define predatory pricing contains a flood of proposals which have "pervasively transformed an entire body of law". 1 One theme of this literature is that a readily anticipatable standard should be established, so that firms will not fear being sued for normal competitive responses; another is that, since predation is presumed to be rare, the standard should be lax so as to minimize the possibility of stifling competition in the overwhelming majority of more competitive markets. Perhaps the most striking feature of these arguments is the omission of any analysis of predatory behavior when business firms are sophisticated and "rational". McGee [I980, pp. 295-6], for example, points out that predation only pays if the present discounted value of future high prices exceeds the costs of suffering today's low prices. But if this is so for the monopolist, then why not for the competitor?