Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel scheme to evaluate a venture business quantitatively and support decision making for incubator by combining discounted cash flow and Bass model

Although the evaluation of a value of venture business is very difficult because of its high uncertainty, incubator should evaluate the valid value of the ventures business and make a decision on allocating its resources adequately to support them effectively. A new scheme is proposed to evaluate a value and risk of venture business based on the very limited information from their business plan to support decision making quantitatively. Timing and a share of capital return at the initial public offering of the venture, licensing fee and so on can be determined by using this scheme. Future sales with business life cycle are forecasted from their business plan by applying Bass model. The validity of the scheme is verified by using the dataset of past sales of products. The present value of the venture is evaluated by discounted cash flow. The value should be reviewed by using actual sales data after the business starts. The scheme is tried to apply to a simple case study and the potential is shown to support decision making under limited information.
The interplexiform–horizontal cell system of the fish retina: effects of dopamine, light stimulation and time in the dark

Interplexiform cells contact cone horizontal cells in the fish retina and probably release dopamine at synaptic sites. The effects of dopamine, certain related compounds, and light and dark régimes were tested on the intracellularly recorded activity of horizontal cells in the superfused carp retina to elucidate the functional role of the interplexiform cell. Dopamine application onto retinae kept in the dark for 30–40 min increased the size of the responses of cone horizontal cells to small-spot stimuli but decreased response size to large- and full-field stimuli. Dopamine also altered the response waveform of these cells; the transient at response onset increased in size and the depolarizing afterpotential decreased in size. Haloperidol, a dopamine antagonist, blocked these effects of dopamine application. Forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, increased the size of the responses of the cells to small-spot stimuli. Superfusion of vasoactive intestinal peptide did not produce any effects on horizontal cells. The results indicate that dopamine produces multiple physiological effects on cone horizontal cells by activation of an intracellular enzyme system. We propose that some of these effects are probably related to an uncoupling of the gap junctions between horizontal cells, but that other effects are most likely not explained on this basis and reflect additional changes induced in the cells by dopamine. After prolonged periods of darkness (100–110 min), compared with short periods (30–40 min), L-type cone horizontal cells exhibited responses similar to those obtained during dopamine application. Dim flickering or continuous light backgrounds did not mimic the effects of dopamine. Although dopamine application onto retinae after short-term darkness produced dramatic effects on L-type cone horizontal cells, little or no effect was observed when dopamine was applied while the effects of a previous dopamine application were still present or after prolonged darkness. These results suggest that interplexiform cells may release dopamine after prolonged darkness and that interplexiform cells may regulate lateral inhibitory effects mediated by L-type cone horizontal cells as a function of time in the dark.
On comparing cost of living of cities using expatriate price survey

ABSTRACT Commercial cost of living indexes, which are nominal Laspeyres price indexes derived from expatriate price surveys, are increasingly used in policy debate. However, these indexes contain two systematic errors – (1) using nominal exchange rate, instead of the purchasing power parity equivalent, cause upward biases in high income cities and (2) using a fixed basket causes upward biases in cities with different consumption pattern – that make them unfit for the purpose of policy debate if the errors are serious enough. Using a real Fisher index corrects these systemic errors. We showed high congruence in pair-wise comparison between these two indexes, but substantial differences in ranking arising from the systematic errors. Commercial indexes are useful for designing expatriate compensation, but we need a real Fisher index to calculate and rank the cost of living among cities.
Hardware-efﬁcient folded SC polar decoder based on k-segment decomposition

In this paper, a hardware-efﬁcient folded SC polar decoder based on k-segment decomposition is ﬁrst proposed. The proposed k-segment scheme employs (k – 1) N1/k-bit decoders to implement the original N-bit decoder, and reduces the number of mixed-nodes from (N – 1) to (k ă 1)( N1/k – 1) with slightly increased latency. In addition, pipelining technique, partial parallel processing, and pre-computation are employed to reﬁne the timing issue resulting from folding scheme. Meanwhile, the hardware utilization ratio (HUR) of processing elements (PEs) is drastically increased. Both SC decoders with (N = 8,k = 3) and (N = 1024,k = 2) are implemented with Altera Stratix V FPGA. The former one requires only 13.46% ALMs and 10.66% register compared to the k = 1 scheme at the cost of slightly increased latency. The latter one consumes only 55.86% ALMs compared to the k = 1 scheme. Thus, the proposed k-segment decoder is suitable for scenarios requiring high-HUR.
NONFUNCTIONAL OVERREACHING DURING OFF‐SEASON TRAINING FOR SKILL POSITION PLAYERS IN COLLEGIATE AMERICAN FOOTBALL

The purpose of this study was to determine the performance and hormonal responses to a 15-week off-season training program for American football. Nine skill position players from a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I-A football team participated as subjects in this study. Following 4 weeks of weight training (phase I), subjects performed weight training concurrently with high-volume conditioning drills (phase II). Phase III consisted of 15 spring football practice sessions executed over a 30-day period. Performance and hormonal changes were assessed prior to phase I, and following phases I, II, and III. Maximal strength was significantly increased (p > 0.05) for all strength tests during phase I. Squat and power clean values decreased following phase II (p > 0.05), with all values returning to baseline upon completion of phase III. Sprinting speed significantly worsened during phase I (p > 0.05), but then returned to baseline during phase III. Vertical jump and agility improved during phase I (p > 0.05), with vertical jump remaining unchanged for the duration of the study and agility returning to baseline following phase II. Testosterone levels decreased during phase II (p > 0.05) prior to returning to baseline levels during phase III. Cortisol and the testosterone/cortisol ratio remained unchanged during the course of the investigation. Even though overtraining did not occur in the current investigation, a significant maladaptation in performance did occur subsequent to phase II. For this particular athletic population, a strength and conditioning program utilizing a reduced training volume-load may prove more effective for improving performance in the future.
Hypophosphorylation of Mdm2 Augments p53 Stability

ABSTRACT The Mdm2 protein mediates ubiquitylation and degradation of p53 and is a key regulator of this tumor suppressor. More recently, it has been shown that Mdm2 is highly phosphorylated within its central acidic domain. In order to address the issue of how these modifications might regulate Mdm2 function, putative phosphorylation sites within this domain were substituted, individually or in pairs, with alanine residues. Mutants with serine-to-alanine substitutions between residues 244 and 260 abolished or at least reduced the capacity of Mdm2 to promote p53 degradation. In each case, loss of degradation function was independent of the ability to bind to p53 or p14ARF. Moreover, each of the Mdm2 mutants completely retained the capacity to act as a ubiquitin ligase in vivo. Thus, ubiquitylation and degradation can be uncoupled. Two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping coupled with the use of phospho-specific antibodies revealed that Mdm2 is phosphorylated physiologically at several sites within this region, consistent with the idea that phosphorylation is important for Mdm2 activity. Strikingly, treatment of cells with ionizing radiation resulted in a significant decrease in the phosphorylation of residues that are important for p53 turnover. This hypophosphorylation preceded p53 accumulation. These findings indicate that Mdm2 contributes an additional function toward the degradation of p53 that is distinct from its ubiquitin ligase activity and is regulated by phosphorylation. Our model suggests that hypophosphorylation of Mdm2 in response to ionizing irradiation inactivates this novel function, thereby contributing to p53 stabilization.
Seller-Paid Concessions from 2004-2012: Implications for House Selling Price and Days on the Market

Previous research has examined the extent to which seller-paid concessions (SPCs) are capitalized in house selling prices. Most of these studies are limited to regular, non-foreclosed property sales and non-distressed time periods. This study examines foreclosed and non-foreclosed housing selling prices and DOM from Q1:2004-Q1:2012, the years surrounding the 2008-09 housing debacle. The findings suggest that SPCs are fully capitalized into the net selling price of non-foreclosed properties but a 6.7% - 15.0% price premium occurs for foreclosed property prices. In addition, non-foreclosed transactions with SPCs have up to 19.5% longer days on the market (DOM) during this time period. The effect of SPCs on price and DOM vary before and after the housing debacle. This finding supports a growing literature indicating that abrupt changes in economic conditions influence price premiums and discounts through adjustments in magnitude of the underlying explanatory variables.
Relationships between Fiber Composition and NMR Measurements in Human Skeletal Muscle

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between the relative contents of phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi), β‐adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and transverse relaxation time (T2) with fiber composition, which determined histochemically in the human skeletal muscle. The vastus lateralis muscles of 28 volunteers were subjected to phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance (31P NMR) spectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and muscle biopsy. Muscle fibers were divided into type I and type II fibers using myosin ATPase stain. A wide range of fiber composition levels were observed in the subjects (27.3–74.6% type I fibers). The PCr/ATP, Pi/ATP and (PCr+Pi)/ATP ratios were positively related to the percentage of type II fibers (r=0.695, p<0.001, r=0.429, p<0.05 and r=0.773, p<0.001, respectively). There was no correlation between fiber composition and the PCr/Pi ratio (r 0.127, n.s.) or intracellular pH (r=0.305, n.s.). Moreover, no correlation was found between T2 and fiber type (r=0.144, n.s.). These results suggest that 31P NMR can detect the differences in relative content of phosphates between type I and type II fibers, thereby noninvasively evaluating fiber composition in human skeletal muscle.
Evidence that P‐TEFb alleviates the negative effect of DSIF on RNA polymerase II‐dependent transcription in vitro

Recently, a positive and a negative elongation factor, implicated in 5,6‐dichloro‐1‐β‐D‐ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB) inhibition of transcription elongation, has been identified. P‐TEFb is a positive transcription elongation factor and the DRB‐sensitive kinase that phosphorylates the C‐terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (Pol II). PITALRE, a member of the Cdc2 family of protein kinases, is the catalytic subunit of P‐TEFb. DSIF is a human homolog of the yeast Spt4‐Spt5 complex and renders elongation of transcription sensitive to DRB. DRB sensitivity‐inducing factor (DSIF) binds to RNA Pol II and may directly regulate elongation. Here we show a functional interaction between P‐TEFb and DSIF. The reduction of P‐TEFb activity induced by either DRB, antibody against PITALRE, or immunodepletion resulted in a negative effect of DSIF on transcription. DSIF acts at an early phase of elongation, and the prior action of P‐TEFb makes transcription resistant to DSIF. The state of phosphorylation of CTD determines the DSIF‐RNA Pol II interaction, and may provide a direct link between P‐TEFb and DSIF. Taken together, this study reveals a molecular basis for DRB action and suggests that P‐TEFb stimulates elongation by alleviating the negative action of DSIF.
Auxin-Mediated Ribosomal Biogenesis Regulates Vacuolar Trafficking in Arabidopsis[W]

This study describes the function of RPL4A, a ribosomal protein. It finds a link between ribosomal biogenesis and vacuolar protein sorting and provides insights into the auxin-mediated regulation of vacuolar trafficking in metabolically active tissues. In plants, the mechanisms that regulate the transit of vacuolar soluble proteins containing C-terminal and N-terminal vacuolar sorting determinants (VSDs) to the vacuole are largely unknown. In a screen for Arabidopsis thaliana mutants affected in the trafficking of C-terminal VSD containing proteins, we isolated the ribosomal biogenesis mutant rpl4a characterized by its partial secretion of vacuolar targeted proteins and a plethora of developmental phenotypes derived from its aberrant auxin responses. In this study, we show that ribosomal biogenesis can be directly regulated by auxins and that the exogenous application of auxins to wild-type plants results in vacuolar trafficking defects similar to those observed in rpl4a mutants. We propose that the influence of auxin on ribosomal biogenesis acts as a regulatory mechanism for auxin-mediated developmental processes, and we demonstrate the involvement of this regulatory mechanism in the sorting of vacuolar targeted proteins in Arabidopsis.
Association between overall fruit and vegetable intake, and fruit and vegetable sub-types and blood pressure: the PRIME study

Increased fruit and vegetable (FV) intake is associated with reduced blood pressure. However, it is not clear whether the effect of FV on blood pressure depends on the type of FV consumed. Furthermore, there is limited research regarding the comparative effect of juices or whole FV on blood pressure. Baseline data from a prospective cohort study examined the cross-sectional association between total FV intake, but also specific types of FV and blood pressure in France and Northern Ireland. A total of 01001 men aged 50–59 years were recruited from 1991 to 1994. Blood pressure was measured in a clinic setting, and dietary intake was assessed by food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). After adjusting for potential confounders, both systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were significantly inversely associated with total fruit, vegetable and fruit juice intake however when results were examined according to the sub-type of fruit or vegetable (citrus fruit, other fruit, fruit juices, cooked vegetables and raw vegetables), only the other fruit and raw vegetable categories were consistently associated with reduced SBP and DBP. In relation to the risk of hypertension based on systolic blood pressure >140 mmHg, the odds ratio for total fruit, vegetable and fruit juice intake (per fourth) was 0.95 (95 % CI 0.91, 1.00), with the same estimates being 0.98 (CI % 0.94, 1.02) for citrus fruit intake (per fourth), 1.02 (CI % 0.98, 1.06) for fruit juice intake (per fourth), 0.93 (CI % 0.89, 0.98) for other fruit intake (per fourth), 1.05 (CI % 0.99, 1.10) for cooked vegetable intake (per fourth) and 0.86 (CI % 0.80, 0.91) for raw vegetable intake (per fourth). Similar results were obtained for DBP. In conclusion, a high overall intake of fruit, vegetables and fruit juice was inversely associated with SBP and DBP and risk of hypertension, but that this association differs by FV sub-type, suggesting that the strength of the association between these FV sub-types and blood pressure might be related to the type consumed, or to processing or cooking-related factors. D ow nladed fom hts://w w w am bridorg/core . Q uen's U nirsity Blfast , on 12 M ay 2020 at 1110:33 , suject to he am bidge Core term s of use, avilable at hts://w w w am bridgeg/core/term s . https://doi.org7/S0007114520001518
[Effect of disinfectants on surface hydrophobicity and mobility in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium DT104].

The paper evaluated antibacterial efficacy of 12 disinfectants on the basis of quaternary ammonium compounds (KAZ) on the isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium of the definitive phage type 104 (DT104). One isolate--5551/99--represented the multiresistant phenotype, resistant to ampicillin (A), chloramphenicol (C), streptomycin (S), and tetracycline (T). The second isolate--577/99--was sensitive to all antibiotics tested. The present study further examined the capability of sub-MIC concentrations of disinfectants to intervene into surface hydrophobicity and motility of the strains tested. The results showed that all disinfectants under study exhibited high antibacterial activity. It is of interest that the isolate resistant to antibiotics was more sensitive to disinfectants in comparison with the isolate resistant to antibiotics. The most effective substances against strain 5551/99 (R-type) were Sokrena, Triquart, Hexaquart plus, ID213, and Microbac forte, and those most effective against strain 577/99 (S-type) were Benzalkonium chloride and Hexaquart plus (MIC 0.09-0.19 microliter/ml). Surface hydrophobicity of both tested strains after the action of sub-MIC (1/16, 1/8, 1/4 of MIC) of disinfectants was not influenced in a more marked way. In the case of strain 5551/99, the highest percentage of inhibition of adherence to xylene, to 69.5% versus the control, was produced by 1/4 of MIC of the substance Triquart and, in the whole concentration range, by the substance Microbac forte. After the action of most substances to strain 577/99, stimulation of adherence took place. Only substance ID213 induced inhibition of adherence in the whole concentration range. The salt-aggregative capabilities of both strains were not influenced in a more marked way. The only exceptions were the action of 1/4 of MIC of the substances Cetrimid, Sokrena, ID212, Forten, and 1/8 of MIC of Hexaquart S on strain 577/99, where a decrease in hydrophobicity was observed. A moderate inhibition of motility was found after the action of 1/4 of MIC of Benzalkonium chloride (to 87.5%) and A.D.L. 007 (to 85.2%) on strain 5551/99. In the case of sensitive isolate 577/99, the most markedly manifested inhibition effect was that of Sokrena within the whole concentration range and that of 1/4 of MIC ID213. The results can be used in the selection of a suitable disinfectant for decontamination of solid surfaces. The effect of substances under study on surface hydrophobicity and motility of the important, food-transferred pathogen in the sense of inhibition or stimulation points out to intervention into its pathogenic potential.
A general review of parasitic Annelida ( Hirudinea ) recorded from diff erent habitats and hosts in Turkey

To date, parasitic leech species have not been intensively studied in Turkey, and studies on the leeches of Turkey have concentrated primarily on lakes. According to literature data, a total of 13 parasitic leech species (3 species from marine fi sh, 8 species from freshwater fi sh, 1 species from brackish water fi sh, and 1 species from aquarium fi sh) have been recorded in diff erent parts of Turkey. Interest in this group has increased during the last 2 decades, but a large part of the Turkish freshwater habitats remains to be studied with regard to the parasitic leech species. In this study, information is given on the distribution of the leech species that have been previously recorded. Th e collected data show that the freshwater parasitic leech fauna of Turkey is composed of cosmopolitan or widely distributed species.
Longitudinal Molecular Epidemiological Study of Thermophilic Campylobacters on One Conventional Broiler Chicken Farm

ABSTRACT Improved understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of Campylobacter in the poultry farm environment is key to developing appropriate farm-based strategies for preventing flock colonization. The sources of Campylobacter causing broiler flock colonization were investigated on one poultry farm and its environment, from which samples were obtained on three occasions during each of 15 crop cycles. The farm was adjacent to a dairy farm, with which there was a shared concreted area and secondary entrance. There was considerable variation in the Campylobacter status of flocks at the various sampling times, at median ages of 20, 26, and 35 days, with 3 of the 15 flocks remaining negative at slaughter. Campylobacters were recoverable from various locations around the farm, even while the flock was Campylobacter negative, but the degree of environmental contamination increased substantially once the flock was positive. Molecular typing showed that strains from house surroundings and the dairy farm were similar to those subsequently detected in the flock and that several strains intermittently persisted through multiple crop cycles. The longitudinal nature of the study suggested that bovine fecal Campylobacter strains, initially recovered from the dairy yard, may subsequently colonize poultry. One such strain, despite being repeatedly recovered from the dairy areas, failed to colonize the concomitant flock during later crop cycles. The possibility of host adaptation of this strain was investigated with 16-day-old chickens experimentally exposed to this strain naturally present in, or spiked into, bovine feces. Although the birds became colonized by this infection model, the strain may preferentially infect cattle. The presence of Campylobacter genotypes in the external environment of the poultry farm, prior to their detection in broiler chickens, confirms the horizontal transmission of these bacteria into the flock and highlights the risk from multispecies farms.
Familial Hemiplegic Migraine: A Clinical Comparison of Families Linked and Unlinked to Chromosome 19

We compared the clinical characteristics of 50 patients from three unrelated families with familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) linked to chromosome 19, with those of 20 patients from two families with FHM not linked to chromosome 19. We found no significant differences for age at onset, frequency and duration of attacks, duration of the paresis, and occurrence of basilar migraine symptoms. In the linked families, significantly more patients reported unconsciousness during attacks (39%, vs 15%; p<0.05) and provocation of attacks by mild head trauma (70% vs 40%; p< 0.05). In one linked family patients also displayed chronic progressive cerebellar ataxia, whereas in one unlinked family benign infantile convulsions occurred in addition to FHM. Interestingly, so far an association with cerebellar ataxia was only described in chromosome 19-linked families. FHM linked to chromosome 19 and FHM unlinked to chromosome 19 do not differ with respect to clinical features.