Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multifunctional Nature of the Arenavirus RING Finger Protein Z

Arenaviruses are a family of enveloped negative-stranded RNA viruses that can cause severe human disease ranging from encephalitis symptoms to fulminant hemorrhagic fever. The bi‑segmented RNA genome encodes four polypeptides: the nucleoprotein NP, the surface glycoprotein GP, the polymerase L, and the RING finger protein Z. Although it is the smallest arenavirus protein with a length of 90 to 99 amino acids and a molecular weight of approx. 11 kDa, the Z protein has multiple functions in the viral life cycle including (i) regulation of viral RNA synthesis, (ii) orchestration of viral assembly and budding, (iii) interaction with host cell proteins, and (iv) interferon antagonism. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the structural and functional role of the Z protein in the arenavirus replication cycle.
Clinical Utility of Serum Tumor Markers in the Diagnosis of Malignant Intestinal Occlusion. A Prospective Observational Study

Aim The aim of the present observational study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 72-4 in patients with bowel obstruction. Methods One-hundred three patients admitted to an emergency unit with clinical and radiological signs of intestinal occlusion of unknown origin were prospectively studied. Patients submitted to emergency surgery were excluded. All patients underwent standard diagnostic procedures and serological assay of tumor markers. Results Colorectal cancer was diagnosed in 22 patients (21.4%), while 81 patients (78.6%) presented a benign condition. The sensitivity of CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 72-4 for colorectal cancer was 36.4%, 31.8% and 9.1%, respectively. Marker specificity was 91.4%, 90.1% and 95.1%, respectively. The combination of CEA and CA 19–9 increased the sensitivity to 45.5% but decreased the specificity to 83.9%. The overall accuracy was 79.6%, 77.7% and 76.7%, respectively. All positive cancer cases had advanced disease. All patients with CEA levels >10 ng/mL or CA 19-9 >100 U/mL had colorectal cancer. Conclusions Even in a highly selected population, tumor marker sensitivity was rather low and specificity incomplete. However, elevated levels may guide the diagnostic and therapeutic course in patients with obstructing colorectal cancer.
Hamilton, New Zealand

The introduction of a casino into a community, as evidenced from a large number of studies undertaken over the years in different parts of the globe, suggests that casino business affects the community's social and economic structure. This research considers the case of the introduction of a casino into Hamilton, a city in New Zealand with a population of approximately 129,000. Based on 945 responses, it is of particular note that differences in views regarding the casino were evident between the two genders and between those who had patronized the casino and those who had not visited. The results indicate that women and nonvisitors were consistently more negative about the casino's effects on the community than were men and those who patronized the casino.
Amanitin Greatly Reduces the Rate of Transcription by RNA Polymerase II Ternary Complexes but Fails to Inhibit Some Transcript Cleavage Modes*

The toxin α-amanitin is frequently employed to completely block RNA synthesis by RNA polymerase II. However, we find that polymerase II ternary transcription complexes stalled by the absence of NTPs resume RNA synthesis when NTPs and amanitin are added. Chain elongation with amanitin can continue for hours at approximately 1% of the normal rate. Amanitin also greatly slows pyrophosphorolysis by elongation-competent complexes. Complexes which are arrested (that is, which have paused in transcription for long periods in the presence of excess NTPs) are essentially incapable of resuming transcription in the presence of α-amanitin. Complexes traversing sequences that can provoke arrest are much more likely to stop transcription in the presence of the toxin. The substitution of IMP for GMP at the 3′ end of the nascent RNA greatly increases the sensitivity of stalled transcription complexes to amanitin. Neither arrested nor stalled complexes display detectable SII-mediated transcript cleavage following amanitin treatment. However, arrested complexes possess a low level, intrinsic transcript cleavage activity which is completely amanitin-resistant; furthermore, pyrophosphorolytic transcript cleavage in arrested complexes is not affected by amanitin.
INFECTION SUCCESS IN NOVEL HOSTS: AN EXPERIMENTAL AND PHYLOGENETIC STUDY OF DROSOPHILA-PARASITIC NEMATODES

Abstract Surprisingly little is known about what determines a parasite's host range, which is essential in enabling us to predict the fate of novel infections. In this study, we evaluate the importance of both host and parasite phylogeny in determining the ability of parasites to infect novel host species. Using experimental lab assays, we infected 24 taxonomically diverse species of Drosophila flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae) with five different nematode species (Tylenchida: Allantonematidae: Howardula, Parasitylenchus), and measured parasite infection success, growth, and effects on female host fecundity (i.e., virulence). These nematodes are obligate parasites of mushroom-feeding Drosophila, particularly quinaria and testacea group species, often with severe fitness consequences on their hosts. We show that the potential host ranges of the nematodes are much larger than their actual ranges, even for parasites with only one known host species in nature. Novel hosts that are distantly related from the native host are much less likely to be infected, but among more closely related hosts, there is much variation in susceptibility. Potential host ranges differ greatly between the related parasite species. All nematode species that successfully infected novel hosts produced infective juveniles in these hosts. Most novel infections did not result in significant reductions in the fecundity of female hosts, with one exception: the host specialist Parasitylenchus nearcticus sterilized all quinaria group hosts, only one of which is a host in nature. The large potential host ranges of these parasites, in combination with the high potential for host colonization due to shared mushroom breeding sites, explain the widespread host switching observed in comparisons of nematode and Drosophila phylogenies.
Cloning and characterization of Bacillus subtilis iep, which has positive and negative effects on production of extracellular proteases

We have isolated a DNA fragment from Bacillus subtilis 168 which, when present in a high-copy plasmid, inhibited production of extracellular alkaline and neutral proteases. The gene responsible for this activity was referred to as iep. The open reading frame of iep was found to be incomplete in the cloned DNA fragment. When the intact iep gene was reconstructed after the missing part of the iep gene had been cloned, it showed an enhancing effect on the production of the extracellular proteases. The open reading frame encodes a polypeptide of 229 amino acids with a molecular weight of ca. 25,866. Deletion of two amino acids from the N-terminal half of the putative iep protein resulted in dual effects, i.e., a decrease in the inhibitory activity shown by the incomplete iep gene and a slight increase in the enhancing activity shown by the complete iep gene. These results show that the iep gene product is a bifunctional protein, containing inhibitory and enhancing activities for the exoprotease production in the N-terminal and C-terminal regions, respectively. It was found by genetic and functional analyses that iep lies very close to sacU.
Pregnancy outcome and long term prognosis in 868 children born after second trimester amniocentesis for maternal serum positive triple test screening and normal prenatal karyotype

Measurement of maternal serum alphafetoprotein (ms AFP), human chorionic gonadotrophin (ms hCG), and unconjugated oestriol (uE3) at the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy is a well established screening test for Down syndrome (trisomy 21). Previous studies have described the association of abnormal levels of ms AFP and ms hCG with a variety of problems and complications of pregnancy, such as preterm delivery, fetal growth retardation, and fetal death,1-5 and severe hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.6-10 Over the past years, we have noted in the genetic clinic that several children with syndromic and non-syndromic forms of MCA-MR were born after a pregnancy with a positive maternal serum triple screening test and a normal prenatal karyotype. Therefore, we decided to perform the present study and collected data on the pregnancy outcome and the physical and psychomotor development of 868 children born after second trimester amniocentesis for positive maternal serum triple screening test with a normal prenatal karyotype. We found a significantly increased incidence of complex multiple congenital anomalies syndromes (17, 1.95%) in the children. During the period from 1 January 1993 to 31 December 1995, 995 women had amniotic fluid analysed for aneuploidy based on a positive maternal serum triple test (trisomy 21 ⩾1/250). These samples were analysed at the Leuven Centre for Human Genetics and showed normal chromosome results and normal amniotic fluid AFP. Maternal serum triple tests and amniocenteses were performed in different centres. In October 1998, a questionnaire (available on request) was mailed to the 995 women with a list of questions about the outcome of pregnancy, the perinatal history, and the physical and psychomotor development of their children. A total of 870 patients (87.5%) answered the questionnaire. They gave birth to 868 children (864 singletons, six twin pregnancies, four spontaneous abortions, and four intrauterine deaths). …
Accelerated ROCK algorithm

ROCK is a popular algorithm to cluster categorical data due to its ingenious concept of links between them. The only issue with this method is time complexity. The procedure is inherently slow with maximum iterations N-k. This paper shows how properties of dataset can be utilized to reduce the total iterations by a factor of 10 or more. The reduction is much significant as the size of dataset grows. Thus, the proposed clustering algorithm is much faster and scalable than original ROCK. Instead of trading off runtime with accuracy, the performance is maintained with reduction in runtime in the proposed method.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE LIBYAN INVESTMENTS

This paper investigates the determinants of investment (expenditure on plant and equipment) in Libya using annual data over the period of 1970-2008. The importance of this study comes from the ability to show the relative important factors that impact the Libyan domestic investment. This understanding would give indications to decision makers on which policy they must focus to stimulate investment. An Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) modelling process is employed to investigate the impact of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Monetary Base (MB) and trade openness on domestic investment in Libya, Our results reveal that there is a equilibrium relationship between investment and its determinants. The results of this study indicate that GDP and monetary base largely explain the pattern of investment in Libya. A stability test suggested that the estimated parameters do not suffer from structural instability. The findings and recommendations provide vital information relevant for policy formulation and implementation aimed at improve investment in Libya.
Property valuation variation and the 'margin of error' in the UK

The paper aims to examine critically the margin of error principle currently used by the English courts as a test of negligence in valuations. In particular, it considers whether the 'bracket' of 10-15% which is routinely accepted by judges is justified by reference to existing empirical studies of valuation accuracy and variation. The paper traces the development, status and current operation of the margin of error principle through the case law, noting that the principle was originally put forward by valuers appearing as expert witnesses in negligence actions. It then reviews the previous empirical work on valuation accuracy and valuation variation, concluding that the latter is potentially of much greater relevance. The valuation variation analysis is extended to previously unpublished data, including the performance of expert witnesses themselves, where the paper identifies a striking contrast between the experts' assertions as to the size of 'error' which suggests negligence and the range of valuations actually put forward by the experts. The paper concludes that the margin of error principle, as it is presently applied by the English courts, is lacking in any empirical basis and indeed runs counter to the available evidence. Its use as a means of establishing negligence by a valuer is fundamentally flawed.
Decision Theory and Social Ethics Issues in Social Choice

1 / Philosophy and Ethical Principles. - Rule Utilitarianism and Decision Theory. - Marx and the Utility Approach to the Ethical Foundation of Microeconomics. - Endogenous Changes in Tastes: A Philosophical Discussion. - 2 / Social and Collective Choice Theory. - Nice Decision Schemes. - The Distribution of Rights in Society. - Acceptable Social Choice Lotteries. - Social Decision, Strategic Behavior, and Best Outcomes. - Cyclically Mixed Preferences-A Necessary and Sufficient Condition for Transitivity of the Social Preference Relation. - Comparative Distributive Ethics: An Extension of Sen's Examination of the Pure Distribution Problem. - Rawls's Theory of Justice: An Impossibility Result. - Arrow's Impossibility Theorem: Some New Aspects. - Two Proofs of the Gibbard-Satterthwaite Theorem on the Possibility of a Strategy-Proof Social Choice Function. - 3 / Special Topics in Social Choice. - Ethics, Institutions and Optimality. - Complexity and Social Decision Rules. - Discrete Optimization and Social Decision Methods. - The Equity Principle in Economic Behavior. - The Distributive Justice of Income Inequality. - Index of Names. - Index of Subjects.
Using a Semiparametric Estimator to Forecast Education Outcomes in Nicaragua's Red de Proteccion Social

This paper uses baseline data from the randomized experiment of the conditional cash transfer program - Red de Proteccion Social, Nicaragua to conduct an ex ante evaluation and compares results to those of the experimental evaluation. Reduced form estimation of a behavioural model using a health production framework forms the basis of the evaluation. A Klein and Spady semi-parametric single index model is used to predict unobserved outcomes under the treatment. The sample consists of children aged 7-13 who have not completed grade 4 of primary school. The evaluation shows that the ex ante approach closely matches the experimental outcomes in most cases. ex ante evaluation conditional cash transfers single index models education
Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Damage in Kidney Cells Exposed to the Mycotoxins Ochratoxin A and Citrinin: Individual and Combined Effects

ABSTRACT Ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CTN) are two mycotoxins, quite common contaminants, that can occur jointly in a wide range of food commodities. Both mycotoxins have several toxic effects but both share a significant nephrotoxic potential since OTA and CTN were reported to be responsible for naturally occurring human and animal kidney diseases. Considering the concomitant production of OTA and CTN, it is very likely that humans and animals are always exposed to the mixture rather than to individual compounds. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate, using kidney cell culture (Vero cells), whether cytotoxicity and essentially oxidative cell damage (a key determinant of renal diseases) are enhanced by combination of both mycotoxins as compared to their effect separately. To this end, we have assessed their effects individually or combined on cell proliferation using three different cell viability assays (MTT, Trypan Blue, and Neutral Red). In addition, the role of oxidative stress was investigated by measuring the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the expression of the heat shock protein Hsp 70. Our results clearly showed that cultured renal cells respond to OTA and CTN exposure by a moderate and weak inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of oxidative stress, respectively. However, when combined, they exert a significant increase in inhibition of cell viability as well as the induction of MDA level and Hsp 70 expression. OTA and CTN combination effects are clearly of synergistic nature. The enhanced induction of oxidative stress observed with OTA and CTN simultaneously could be relevant to explain the molecular basis of the renal diseases induced by these mycotoxins.
Coupling between charge movement and pore opening in vertebrate neuronal alpha 1E calcium channels.

1. Neuronal alpha 1E Ca2+ channels were expressed alone and in combination with the beta 2a subunit in Xenopus laevis oocytes. 2. The properties of ionic and gating currents of alpha 1E were investigated: ionic currents were measured in 10 mM external Ba2+; gating currents were isolated in 2 mM external Co2+. 3. Charge movement preceded channel opening. The charge movement voltage curve (Q(V)) preceded the ionic conductance voltage dependence (G(V)) by approximately 20 mV. 4. Coexpression of alpha 1E with the beta 2a subunit did not modify the voltage dependence of charge movement but shifted the G(V) curve to more negative potentials. The voltage gap between Q(V) and G(V) curves was reduced by the beta 2a subunit and both curves overlapped at potentials near 0 mV. 5. The coupling efficiency between the charge movement and pore opening was estimated by the ration between limiting conductance and maximum charge movement (Gmax/Qmax). Coexpression of the beta 2a subunit increased the Gmax/Qmax ratio from 9.2 x 10(5) +/‐ 1.4 x 10(5) to 21.9 x 10(5) +/‐ 2.8 X 10(5) S C‐1 for alpha 1E and alpha 1E + beta 2a, respectively. 6. We conclude that in the neuronal alpha 1E the charge movement is tightly coupled with the pore opening and that the beta 2a subunit coexpression further improves this coupling.
Cognitive Abilities and Portfolio Choice

We study the relation between cognitive abilities and stockholding using the recent Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), which has detailed data on wealth and portfolio composition of individuals aged 50+ in 11 European countries and three indicators of cognitive abilities: mathematical, verbal fluency, and recall skills. We find that the propensity to invest in stocks is strongly associated with cognitive abilities, for both direct stock market participation and indirect participation through mutual funds and retirement accounts. Since the decision to invest in less information-intensive assets (such as bonds) is less strongly related to cognitive abilities, we conclude that the association between cognitive abilities and stockholding is driven by information constraints, rather than by features of preferences or psychological traits.
The relationship between spontaneous and stimulus-correlated electrodermal responses in simple and discriminative conditioning paradigms.

The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between skin conductance fluctuations (SF) and skin conductance conditioning with designs permitting conclusions regarding both reactivity and conditioning. In the first experiment, involving simple delayed conditioning with a tone CS, a shock UCS, and an 8-sec ISI, groups high and low in SF during conditioning and sensitization were formed. Spontaneous fluctuations predicted magnitude of CS, pre-UCS, post-UCS, and unconditioned responses. Overall conditioning was significant only for the pre-UCS response, and for this measure the high SF group showed better conditioning than the low SF group. The second experiment involved discrimination training to pitch with shock UCS and an 8-sec ISI. Groups high, medium, and low in SF during conditioning were selected. Again, SF predicted magnitude of all response components. Reliable conditioning and significant relationship to SF was observed for CS, pre-UCS, and post-UCS responses. It was concluded that SF is related to both skin conductance reactivity and skin conductance conditioning.
An Empirical Analysis of Illegal Insider Trading

Whether insider trading affects stock prices is central to both the current debate over whether insider trading is harmful or pervasive, and to the broader public policy issue of how best to regulate securities markets. Using previously unexplored data on illegal insider trading from the Securities and Exchange Commission, this paper finds that the stock market detects the possibility of informed trading and impounds this information into the stock price. Specifically, the abnormal return on an insider trading day averages 3 percent, and almost half of the pre-announcement stock price run-up observed before takeovers occurs on insider trading days. Both the amount traded by the insider and additional trade-specific characteristics lead to the market's recognition of the informed trading. Copyright 1992 by American Finance Association.
Changing Patterns of Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis and Septic Arthritis: Emergence of Community-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Introduction: An increase in the incidence and severity of acute osteoarticular infections in children was perceived after the emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in our community. This study was performed to describe changes in the epidemiology and clinical features of acute osteoarticular infections. Methods: The records of patients discharged from Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center with a diagnosis of acute osteoarticular infection between 2000 and 2004 were reviewed. Data regarding signs and symptoms, diagnostic testing, therapeutics, surgery, and hospital course were collected. Results: There were 158 cases of acute osteoarticular infection. The incidence increased from 2.6 to 6.0 per 1000 admissions between 2000 and 2004. The proportion of infections caused by methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) remained constant (10%-13%) and that caused by MRSA rose from 4% to 40%. There was no difference between MRSA and MSSA patients in the duration of fever or pain before diagnosis. Seventy-one percent of patients with MRSA had subperiosteal abscesses compared with 38% with MSSA (P = 0.02). Ninety-one percent of MRSA patients required a surgical procedure compared with 62% of MSSA patients (P < 0.001). Median hospital stay was 7 days for MSSA patients and 10 days for MRSA patients (P = 0.0001). Three patients developed chronic osteomyelitis, 2 with MRSA. There was no association between a delay in institution of appropriate antibiotic therapy and presence of subperiosteal abscess (P = 0.8). Conclusions: There has been an increase in the incidence and severity of acute osteoarticular infections in Memphis. Patients with community-associated MRSA infections are at higher risk of subperiosteal abscess requiring surgical intervention.
Returns to endogenous education: the case of Honduras

The rapid expansion of the education sector in developing countries and the scarcity of public funds have increased the need for an accurate evaluation of educational policies. Estimates of rates of return to education have often been used as an integral part of cost-benefit studies and programme evaluation efforts. This study uses household survey data from Honduras for 1990 to estimate returns to education that allow for worker heterogeneity and individual self-selection in the education process. A sequential estimation procedure is used that enables study of the interaction between educational attainment and earnings determination. It is found that accounting for endogenous educational attainment leads to substantially higher estimated returns to education (compared to traditional least squares estimates). The possible magnitude of the bias underscores the importance of recognizing the role of self-selection and comparative advantage in the education process.