Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of RNA genomes of mouse hepatitis viruses

The RNA genomes of various murine hepatitis virus (MHV) strains were studied by T1-oligonucleotide fingerprinting analysis with regard to their structure and sequence relationship. It was found that the MHV particles contained only positive-stranded 60S RNA which had a "cap" structure at its 5' end. No negative-stranded RNA was found. It was also shown that most of the MHV strains had diverged quite extensively in their genetic sequences. However, MHV-3, a hepatotropic strain, and A59, a nonpathogenic strain, were found to have very similar oligonucleotide fingerprinting patterns. Yet, each of them contained two to four specific oligonucleotides. The MHV-3-specific oligonucleotides were conserved in almost all of the hepatotropic MHV strains studied. In contrast, two of the A59-specific oligonucleotides were absent from the genomes of all hepatotropic strains. These findings suggest that these unique oligonucleotides might be localized at the genetic region(s) associated with viral pathogenicity or other biological properties of the virus. Comparison of viral structural proteins also suggests that MHV-3 and A59 are more closely related than other MHV strains. The significance of these findings is discussed.
Symptom validity testing in memory clinics: Hippocampal-memory associations and relevance for diagnosing mild cognitive impairment

Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) do not always convert to dementia. In such cases, abnormal neuropsychological test results may not validly reflect cognitive symptoms due to brain disease, and the usual brain–behavior relationships may be absent. This study examined symptom validity in a memory clinic sample and its effect on the associations between hippocampal volume and memory performance. Eleven of 170 consecutive patients (6.5%; 13% of patients younger than 65 years) referred to memory clinics showed noncredible performance on symptom validity tests (SVTs, viz. Word Memory Test and Test of Memory Malingering). They were compared to a demographically matched group (n = 57) selected from the remaining patients. Hippocampal volume, measured by an automated volumetric method (Freesurfer), was correlated with scores on six verbal memory tests. The median correlation was r = . 49 in the matched group. However, the relation was absent (median r = −.11) in patients who failed SVTs. Memory clinic samples may include patients who show noncredible performance, which invalidates their MCI diagnosis. This underscores the importance of applying SVTs in evaluating patients with cognitive complaints that may signify a predementia stage, especially when these patients are relatively young.
Sectoral and spatial linkages in the EC production structure

This paper provides a description of the interdependencies in the production structure of the European Community (EC). For the measurement of these interdependencies, a new variant of the hypothetical extraction method is introduced. In contrast to earlier adaptations of this method, our approach allows for a natural distinction of the interdependencies into backward and forward linkages. The empirical results are based on the 1980 intercountry input-output table for seven countries of the EC. The nature of this type of data (viz. country-specific sectors) enables us to focus on the sectoral as well as the spatial dimension of the interdependencies.
An Ultra Low Power Baseband Transceiver IC for Wireless Body Area Network in 0.18-$\mu$ m CMOS Technology

This paper investigates the efficient design of the PHY layer architecture for wireless body area networks (WBAN), which targets on ultra-low power consumption with reliable quality of service (QoS). A low cost baseband transceiver specification and a data processing flow are proposed with a comparatively low-complexity control state machine. A multifunctional digital timing synchronization scheme is also proposed, which can achieve packet synchronization and data recovery. The proposed baseband transceiver is fabricated in an 0.18- μm CMOS process. With a 1.1 V supply and 4 MHz system clock, this baseband chip only consumes 34 μW in transmitter (TX) mode and 39.6 μW in receiver (RX) mode. To demonstrate and to optimize the reliability of the proposed design, the dedicated bit-error-rate and packet-error-rate analysis is reported.
Algorithmic Labor and Information Asymmetries: A Case Study of Uber’s Drivers

Uber manages a large, disaggregated workforce through its ridehail platform, one that delivers a relatively standardized experience to passengers while simultaneously promoting its drivers as entrepreneurs whose work is characterized by freedom, flexibility, and independence. Through a nine-month empirical study of Uber driver experiences, we found that Uber does leverage significant indirect control over how drivers do their jobs. Our conclusions are twofold: First, the information and power asymmetries produced by the Uber application are fundamental to its ability to structure control over its workers; second, the rhetorical invocations of digital technology and algorithms are used to structure asymmetric corporate relationships to labor, which favor the former. Our study of the Uber driver experience points to the need for greater attention to the role of platform disintermediation in shaping power relations and communications between employers and workers.
INFORMATION SOCIETY: CONTENT, MANIFESTATION, SOCIOECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

Information Society represents a new stage of human civilization, a new way of life of superior quality involving intensive use of information in all spheres of human existence and activity, with a major economic and social impact. Technological advances in the last decades allowed the emergence of new multimedia services and telematics applications. The development of new means of communication and information technology is an important factor in increasing economic competitiveness, opening new perspectives for a better organization of work and to create new jobs. Also, it opens new perspectives for the modernization of public services, healthcare, environmental management and new ways of communication between public administration and citizens. Also, with new technology, broad access to education and culture can be achieved for all social groups regardless of age or geographic location. This paper presents some general characteristics of Information Society, some forms of information and communication technologies (ICT) and their socioeconomic impacts.
Differentiating the new rheumatoid arthritis biologic therapies.

Current understanding of the mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has led to the development of therapies involving biologic agents that target specific mediators of the disease process. Although the biologic agents used to treat RA share the ability to alter the cytokine cascade, they differ in ways that are clinically important. For example, they vary with regard to how they block cytokine activity (ie, as receptors, as receptor blockers, or as anticytokine antibodies) and the particular cytokine they target (eg, tumor necrosis factor [TNF] versus interleukin-1). Biologic therapies for RA also differ in mode of administration. Several are administered subcutaneously, whereas others are given intravenously. They also have molecular dissimilarities that result in differences in pharmacokinetics (ie, long versus medium half-life) and that may influence their safety profiles.Some biologic agents, such as the TNF inhibitors etanercept and infliximab, have been rigorously examined for long-term safety and efficacy, whereas other agents, like the TNF inhibitor adalimumab, have not. Differences between the various biologic agents may relate to the usefulness of each individual drug as a long-term treatment in RA. For example, the need for physician visits may impact the practicality of drugs that are administered intravenously. Also, physicians should be aware that use of cytokine inhibitors increases the risk of infection. The prevalence of tuberculosis during therapy with infliximab exceeds the background rate in patients with RA. Accordingly, physicians should be familiar with the updated warnings in the package inserts that accompany these drugs.
The Reluctance of Federal Managers to Utilize Formal Procedures for Poorly-Performing Employees

Since the enactment in 1978 of a new procedure to improve the administration of poor performers in the federal work force, the Crane Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center has not removed or demoted anyone for poor performance. The reasons behind this failure include both conditions present throughout the federal government, and unique Crane Division cultural influences which combine to result in an organizational inability to execute performance-based actions
Are Middle Eastern Current Account Imbalances Excessive?

Employing a dynamic panel regression, this study estimates the medium-term current account position for three subgroups of emerging market and developing countries with shared economic characteristics. The fundamental determinants of the macroeconomic balance approach to current account determination (arising from the IMF’s Consultative Group on Exchange Rate (CGER)) are augmented by determinants relevant to Middle Eastern economies’ current account positions. The study also assesses the deviation of the actual medium-term current account position of three Middle Eastern subgroups of countries (emerging markets; low-income and fragile economies; and net oil exporters) from their medium-term current account norms. Key findings are that: augmentation of the fundamental determinants yields plausible Middle Eastern current account norms; and in comparison with the medium-term current account norm, the actual and projected current account imbalances of each of the three subgroups are typically not excessive.
Behind the Stars

The Michelin star system in Europe is the best-known and most respected ranking system for high-quality or haute cuisine restaurants. This study examines Michelin’s grading procedures and how chefs and restaurateurs perceive the ranking system and the Michelin awards. The study surveyed chefs in thirty-six restaurants ranked as having two or three Michelin stars over the period of ten years in France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. The chefs identified the following key factors that attributed to the success of their restaurants: investment and investment types, sources of financing, pursuit of excellence, and culinary craftsmanship involved. While the Michelin star chefs were tremendously successful as culinary artisans, this study revealed that the financial success of the Michelin star-rated restaurants was far more heterogeneous.
Benefits of Inner Strength for Franchise System Expansion

For every franchise system, making the leap from the unknown to the common place requires a strategic plan for growth. The exogenous market perspective holds that evaluating market conditions is central to defining promising outlet locations as there are direct economic effects on performance. The endogenous firm perspective and the social network approach together provide an inner strength perspective on interconnected firms; this perspective holds that access to resources offered at a certain spot determines site attractiveness, rather than location-specific market factors. Using a sample of 201 German franchisees, this study tests hypotheses that explore which perspective dominates location decisions in practice and clarify the relevance of the decisive criteria for outlet performance. Results show that location decisions rely on both perspectives, yet franchisee performance depends more on inner strength factors. We also find that expansion is better served by following a geographically dispersed cluster approach than by growing steadily from a baseline site.
Ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change: What scope for payments for environmental services?

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in payments for environmental services (PES) for ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA). So far, however, experiences and theoretical analyses of PES specifically for adaptation have not been well documented. This paper addresses this gap by analysing the opportunities and constraints of PES as an instrument for EBA. Specifically, we examine the potential for PES to address key elements for adaptation by focusing on three pathways: the user side, the provider side and institutional and societal change. In addition, we assess whether PES fulfils key requirements for adaptation policy instruments, notably effectiveness, efficiency, equity and legitimacy. We find that PES are not a panacea for all environmental services and country contexts, but can be promising adaptation policy instruments where certain preconditions are met and synergies prevail. We conclude on four points especially relevant for the practical scope for PES-adaptation synergies: (i) natural adaptation co-benefits (where the targeted environmental service serves a dual function, e.g. secured water quality and increased adaptive capacity), (ii) piggy-backing (where adaptation benefits are coincidental outcomes), (iii) adaptation-relevant institutional and sectoral spillovers from PES schemes, and (iv) direct payments for adaptation benefits.
COLD ACETONE FIXATION FOR ENZYME LOCALIZATION IN FROZEN SECTIONS

S(’(tiOI1 . I fl OUI (‘Xj)( 1 ifl1Pl1tS ‘ V(’ had ifl(Ul)tttP(l serial seCtiOflS, (ut at al)out S . in tlw Pearse (rvostat, unfixed, after fixation in (01(1 acetone (2#{176}( , 2 (hanges, I 5 n inutes total) , tuid after (1)1(1 fori ol-calciun fixation ( I ) (20(1, 2 (Ilanges, IS nli! IUtes total) \1))iIR)l)el)ti(lt15P tl(tiVitV :is (l( I)1O115tf9t( (l t1((or(ling to the IIlPtliO(l of Burstone aiul Folk (3) using a lanyl -f3-fl1 )l1thyIauT1i(le as sul)strate and fast garnet GBC as tOU )liflg agent. After a(etone hXatiOul , unarke I :utivitv is readi lv den onstral)le in the brush 1)Ol (lPr5 of the ijroxiiiial (OflVOlUtP(l tubules of rat kidney (Fig. I ) ; slight activity is seen in Ilie(IU1 lar (aI)1 liaries aiul gloI (ruli . ‘Fhe 1)11151) l)O1(le! localization has been rel)orte(b h Burstouie (2) , ho U5P(l unfixed frozen-dried paraflin se(tiOns. As Burstone nOte(l, adequate lOcalizatli)n cannot 1)e attaiflc(l vith uuifixed frozen sNtiOfls. ‘Ehis results froi enzvui e or (lye (hifusion, an(I l)ml)al)lY froni cell (lamage. Although formol-calcium fixation leaves sufficient enzyme activity in the brush border, the reaction product is not as well lOcalize(l as after acetone fixation. In rat liver, activity is noted in the connective tissue (capillaries? ) surrounding the portal triads, an(l in what appear to l)e the l)ericaflali(ular granules (7) (Fig. 2). This localization of the enzvme in granules should he established less equivocally. It is 1x)ssible that the granules seen are simply precipitated azo (lye, with the enzyme in fact localize(l within the bile canaliculi (see (3)), although we believe it more likely that the (lye is within pericanaliciular organdies. Part of the dif-
Attitudes toward Direct Marketing and its Regulation: A Comparison of the United States and Japan

The authors propose that the high-context nature of Japanese communication and the collectivistic nature of Japanese culture have an impact on attitudes toward direct marketing and its regulation. The results of a survey of Japanese and U.S. university students suggest that certain types of direct marketing messages are less effective in Japan than in the United States. The results also indicate a greater willingness by Japanese respondents to support regulation of direct marketing practices. The authors discuss managerial implications of the findings for multinational marketers and advertisers and suggest public policy implications for direct marketing in Japan.
Hippocampal degeneration differentiates diffuse Lewy body disease (DLBD) from Alzheimer's disease

Immunocytochemistry with antibodies to ubiquitin is currently the most sensitive method for detecting cortical Lewy bodies, which are a sine qua non for the diagnosis of diffuse Lewy body disease (DLBD), an increasingly recognized form of primary degenerative dementia. In the systematic application of ubiquitin immunocytochemistry to sections of hippocampus from control subjects and patients with a wide spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases, we noted the frequent occurrence of ubiquitin-immunoreactive neurites in the CA2–3 region in DLBD. The nature of these neurites was investigated with immunocytochemistry in DLBD, Alzheimer's disease (AD), normal elderly subjects, and Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the number of neurites varied from case to case, they were virtually always detected in DLBD but not in normal, AD, or PD brains. Double immunolabeling studies with anti-ubiquitin demonstrated a small fraction of double-stained neurites with antibodies to neurofilament or Alz-50, but no double staining with an antibody to Alzheimer neurofibrillary tangles. These results are different from those for neurites in AD, which are rarely seen in CA2–3 and which are immunoreactive with all these antibodies. Neuritic degeneration in the CA2–3 region of the hippocampus appears to be a specific histopathologic feature of DLBD.
Book Review: East Asian Welfare Regimes in Transition: from Confucianism to Globalisation

also convincingly shows that we have – though differences in emphasis obviously remain – witnessed a convergence of the solidarity concepts used by the two welfare state parties, largely due to the increasing focus of Social Democrats on the need to mediate the interests of the various societal classes. And while the concepts of subsidiarity and personalism have recently gained renewed salience within Christian Democratic parties, the presence of the concept of solidarity still clearly marks a key difference to the basic values and core aims of Liberalism and Conservatism. A vague common understanding of the concept of solidarity has thus become a focal point for the two welfare state parties in Europe. The book also includes a brief synthesizing chapter on how solidarity is defined by ‘modern’ social philosophy, on which Sternjø tries to build a general, contemporary definition of solidarity. The epilogue sketches potential challenges for the future of solidarity as a concept, but also highlights the possibility of an emerging global solidarity. Overall, Sternjø’s book is highly recommended for students trying to understand one of the most important concepts underlying what has come to be known as the European Social Model, as well as the programmatic development of the two welfare state parties in Europe from the 19th century to the present day. It will also contribute to a better understanding of the underlying philosophical differences between the (continental) European and the Anglo-Saxon Model, and should thus be required reading for political economists and those interested in ‘varieties of capitalism’.
CAPITAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT DISTORTIONS

This paper investigates distortions in financial statements that arise from employing capital assets. Use of historical cost depreciation tends to overstate earnings because of inflation effects, which in turn misrepresents firms' capacities to expand operations or to distribute dividends. We argue that the financial statement effects of inflation can be traced to two main sources: understated depreciation, and interest expense. Depending on a firm's capital structure choices, the distortion from historical cost depreciation is heightened or mitigated. Measurement errors in accounting numbers obscure the relation between price and earnings. We develop value relevant adjustments that enhance the informativeness of earnings. We also show that the effects of measurement errors from using historical cost depreciation are most pronounced in firms that carry lower levels of debt.
The Arabidopsis thaliana/Myzus persicae model system demonstrates that a single gene can influence the interaction between a plant and a sap‐feeding insect

We have developed an Arabidopsis thaliana/Myzus persicae model system to allow the dissection of plant/insect interactions at a molecular genetic level. This allows the examination of the role of single plant genes in the interaction between the plant and an aphid. Our initial studies have exploited an Arabidopsis genotype in which the function of the amino acid transporter ANT1 has been abolished. This mutation results in a change in the proportions of several amino acids within the phloem sieve elements (SEs) resulting in an increase in the proportion of essential amino acids. This has been measured using aphid stylectomy to collect SE samples, followed by a novel micellar electrokinetic chromatography method for amino acid analysis. The SE content represents the aphid's diet, and use of electrical penetration graph technology and honeydew clocks have demonstrated that this altered diet results in a change in the feeding rate of the aphid. Balance sheets can be produced to show the amount (nmoles/24 h) of each of 18 amino acids taken up and excreted by aphids feeding on wild type and ant1 mutant plants. The data show that aphids feeding on the ant1 mutant take up larger amounts of amino acids. However, we could not detect any effect on the reproductive rate of the aphids. The results show that, under experimental conditions, this model system can be used to identify plant genes that control the behaviour and fecundity of an insect pest.
Neuropsychological Lateralization of Brain Dysfunction in Children With Mesial Temporal Sclerosis: A Presurgical Evaluation

Presurgical evaluation of children with mesial temporal sclerosis has shown severe neurocognitive impairments. There is debate about lateralized material-specific deficits in memory in children with mesial temporal sclerosis. The authors examined lateralization of brain dysfunction and age appropriate development of cognitive functions in 17 children (7-15 years) with mesial temporal sclerosis who had histories of uncontrolled epilepsy. The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) neuropsychological battery for children was employed and each participant’s performance was compared with the norms. Results showed that the battery was sensitive to deficits in learning and memory associated with mesial temporal sclerosis. However, a lack of clearly lateralized material-specific memory deficits in children with left/right mesial temporal sclerosis was also observed. Performance on tests that assess learning, attention, working memory, and visuospatial functions was found to be below the age appropriate level. Children with mesial temporal sclerosis showed widely distributed neuropsychological deficits.
The development of an intelligent agent prototype for mutual fund investment

This paper introduces the development aspects of an intelligent agent for mutual fund investment decisions. The success of next-generation Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems mainly depends on making intelligent systems more useful for automated planning and strategic-level decisions, rather than using them merely for transaction processing at the operational level. The required knowledge for the development of the rule base has been adapted from the literature and the working of the intelligent agent prototype has been demonstrated using suitable examples. The developed system, based on fuzzy logic, takes a wide range of values as input and comes out with a unique decision, whereas an ordinary expert system would have given multiple decisions as output. Vagueness handling is possible on the internet and this helps the evolution of ERP, for which internet enabled strategic decision-making is of paramount importance.