Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between sequence variations in genes encoding human zona pellucida glycoproteins and fertilization failure in IVF.

BACKGROUND The zona pellucida (ZP) has multiple roles in reproductive processes, including oocyte maturation, fertilization and implantation. We used, for the first time, a genetic approach to study whether human ZP genes possess structural alterations in women with unsuccessful IVF trials. In theory, this may result in gradual reduction of sperm-zona interaction and eventually in total fertilization failure (TFF). METHODS Eighteen infertile women (TFFs) whose IVF did not result in any fertilized oocytes, whereas fertilization by ICSI was successful, were screened for mutations in ZP genes by means of conformation-sensitive gel electrophoresis. Twenty-three fertilizers in IVF (FIVFs) and 68 women with proven fertility (WPFs) constituted the two control groups. RESULTS Altogether, 20 sequence variations were found in the ZP genes. Two variations in ZP3, one in the regulatory region (c. 1-87 T --> G) and one in exon 6 [c. 894 G --> A (p. K298)] existed more frequently in TFFs than in FIVF and WPF groups (P-values 0.027 and 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our study on ZP genes of infertile women revealed a high degree of sequence variations. This may reflect gradual reduction of fertility among TFFs, but the putative roles and influences of single variations can only be hypothesized.
Discriminant Analysis of Bank Profitability Levels

Discriminant analysis has been employed in this paper in order to identify and explain key features of bank profitability levels. Bank profitability is set up in the form of two categorical variables: profit or loss recorded and above or below average return on equity. Predictor variables are selected from various groups of financial indicators usually included in the empirical work on microeconomic determinants of bank profitability. The data from the Croatian banking sector is analyzed using the Enter method. General recommendations for a more profitable business of banking found in the bank management literature and existing empirical framework such as rationalization of overhead costs, asset growth, increase of non-interest income by expanding scale and scope of financial products proved to be important for classification of banks in different profitability levels. A higher market share may bring additional advantages. Classification results, canonical correlation and Wilks’ Lambda test confirm statistical significance of research results. Altogether, discriminant analysis turns out to be a suitable statistical method for solving presented research problem and moving forward from the bankruptcy, credit rating or default issues in finance.
The Impact of Mandated Maternity Benefits on the Gender Differential in Promotions: Examining the Role of Adverse Selection

This paper examines how mandated maternity leave policies impact the gender gap in promotions. I present a model of the gender gap in promotions where rms must choose whether to invest in the training of their employees, but they are uncertain about their employees' future choice of hours of work. If women are more likely than men to reduce their hours of work during childrearing years, rms will invest less in women early in their careers, leading to a gender gap in promotions. In the presence of asymmetric information about workers' future preferences, mandated maternity leave policies can exacerbate this gap. Using the Multi-City Study of Urban Inequality and the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, I test the predictions of the model in the context of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA). Women hired after the enactment of the FMLA are ve percent more likely to remain employed but eight percent less likely to be promoted than those who were hired before the FMLA. Furthermore, I nd evidence suggesting that information asymmetry, in addition to selection, is driving the increase in the gender gap in promotions. ∗I am grateful to Gary Becker, Edward Lazear, James Heckman, and Alexander Frankel for invaluable advice and feedback at all stages of this project. I also thank Marianne Bertrand, Alessandra Voena, Pierre-Andre Chiappori, Samuel ScholhoferWohl, Bruce Meyer, Elisa Olivieri, Daryl Fairweather, James Marrone, Seth Blumberg, Stefano Mosso, and numerous seminar participants for many useful comments. I gratefully acknowledge the nancial support of the American Economic Association's Dissertation Fellowship, the George Stigler Dissertation Fund, University of Chicago's Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality, and the University of Chicago's Division of Social Sciences. †University of Chicago Department of Economics, mmthomas@uchicago.edu
Asymptomatic gonorrhea in men: caused by gonococci with unique nutritional requirements.

In a retrospective case-control study, gonococci with nutritional requirements for arginine, hypoxanthine, and uracil were recovered from 24 of 25 men with asymptomatic gonorrhea and 10 of 25 men with symptomatic gonorrhea (P = .0001). These strains represent a smaller proportion of gonococcal isolate from blacks than from whites. Asymptomatic urethral infection is important in the epidemiology of gonorrhea, particularly among whites.
FGF-2 Induced by Interleukin-1β through the Action of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Mediates Endothelial Mesenchymal Transformation in Corneal Endothelial Cells*

Our previous work demonstrated that both polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and protein fractions released from PMNs induced de novo synthesis of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), which in turn becomes the direct mediator of endothelial mesenchymal transformation observed in corneal endothelial cells (CECs). To identify the protein factor, we used ProteinChip Array technology. Protein fractions obtained from the conditioned medium released by PMNs were resolved by two-dimensional electrophoresis with immobilized pH gradient strips. Most of the protein spots, with molecular masses of 17 kDa, were sequentially subjected to in-gel trypsin digestion and mass spectrometry. The 17-kDa peptide band was identified as interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Biological activities of IL-1β were further determined; IL-1β altered the shape of CECs from polygonal to fibroblastic morphologies in a time- and dose-dependent manner, whereas neutralizing IL-1β antibody, neutralizing antibody to FGF-2, and LY294002 blocked the action of IL-1β. IL-1β greatly increased the levels of FGF-2 mRNA in a time- and dose-dependent manner; IL-1β stimulated expression of all isoforms of FGF-2. IL-1β initially induced nuclear accumulation of FGF-2 and facilitated translocation of FGF-2 to plasma membrane and extracellular matrix. IL-1β activated phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase, the enzyme activity of which was greatly stimulated after a 5-min exposure to IL-1β. This early and rapid activation of PI 3-kinase greatly enhanced FGF-2 production in CECs; pretreatment with LY294002 hampered the induction activity of IL-1β. These observations suggest that IL-1β takes part in endothelial to mesenchymal transformation of CECs through its inductive potential on FGF-2 via the action of PI 3-kinase.
miR-200 Inhibits Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Invasion and Metastasis by Targeting Flt1/VEGFR1

The microRNA-200 (miR-200) family is part of a gene expression signature that predicts poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. In a mouse model of K-ras/p53-mutant lung adenocarcinoma, miR-200 levels are suppressed in metastasis-prone tumor cells, and forced miR-200 expression inhibits tumor growth and metastasis, but the miR-200 target genes that drive lung tumorigenesis have not been fully elucidated. Here, we scanned the genome for putative miR-200 binding sites and found them in the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of 35 genes that are amplified in human cancer. Mining of a database of resected human lung adenocarcinomas revealed that the levels of one of these genes, Flt1/VEGFR1, correlate inversely with duration of survival. Forced miR-200 expression suppressed Flt1 levels in metastasis-prone lung adenocarcinoma cells derived from K-ras/p53-mutant mice, and negatively regulated the Flt1 3′-UTR in reporter assays. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) isolated from murine lung adenocarcinomas secreted abundant VEGF and enhanced tumor cell invasion in coculture studies. CAF-induced tumor cell invasion was abrogated by VEGF neutralization or Flt1 knockdown in tumor cells. Flt1 knockdown decreased the growth and metastasis of tumor cells in syngeneic mice. We conclude that miR-200 suppresses lung tumorigenesis by targeting Flt1. Mol Cancer Res; 9(1); 25–35 ©2010 AACR.
Aphasia treatment: Intensity, dose parameters, and script training

Abstract Studies of aphasia treatment have shown that intensive speech-language therapy is associated with significant improvements. However, there is no standard definition of intensity and the simplistic notion that “more is better” is not necessarily supported by the research. First, current evidence regarding intensity and aphasia treatment was briefly summarized. Second, studies that directly compare conditions of higher- and lower-intensity treatment for aphasia were reviewed with regard to the inclusion of parameters that contribute to a definition of intensity. In addition to five parameters proposed by 23 and highlighted by 1, total number of sessions was also often documented. The review illustrated the complexity of quantifying the dose of comprehensive treatments that target multiple modalities and utilize a variety of different strategies. Third, data from a study reporting a relationship between intensive computer-based script training and outcomes in aphasia were examined. Results serve to illustrate Baker's contention that intensity alone is insufficient without also considering the active ingredients of the teaching episode. Information about dose, therapeutic inputs, and client acts can lead to better optimization of an intervention.
Changes in the Revised ISO 9001 Standard and their Effects on Audits

Author Antti Ruostekoski Title Changes in the Revised ISO 9001 Standard and their Effects on Audits Year 2017 Language English Pages 60 + 2 Appendices Name of Supervisor Helena Blomquist The topic of this thesis was given by an employee, a company, where audits, standards and quality management are considered on daily bases. The research focuses on the new version of ISO 9001 quality management standard and especially on its changes and challenges. Complex supplier chains, growing customer expectations and globalization in the business world create challenges to the standard. This research is limited to the key changes in the standard and the effects that those changes lead to in practice. The theoretical framework consists of changes in the new ISO 9001:2015 standard compared to ISO 9001:2008, the previous version of the standard. The objective of the revised standard is to make sure that products and services correspond even better than before to the requirements of customers and authorities. Quality, quality management and risks are in a central role of the new standard. Therefore, these sections are also considered in the theoretical section of the thesis. To get the best possible information on those changes and challenges on a practical level theme interviews were used as the method to collect material and information. The qualitative research method was used in this thesis. This method was the most suitable for the purpose of this thesis and material available. The results of the research showed that the revised ISO 9001:2015 concentrates on the right issues, risks being in the central role. The new standard makes auditing easier and the process of audits better flowing. What comes to auditing it can be said that the auditor’s way of working correlates with the impacts of the changes in the new standard.
Research on TCM Brand Building and Management

With the coming of the brand competition period, Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） brand building and management has become a problem which must be faced and considered in the TCM industry. The paper analyzes the existing problems of TCM brand building and management, then establishes the model of TCM brand building and management combined with knowledge of brand strategic management and discusses four factors in the process of establishing the model, so that to guide the TCM enterprise to develop its own unique TCM brand successfully, to manage the brand properly, and finally to promote the progress of the whole enterprise.
User experience value system on social network sites of healthcare providers, and its relation to users’ perception of quality

University of Wollongong Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorise you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this work may be reproduced by any process, nor may any other exclusive right be exercised, without the permission of the author. Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. A reproduction of material that is protected by copyright may be a copyright infringement. A court may impose penalties and award damages in relation to offences and infringements relating to copyright material. Higher penalties may apply, and higher damages may be awarded, for offences and infringements involving the conversion of material into digital or electronic form. Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.
Classical Planning with Communicative Actions

Explicit communication planning is an increasing necessity for agent systems. Furthermore, there has also been a renewed interest in using classical planning to perform this planning in addition to physical actions in a goal-directed way. Existing approaches, however, are not applicable to a broad spectrum of domains. We present several generic pre-processing strategies and adaptations of the FastForward (FF) planner that we compare in two different domains in terms of time complexity.
Efficient Strategic Positioning in Developing Countries: The Case of North-South Strategic Alliances

Summary In this paper, we look at two aspects of developing country issues and postulate that knowledge concerning the determinants of success in strategic alliances involving states and firms would be useful to partners in helping them attain their respective objectives for development and performance. Our research hypotheses therefore suggest that, in developing countries, strategic alliances perform better than other organizational forms. Their success is based both on the use of technological know-how in an efficient manner and on their capacity to obtain bank loans . These hypotheses were verified through a multiple linear regression analysis of data taken from the Regional Program for Business Development (PRDE).
Outsourcing strategies in the security sector

The purpose of this paper is to examine how security-related outsourcing strategies and the negotiating power of the public sector, the military and the relevant logistics service providers influence indirect logistics costs. Survey data was gathered from 149 respondents and the model was tested using structural equation modelling. The findings indicate that negotiating power and logistics strategy do not correlate. However, together they do affect direct costs and perceived service quality to reduce indirect logistics costs. Furthermore, it seems that service quality may have a strong mediating role in the relationship between negotiation power and indirect costs. Hence, the buyers of logistics services could learn from the public sector and the military on how to use negotiating power and strategy to obtain better service and short-term cost reductions and potentially improve the service performance of their supply chain. The paper will therefore be of value to both practitioners and scholars.
Membranous glomerulopathy associated with rheumatoid arthritis may respond to rituximab

Membranous glomerulonephritis is an uncommon extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis, which need not be associated with prior DMARD (disease-modifying antirheumatic drug) therapies (Clin Rheum 1996, 15, 385). We observed a patient with an 8-year history of seropositive erosive rheumatoid arthritis complicated by the development of refractory nephrotic syndrome secondary to biopsy-proven membranous glomerulonephritis. Signs and symptoms of his disabling kidney disease included renal insufficiency, massive proteinuria (25 grams), edema and a hypercoaguable state (deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary emboli). Alkylating agents, antimetabolites and glucocorticoids were ineffective in reducing his proteinuria over a 2 year period. The patient subsequently received 2 courses (1 gram twice over a 2 week period) of rituximab (a monoclonal antibody to CD20 that specifically depletes B cells), 6 months apart. Serum albumin at initial treatment was 2.0 gm/dl and normalized (3.7 gm/dl) one month after the second course of therapy. This was accompanied by a corresponding decrease of urinary protein (22 grams to 7.4 grams/24 hours) and a reduction in diuretic requirements. B cell directed therapy may prove useful in treating membranous glomerulopathies. Abstract
A comparison between force and position control strategies in myoelectric prostheses

This work studies the simultaneous and proportional myoelectric force and position estimation of multiple degrees of freedom (DOFs) for unilateral transradial amputees. Two experiments were conducted to compare force and position control paradigms. In the first, a force experiment, subjects performed isometric contractions, while the force applied by the limb and EMG were recorded. In the second, a position experiment, dynamic contractions were permitted during which position of the limb and EMG were measured. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were trained to estimate force/position from EMG of the contralateral limb during mirrored bilateral contractions. This study involved contractions with combined activations of three DOFs including wrist: flexion/extension, radial/ulnar deviation and forearm supination/pronation. For the given data set, while force estimation demonstrated high accuracy (R2=0.84±0.02), position estimation performance was relatively poor (R2=0.57±0.05). Two healthy subjects participated in this work.
The Effect of Impression Management Techniques which Tourist Guides Use in Package Tours on Personal Interaction Quality

Tourist guides, one of the most important components of package tours, are the indispensable elements of the tourism industry. Tourist guides have a crucial role in representing a destination, a region or a country, and transferring information about the culture, history and social life of the place he/she represents. In this scope; Tourist guides are those who spend the most time with tourists, share the same environment with them, and interact naturally with the most. Thus, the behaviours they use determine the quality of interaction of tourist guides with tourists. The aim of this research is to determine whether the impression management techniques used by tour guides in package tours affect the quality of tourist-guide interaction. In this scope; a face-to-face questionnaire was applied to 445 tourists who participated in the tours of the active tourist guides living in Eskisehir, and the data were analysed and we have five factors: Ingratiation, Self-Praise, Supplication, Being Authoritarian and Interaction Quality. As a result, it was determined that the impression management techniques which tourist guides use in package tours do not affect the personal interaction quality alone.
Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for studying Pseudomonas aeruginosa cell surface antigens

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the measurement of antibodies directed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa cell surface antigens was developed. Formalin-killed whole cells of P. aeruginosa, adsorbed to polystyrene acrylic copolymer cuvettes, were used as immobilized antigens. Antisera to P. aeruginosa mucoid strain 144M and to its spontaneous nonmucoid derivative, 144NM, were raised in rabbits by immunization with Formalin-killed bacteria. By using this enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, anti-144M serum was found to have a ca. 10-fold-higher antibody titer to 144M than did anti-144NM serum, suggesting that 144M may have either immunogenic determinants not present on 144NM or perhaps simply more antigenic determinants. In contrast, anti-144M and anti-144NM immune sera were found to have nearly identical antibody titers to 144NM, suggesting that these strains share many determinants. Anti-P. aeruginosa immune serum was found to contain Pseudomonas-specific antibodies as well as antibodies which cross-reacted with other gram-negative bacteria. Finally, absorption studies demonstrated that this assay can detect both LPS and non-LPS surface-exposed antigenic determinants. Thus, this whole bacterial cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay should prove useful in monitoring patient sera and secretions for potentially protective immunoglobulins directed at P. aeruginosa cell surface antigens.
Deriving Dyad-Level Interaction Representation Using Interlocutors Structural and Expressive Multimodal Behavior Features

The overall interaction atmosphere is often a result of complex interplay between individual interlocutor’s behavior expressions and joint manifestation of dyadic interaction dynamics. There is very limited work, if any, that has computationally analyzed a human interaction at the dyad-level. Hence, in this work, we propose to compute an extensive novel set of features representing multi-faceted aspects of a dyadic interaction. These features are grouped into two broad categories: expressive and structural behavior dynamics, where each captures information about within-speaker behavior manifestation, interspeaker behavior dynamics, durational and transitional statistics providing holistic behavior quantifications at the dyad-level. We carry out an experiment of recognizing targeted affective atmosphere using the proposed expressive and structural behavior dynamics features derived from audio and video modalities. Our experiment shows that the inclusion of both expressive and structural behavior dynamics is essential in achieving promising recognition accuracies across six different classes (72.5%), where structural-based features improve the recognition rates on classes of sad and surprise. Further analyses reveal important aspects of multimodal behavior dynamics within dyadic interactions that are related to the affective atmospheric scene.
Which are the investment fund managers in Brazil behavioral investing biases and their characteristics

Behavioral Investing Biases are cognitive and emotional aspects than may intervene in investment decisions. Searching for evidences of behavioral biases in the Investment Fund managers (IFM) in Brazil, it was created a 28 questions survey, sent to 936 IFM and 98 responses were obtained. Biases like Optimism and Regret Aversion were present in more than 75% of the respondents. On the other hand, Overconfidence and Status Quo were present in less than 10%. Respondents were 90% male, 36 years-old average, BA bachelors, with Master Degree. Their personal investments are conservative despite of the majority are Equities or Multi-Markets IFM.