Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extremely Halophilic Bacteria in Crystallizer Ponds from Solar Salterns

ABSTRACT It is generally assumed that hypersaline environments with sodium chloride concentrations close to saturation are dominated by halophilic members of the domain Archaea, while Bacteriaare not considered to be relevant in this kind of environment. Here, we report the high abundance and growth of a new group of hitherto-uncultured Bacteria in crystallizer ponds (salinity, from 30 to 37%) from multipond solar salterns. In the present study, these Bacteria constituted from 5 to 25% of the total prokaryotic community and were affiliated with theCytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides phylum. Growth was demonstrated in saturated NaCl. A provisional classification of this new bacterial group as “Candidatus Salinibacter gen. nov.” is proposed. The perception that Archaea are the only ecologically relevant prokaryotes in hypersaline aquatic environments should be revised.
On the Limits of Computational Fuzzy Extractors

Fuller et al. (Asiacrypt 2013) studied on computational fuzzy extractors, and showed, as a negative result, that the existence of a computational “secure sketch” implies the existence of an information-theoretically secure sketch with slightly weaker parameters. In this work, we show a similar negative result such that, under some computational assumption, the existence of a computational fuzzy extractor also implies the existence of an information-theoretic fuzzy extractor with slightly weaker parameters. The assumption is that the generation procedure of the fuzzy extractor can be efficiently invertible. This result implies that to circumvent the limitations of information-theoretic fuzzy extractors, we need to employ computational fuzzy extractors in which the generation procedure cannot be efficiently invertible.
Governance environment, cash holding and performance

Based on China's A-share listed manufacturing companies' data for 2002–2007, used marketization indexes of various regions of China compiled by Fan Gang etc. to construct corporate governance environment, we study the relationship between governance environment, cash holdings and performance empirically. We find that cash holdings have a positive influence on performance, which seems more apparent in the poor governance environment regions. In the good governance environment regions, cash held by non-state companies has a greater impact on performance relative to the state-owned companies.
Graph partitioning techniques for Markov Decision Processes decomposition

Recently, several authors have proposed serial decomposition techniques for solving approximately or exactly large Markov Decision Processes. Many of these techniques rely on a clever partitioning of the state space in roughly independent parts. The different parts only communicate through relatively few communicating states. The efficiency of these decomposition methods clearly depends on the size of the set of communicating states : the smaller, the better. However, the task of finding such a decomposition with few communicating states is often (if not always) left to the user. In this paper, we present automated decomposition techniques for MDPs. These techniques are based on methods which have been developed for graph partitioning problems.
Reducing Underreporting by Aggregating Budgeted Time

Underreporting, or reporting fewer hours than actually worked, is a prevalent behavior among auditors at all levels. Underreporting can result in negative consequences, such as tight budgets and reductions in future audit quality. In this paper, I propose a low-cost budget formatting procedure that reduces underreporting. Using an experiment, I document that individuals with higher underreporting incentives underreport less when given an aggregated budget relative to a disaggregated budget. When individuals have lower underreporting incentives, aggregating the budget has a smaller effect on underreporting. I also provide evidence of the process by performing a mediation analysis. In a second experiment, I examine a budget formatting procedure that reduces underreporting while also mitigating the loss of data richness that results from aggregation. This study provides important insights to audit firms, partners, managers, and regulators who rely on audit hours for budgets, measures of staff efficiency, and measures of audit quality.
Detection of point sources in X-ray astronomical images using elliptical Gaussian filters

Since most energetic celestial sources in the Universe often exhibit a point-like appearance in the observed images, design of methods to detect and extract them is a hot research topic. An approach to detect and extract point sources in X-ray astronomical images that uses Gaussian smooth filters is proposed. As there might be false detections, a spurious source removal approach taking advantage of local background estimation and SNR thresholding is also proposed. We applied the new approach to the practical X-ray astronomical image of NGC 4552 (M89), and our approach achieves very good performance with a lower detection error rate of 5% compared to wavdetect and celldetect, and the speed of our approach is also comparable. We conclude that our approach is accurate, robust and efficient.
Estabilidad de tethers electrodinámicos en órbita elíptica inclinada

En orbita circular, la vertical local gira uniformemente alrededor de la normal a la orbita y constituye una posicion de equilibrio estable para tethers inertes. En orbita eĺiptica, sin embargo, el giro no es uniforme y el equilibrio del tether se rompe: abandonado en la vertical local, inicia un movimiento de libracion autoexcitado. Las ecuaciones que gobiernan el movimiento tienen soluciones periodicas en lugar de posiciones de equilibrio. Los tethers electrodinamicos nunca tienen posiciones de equilibrio, ni aun en orbita circular, pero con modelos sencillos del campo magnetico y la corriente del tether, exhiben soluciones periodicas. Aqui se analiza la accion combinada de ambos efectos: excentricidad de la orbita y fuerzas electrodinamicas. Se han detectado nuevas soluciones periodicas y se ha analizado su estabilidad, que determina la estabilidad global del sistema.
The Effect of VHS Specific siRNA on Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Replication

Objective: To explore the effects of siRNA targeting to Virion host shutoff protein (VHS) on HSV-1 replication in vero cell. Methods: Three kinds of siRNAs were transcripted in vitro using T7RNA polymerase according to the principle of siRNA design. The Vero cells were transfected with siRNA using lipofectamine 2000 followed by HSV-1 infection. The activity of vero cells were detected by MTT method and virus titer were monitored from 12h to 72h after infection with single step growth curve assay. Results: VHS-specific siRNAs were apparently able to decrease the dead numbers of vero cells infected by HSV-1, and the virus titer showed the apparent difference between two groups (P<;0.05), compared with the control group. Conclusions: siRNA synthesized in the study could inhibit viral replication and protect host cells through interfering VHS protein synthesis. The result provided a preliminary theory for treating HSV-1 by siRNA in the further.
Critical Factors of XBRL Adoption in Nigeria: a Case for Semantic Model-Based Digital Financial Reporting

The application of Technology Acceptance Model 2 (TAM 2) has reached remarkable heights in theory and practice. However its application to recent development in corporate reporting has been limited especially in emerging economies. To address this gap, we extend the theory to eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) adoption in Nigeria from the view of external auditors in the Big Four accountancy firms. XBRL usage, its perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use were tested with subjective norm, image, job relevance, results demonstrability, and output quality. Through the path analysis among these TAM 2 variables, the results indicated that path magnitudes were significantly altered by XBRL model acceptance. The view of respondents reflects positive effect of perceived usefulness on intention to adopt XBRL. There is strong effect of perceived ease of use on perceived usefulness. Output of data analysis also indicate positive effect of results demonstrability on perceived usefulness while output quality influences perceived usefulness as job relevance also impacts on perceived usefulness. This might suggest that if the use of XBRL delivers improved data accuracy and information transparency it is expected that users would perceive the technology as valuable. The study is the first of its kind in Nigeria to observe determinants of XBRL acceptance with regards to professional accountants in the Big Four Audit firms.
Validation of the albumin‐bilirubin grade‐based integrated model as a predictor for sorafenib‐failed hepatocellular carcinoma

Sorafenib is the standard treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but is challenging after treatment failure. Appropriate criteria for enrolling patients into second‐line trials are still limited. In this study, we aimed to establish more objective criteria based on Albumin‐Bilirubin (ALBI) grade to select patients with better post‐progression survival (PPS) for second‐line treatment.
Histologic Spectrum of Diversion Colitis

Biopsy specimens taken from six patients with diversion colitis, an inflammatory process that occurs in the bypassed colonic segment after diversion of the fecal stream, showed a spectrum of histologic changes ranging from mild colitis to those seen in severe active chronic ulcerative colitis. Histologic abnormalities included aphthous ulcers, crypt distortion, atrophy and abscesses, a villous colonic surface, and a mixed acute and chronic inflammatory infiltrate with patchy lymphoid hyperplasia. Accurate pathologic diagnosis is dependent on clinical history, comparison of histologic morphology in both colonic segments, and response to therapy with local application of short chain fatty acids.
Can gamification improve financial behavior? The moderating role of app expertise

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore potential benefits of gamification (application of game-playing elements) for financial well-being and motivation to save. Design/methodology/approach A preliminary survey of college students explored how gamification principles incorporated into money-savings/personal finance smartphone apps could improve financial well-being. The main study utilized Mechanical Turk participants, exposing them to financial game app descriptions that emphasized social features (e.g. leaderboards and ability to share achievements) or economic features (e.g. ability to earn real money or a higher interest rate). Objective and subjective financial measures including expertise with financial apps, perceived benefits of financial apps and behavioral intentions were examined. Findings Financial worry, financial literacy, subjective knowledge and expertise with money-savings/financial applications predicted financial well-being. Additionally, consumers varied in their preferences for certain financial game app features based on past financial app experience. Those who already used a financial app tend to exhibit higher subjective (though not objective) knowledge, and want both “social” and “economic” features of financial applications, whereas those with no experience are more motivated by economic features. Practical implications These results could be used to guide game designers regarding which features may be more attractive to consumers depending on their prior expertise with financial smartphone applications. Financial services marketing would benefit from further research into whether smartphone financial applications that emphasize social features have benefits for consumers’ motivation and financial well-being. Originality/value Examining college students about to enter the real world and the general population, this project contributes to research to improve understanding of financial well-being by examining how already having a financial gamification application impacts perceptions of knowledge and expertise, as well as intentions to save given a more socially focused vs economically focused savings app. Additional research needs to further explore gamification as an experimental intervention to ultimately improve both subjective financial well-being and objective financial behaviors, especially for consumers with lower expertise and high risk of financial vulnerability.
Factors influencing ridge alterations following immediate implant placement into extraction sockets.

AIM To identify factors that may influence ridge alterations occurring at the buccal aspect of the extraction site following immediate implant placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS In 93 subjects, single-tooth implants were placed immediately into extraction sockets in the maxilla (tooth locations 15-25). A series of measurements describing the extraction site were made immediately after implant installation and at re-entry, 16 weeks later. The implant sites were stratified according to four factors: (i) implant location (anterior/posterior), (ii) cause of tooth extraction (periodontitis/non-periodontitis), (iii) thickness of the buccal bone walls (< or = 1 or > 1 mm) and (iv) the dimension of the horizontal buccal gap (< or = 1 or > 1 mm). RESULTS (i) The location where the implant was placed (anterior/posterior) as well as (ii) the thickness of the buccal bone crest and (iii) the size of the horizontal buccal gap significantly influenced the amount of hard tissue alteration that occurred during a 4-month period of healing. At implant sites in the premolar segment, the fill of the horizontal gap was more pronounced than in the incisor-canine segment, while the vertical crest reduction was significantly smaller. Furthermore, at sites where the buccal bone wall was thick (>1 mm) and where the horizontal gap was large (>1 mm), the degree of gap fill was substantial. CONCLUSIONS The thickness of the buccal bone wall as well as the dimension of the horizontal gap influenced the hard tissue alterations that occur following immediate implant placement into extraction sockets.
IL-4 Suppresses Very Late Antigen-4 Expression Which is Required for Therapeutic Th1 T-cell Trafficking Into Tumors

Murine CD4+ T cells cultured under type 1 polarizing conditions selectively express significantly higher levels of the very late antigen (VLA)-4 and VLA-6 integrins when compared with T cells cultured under type 2 or nonpolarizing (type 0) conditions. This difference appears due to the action of interleukin (IL)-4, as loss of VLA-4/-6 expression on Th cells was prevented by inclusion of neutralizing anti-IL-4 mAb during the initial culture period. We also observed that CD4+ T cells deficient in Stat6, a critical component of the IL-4R signaling cascade, retained high levels of VLA-4 and VLA-6 expression, regardless of IL-4 status in the culture conditions. When applied to committed Th1 cells, rIL-4 readily inhibited VLA-4 and VLA-6 expression to levels observed for Th2 cells, without altering the type 1 functional status of these cells. Conversely, low levels of VLA-4/VLA-6 expressed by committed Th2 cells could not be resurrected by culture in the presence of the Th1-kines IL-12p70 and interferon-γ. Predictably, among the Th populations evaluated, Th1 cells alone adhered efficiently to, and were costimulated by, plate-bound VCAM-1 and laminin in a VLA-4-dependent or VLA-6-dependent manner, respectively. Finally, adoptive-transferred Th1 (but not Th2) cells developed from OT-II mice were uniquely competent to traffick into OVA+ M05 melanoma lesions in vivo, thereby enhancing the therapeutic benefits associated with cotransferred OVA-specific type 1 CD8+ (OT-I) cells. These data suggest that treatment strategies capable of sustaining/enhancing VLA-4/VLA-6 expression on Th1 effector cells may yield improved clinical efficacy in the cancer setting.
Realising the circular bioeconomy

First the bioeconomy and then circular economy have gained political traction during the second decade of this century. There are synergies to be exploited, but also potential misalignments. The movement of bioeconomy toward the use of wastes, co-products and residue sources resonates well with circular economy principles of making the most efficient of uses of natural resources, as does as transition in focus from virgin to secondary materials in production. However, poorly aligned waste characterisation as well as biomass competition reflect both theoretical and practical conflicts between industrial and environmental policy. Further, waste markets can be disrupted as some materials that currently go to recycling, landfill or incineration could in the future be bound for biorefineries, with implications for waste management markest and public infrastructure. Policies promoting the cascading use of biomass could help mitigate these tensions by achieving high resource productivity.
Quantitative Investment with Machine Learning in US Equity Market

Quantitative investment attempts to use computer algorithms to predict the price of securities and make automatic trading, in order to gain excess return on the stocks. This paper introduces a strategy based on machine learning algorithms and technical indicators. The model uses several popular technical indicators as inputs and predicts the movement of stock price after a certain short period. Then, a portfolio is constructed using the prediction result. The strategy buys the stocks whose returns exceed the predetermined threshold and sells (shorts) the stocks whose return are below the negative threshold. The empirical results show that the annual return is above 40%,which is far higher than the S&P500 index(2.14%). Considering the risk-adjusted return, the machine learning strategy is better than the S&P500 index. The Sharpe Ratio is higher than that of the S&P500.
Kognitive Strukturen in der Konsumforschung : Entwicklung und Erprobung eines Verfahrens zur offenen Erhebung assoziativer Netzwerke

Das Buch prasentiert einen neuen Ansatz zur Analyse von Konsumentenverhalten. Im Zentrum steht der Begriff der kognitiven Struktur: die Gesamtheit von Erfahrungen, Wunschen und Kenntnissen eines Konsumenten in Bezug auf eine Produktklasse. Es wird ein Modell kognitiver Strukturen entwickelt und gezeigt, wie sich die kognitive Struktur sowohl auf das Kaufverhalten als auch auf das Verhalten von Respondenten in einer Erhebungssituation auswirkt. Von daher wird es moglich, theoretisch begrundet ein Verfahren zur Messung kognitiver Strukturen zu entwickeln. Dieses Verfahren grundet auf qualitative Erhebungsmethoden, die dann in quantitative Schatzungen der kognitiven Struktur umgesetzt werden. Es wird in drei empirischen Studien erprobt, wobei sowohl Reliabilitat als auch prognostische und nomologische Validitat untersucht werden. Es wird begrundet, dass die Messung kognitiver Strukturen in der Konsumforschung langfristig die Einstellungsforschung ablosen konnte.
Studies on the group F antigen of lactobacilli: detection of antibodies by haemagglutination.

SUMMARY: Teichoic acid-lipid complexes from Lactobacillus fermenti NCTC 6991 absorb to normal sheep red blood cells. Sensitized cells are agglutinated by specific antisera, the titres of representative sera being 1600 to 3200. Lipid-free teichoic acid does not sensitize red blood cells but inhibits haemagglutination. Haemagglutination is inhibited completely by intact cells of L. fermenti NCTC 6991, but only partially by other strains of L. fermenti. Strains of lactobacilli of other serological groups absorb a variable proportion of antibody. The group F antigen is a membrane teichoic acid and the significance of the absorption by intact bacterial cells is discussed.
The endophenotype and the phenotype: Temporal discrimination and adult‐onset dystonia

The pathogenesis and the genetic basis of adult‐onset primary torsion dystonia remain poorly understood. Because of markedly reduced penetrance in this disorder, a number of endophenotypes have been proposed; many of these may be epiphenomena secondary to disease manifestation. Mediational endophenotypes represent gene expression; the study of trait (endophenotypic) rather than state (phenotypic) characteristics avoids the misattribution of secondary adaptive cerebral changes to pathogenesis. We argue that abnormal temporal discrimination is a mediational endophenotype; its use facilitates examination of the effects of age, gender, and environment on disease penetrance in adult‐onset dystonia. Using abnormal temporal discrimination in unaffected first‐degree relatives as a marker for gene mutation carriage may inform exome sequencing techniques in families with few affected individuals. We further hypothesize that abnormal temporal discrimination reflects dysfunction in an evolutionarily conserved subcortical‐basal ganglia circuit for the detection of salient novel environmental change. The mechanisms of dysfunction in this pathway should be a focus for future research in the pathogenesis of adult‐onset primary torsion dystonia. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Chronic Stable Angina

A 47-year-old man reports a six-month history of intermittent chest discomfort while playing squash. He describes lower substernal tightness with numbness of the left upper arm only during exertion. He does not smoke. His father died suddenly at the age of 49 years. His blood pressure is 138/84 mm Hg. The level of total cholesterol is 261 mg per deciliter, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 172 mg per deciliter, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol 50 mg per deciliter, and the triglyceride level is 113 mg per deciliter. An exercise test is positive, with pain and 1.5 mm of horizontal ST-segment depression at stage 4 of the Bruce protocol. How should the patient's case be managed?
Data on height and weight from school health records as a national public health surveillance tool: The case of Sweden

Aim: To investigate the suitability of using routine height and weight data from records within a school health service system, for population monitoring of child and adolescent growth on a national level. Methods: A longitudinal study from age 7 to 18 years of all children born on the 15th of any month in 1973 and living in Sweden on 31 December 1989 (1,724 girls and 1,855 boys). Data were collected from school health records. Results: Descriptive statistics for height and weight calculated from data obtained from school health records are summarized and compared with previous Swedish studies. The effect of exclusion of children with chronic diseases involving major growth impairment and/or exclusion of children born outside Sweden have a minor impact on the results owing to the relatively small number of excluded children. Conclusion: Longitudinal data for somatic growth (height and weight) from age 7 to 18 years from a nationally representative sample of children in Sweden, collected from school health records, can be used for epidemiological monitoring of growth with fewer missing individuals and at lower costs compared with other dedicated studies. Data quality is comparable to similar national surveys. The data are suitable for descriptive analysis of growth and other forms of observational study.