Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the transcriptional activity of the long terminal repeats of simian immunodeficiency viruses SIVmac251 and SIVmac239 in T-cell lines and macrophage cell lines

The U3 regions of the long terminal repeats (LTRs) of simian immunodeficiency viruses SIVmac251 and SIVmac239 were analyzed for basal transcriptional activity and for interaction with cellular factors in the T-cell line HUT-78 and the monocyte/macrophage cell line U937. A number of 5' deletions and mutations were made in the U3 regions of the two LTRs, and these constructs were placed upstream of a plasmid containing the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. The nucleotide sequences between -225 and +18 were sufficient to maintain full transcriptional activity of both LTRs in HUT-78 and U937 cells. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed several differences between SIVmac251 and SIVmac239 within this region. Analysis of deletion mutants revealed that an additional removal of bases, from -124 to -225, had little effect on the transcriptional activity of the clone 239 LTR, whereas this deletion resulted in a significant reduction of activity in the clone 251 LTR. DNase protection assays using nuclear extracts from HUT-78 and U937 cells showed that bases within this region bound cellular factors. In addition, the NF-kappa B site was protected in DNase assays with HUT-78 cells and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-treated U937 cells. An additional DNase footprint was detected in SIVmac239, at -52 to -38, just upstream of the TATA box. This site overlaps the 3' half of the 3'-most Sp-1 site and is downstream of 11 bases that are found in SIVmac239 but not SIVmac251. Thus, differences in the sequences in the U3 region of the LTRs of SIVmac251 and SIVmac239 have been identified which appear to alter the transcriptional activity of these promoters as well as changing the interaction of cellular proteins with sequences in the LTRs.
Strategies for Information Technology Governance

In many organizations, Information Technology (IT) has become crucial in the support, the sustainability and the growth of the business. This pervasive use of technology has created a critical dependency on IT that calls for a specific focus on IT Governance. IT Governance consists of the leadership and organizational structures, processes and relational mechanisms that ensure that the organization's IT sustains and extends the organization's strategy and objectives. This records and interprets some important existing theories, models and practices in the IT Governance domain and aims to contribute to the understanding of IT Governance.
Detection of Early Changes in Autoimmune T Cell Phenotype and Function Following Intravenous Administration of Type II Collagen in a TCR-Transgenic Model1

To study the phenotypic and functional changes in naive type II collagen (CII)-specific autoimmune T cells following a tolerogenic signal, a TCR-transgenic (Tg) mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis was developed. These Tg mice express an I-Aq-restricted CII (260–267)-specific TCR that confers severe accelerated autoimmune arthritis following immunization with CII. Despite the fact that >90% of the αβ T cells express the Tg, these mice can be rendered completely tolerant to the induction of arthritis by i.v. administration of 200 μg of CII. As early as 24 h after CII administration, CII-specific T cells demonstrated a decreased ability to proliferate in response to the CII immunodominant peptide and phenotypically altered the expression of L-selectin to CD62Llow and of phagocytic glycoprotein-1 to CD44high, expression levels consistent with the phenotype of memory T cells. In addition, they up-regulated the expression of the activation markers CD71 and CD69. Functionally, following tolerogenic stimulation, the CII-specific T cells produced similar levels of IL-2 in comparison to controls when challenged with CII peptide, however, by 48 h after exposure to tolerogen, IL-2 production dropped and was replaced by high levels of IL-10 and IL-4. Based on their production of Th2 cytokines, these data suggest that T regulatory cells expressing activation and memory markers are induced by the tolerogen and may exert their influence via cytokines to protect the animals from the induction of arthritis.
Vital signs monitoring system using FPGAs

We developed a mobile device using field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to detect and monitor basic human body functions, such as, body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. This information can give a clue to a possible diagnosis and display a recovering progress in treatment. We designed the digital circuits and electronic components tested and simulated them with using Very-High-Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL). Synthetic circuits were then downloaded into chip on our developed circuit broad and all electronic components were built up together. A low-cost in-house device was completely made as a reconfigurable system. We successfully used our vital signs devices to measure body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate. Further development, we will design and customise our existing device to be smaller in its size and much easier to handle.
Impact of Work Related Factors on Quality of Work Life of Employees in Small Scale Industries in Kanyakumari District

Quality of Work Life (QWL) is recognized as the ultimate key to development among all the work systems. The QWL is concerned with improving the employee satisfaction, strengthening the infrastructure at the work place, learning and managing the emerging trends and transitions effectively and efficiently. The exploratory factor analysis shows that healthy and safe working conditions, adequate and fair compensation, growth and development, self improvement and job security and social integration are the factors contributing to the employees’ quality of work life in small scale industries. The regression analysis indicates that healthy and safe working conditions, adequate and fair compensation, growth and development, self improvement and job security and social integration are having positive impact on quality of work life in small scale industries. To improve quality of work life is to first identify and then try to satisfy employees’ important needs through their experience in their working environment.
Experimental results of spaceborne stripmap SAR raw data imaging via compressed sensing

Compressed sensing (CS) is a new theory that enables sampling below the Nyquist rate, while the quality of reconstruction is guaranteed. This theory is applied to sparse circumstance. Based on this theory, this paper proposes a feasible method for the spaceborne stripmap synthetic aperture radar (SAR) raw data imaging. The technique presented is introduced as an alternative option to the traditional matched filtering. An experiment with SAR raw data is also described. Its purpose is to show that CS can be applied to spaceborne stripmap SAR raw data.
Promoter of a salinity and cold stress-induced MCM6 DNA helicase from pea

The eukaryotic hetrohexameric minichromosome maintenance (MCM2-7) proteins complex provides DNA unwinding function during the DNA replication. The complex also functions as DNA replication licensing factor which ensures that the DNA in genome is replicated only once per cell division cycle. Recently, a single subunit MCM6 from pea has been shown to contain helicase and ATPase activities in vitro. Recently, the transcript of a single subunit was reported to be upregulated in pea plant in response to high salinity and cold stress and not with ABA, drought and heat stress. The first direct evidence that overexpression of single subunit MCM6 confers salinity stress tolerance without yield loss has also been reported. Here we report the promoter of the pea MCM6 single subunit that contains stress responsive elements which may be responsible for regulating the MCM6 under abiotic stress conditions.
Effects of family history and apolipoprotein E epsilon4 status on cognitive decline in the absence of Alzheimer dementia: the Cache County Study.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influences of a family history of Alzheimer dementia (FHxAD) and the apolipoprotein E epsilon4 genotype (APOE epsilon4) on cognitive decline. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Residents of Cache County, Utah, aged 65 years or older, were invited to participate. At baseline, 2957 participants provided DNA for genotyping of APOE and a detailed FHxAD. They also completed the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination. Cognitive status was reexamined after 3 and 7 years. We used mixed-effects models to examine the association among FHxAD, APOE epsilon4, and cognitive trajectories. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Modified Mini-Mental State Examination score trajectories over time. RESULTS Compared with participants who did not have APOE epsilon4 or an FHxAD, those with APOE epsilon4 scored lower on the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination at baseline (-0.70 points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.15 to -0.24). Participants with an FHxAD and APOE epsilon4 differed less, if at all, in baseline score (-0.46 points; 95% CI, -1.09 to 0.16) but declined faster during the 7-year study (-9.75 points [95% CI, -10.82 to -8.67] vs -2.91 points [95% CI, -3.37 to -2.44]). After exclusion of participants who developed prodromal AD or incident dementia, the group with an FHxAD and APOE epsilon4 declined much less during the 7-year study (-1.54; 95% CI, -2.59 to -0.50). CONCLUSIONS Much of the association among FHxAD, APOE epsilon4, and cognitive decline may be attributed to undetected incipient (latent) disease. In the absence of latent disease, the 2 factors do not appear individually to be associated with cognitive decline, although they may be additive.
Transmission of Atherosclerosis Susceptibility with Gut Microbial Transplantation*

Background: Recent human and animal studies suggest that gut microbes can influence atherosclerosis via generation of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). Results: Cecal microbial transplantation from atherosclerosis-prone versus -resistant inbred strains of mice transmitted enhanced choline diet-dependent atherosclerosis and TMAO levels. Conclusion: Atherosclerosis susceptibility can be transmitted with gut microbial transplantation. Significance: Gut microbes participate in atherosclerosis susceptibility and are thus a potential therapeutic target. Recent studies indicate both clinical and mechanistic links between atherosclerotic heart disease and intestinal microbial metabolism of certain dietary nutrients producing trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). Here we test the hypothesis that gut microbial transplantation can transmit choline diet-induced TMAO production and atherosclerosis susceptibility. First, a strong association was noted between atherosclerotic plaque and plasma TMAO levels in a mouse diversity panel (n = 22 strains, r = 0.38; p = 0.0001). An atherosclerosis-prone and high TMAO-producing strain, C57BL/6J, and an atherosclerosis-resistant and low TMAO-producing strain, NZW/LacJ, were selected as donors for cecal microbial transplantation into apolipoprotein e null mice in which resident intestinal microbes were first suppressed with antibiotics. Trimethylamine (TMA) and TMAO levels were initially higher in recipients on choline diet that received cecal microbes from C57BL/6J inbred mice; however, durability of choline diet-dependent differences in TMA/TMAO levels was not maintained to the end of the study. Mice receiving C57BL/6J cecal microbes demonstrated choline diet-dependent enhancement in atherosclerotic plaque burden as compared with recipients of NZW/LacJ microbes. Microbial DNA analyses in feces and cecum revealed transplantation of donor microbial community features into recipients with differences in taxa proportions between donor strains that were transmissible to recipients and that tended to show coincident proportions with TMAO levels. Proportions of specific taxa were also identified that correlated with plasma TMAO levels in donors and recipients and with atherosclerotic lesion area in recipients. Atherosclerosis susceptibility may be transmitted via transplantation of gut microbiota. Gut microbes may thus represent a novel therapeutic target for modulating atherosclerosis susceptibility.
Comparison of stress and total energy methods for calculation of elastic properties of semiconductors

We explore the calculation of the elastic properties of zinc-blende and wurtzite semiconductors using two different approaches: one based on stress and the other on total energy as a function of strain. The calculations are carried out within the framework of density functional theory in the local density approximation, with the plane wave-based package vasp. We use AlN as a test system, with some results also shown for selected other materials (C, Si, GaAs and GaN). Differences are found in convergence rate between the two methods, especially in low symmetry cases, where there is a much slower convergence for total energy calculations with respect to the number of plane waves and k points used. The stress method is observed to be more robust than the total energy method with respect to the residual error in the elastic constants calculated for different strain branches in the systems studied.
The effect of market-to-book ratio, asset structure, and earning after tax on the level of leverage in non-financial companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange 2007-2012

The theory of capital structure has experienced remarkable development. This development enables companies to have many options to consider the external factors in determining various compositions of the companies’ debts and equities. In this study, the researcher uses theoretical basis of Market Timing Theory (MTT) introduced by Baker and Wurgler (2002). The result of this study indicates that marketto-book ratio has a negative effect on the level of company leverage. This is also proven on the factors of earning after tax and asset structure of the company. The implication of this study is that when the company obtains lower level of leverage, there will be overvalue on the stock price, and it would be the right time for the company to release the shares.
Patient satisfaction in our initial experience with endonasal endoscopic non-laser dacryocystorhinostomy

background/aims Endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR) is now a well-established procedure to relieve nasolacrimal duct obstruction. In the past, attempts have been made to comment on the anatomical success of the procedure. However, no studies have been conducted to evaluate patient satisfaction with the EN non-laser DCR procedure in comparison with the surgeon's experience. methods Records of patients undergoing EN-DCR and external DCR (ET-DCR) surgery were reviewed. A telephone questionnaire was used to assess patient satisfaction with both procedures. Data were analyzed with Fisher's exact test and the chi-square test. results Twenty primary EN-DCR's and 16 revision EN-DCR's were performed by the same surgeon (RM) over a three-year period. At last review, 89% of ET-DCR and 75% of EN-DCR procedures were noted to have a patent sac washout performed in the eye clinic. A telephonic interview revealed no significant difference between the surgical outcome [15/20 (75%)] and patient satisfaction [14/20 (70%)] with the primary EN-DCR procedure. Patient satisfaction with revision EN-DCR [10/16 (63%)] was slightly poorer than the surgical outcome recorded for revision EN-DCR [12/16 (75%)] but this was also not statistically significant. Telephonic interview was possible for 42/64 (66%) patients undergoing primary external ET-DCR's and a total of 36/42 (86%) patients were satisfied with the procedure. Patient age, laterality, duration of symptoms, previous ocular procedures or preexisting ocular disease and associated ENT procedures did not alter the surgical result or patient satisfaction in either group. conclusions This study suggests that patient satisfaction with endoscopic endonasal non-laser DCR for primary or revision DCR surgery is comparable to that with the external-DCR technique since there was no significant difference in patient satisfaction between the two groups of patients. Patient perception of their symptomatic improvement was lower (though not statistically significant) in relation to the final clinical assessment of the outcome of both primary and revision EN-DCR.
Cardiac markers into the new millennium

of landmark papers (with accompanying editorials) on interventions in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and the relationship of these interventions to cardiac markers.8,9 Two consensus documents on the use of cardiac markers for the investigation of patients with ACS have also been produced, one by the National Academy of Clinical Biochemists (NACB) 10 and one by the International Federation of Clinical Chemists (IFCC). 11 Both consensus documents are consistent (as they are related) although one (NACB) has a t ransat lantic and the other ( IFCC) a more cosmopolitan flavour. Both recommend an overall strategy for cardiac markers but questions remain. Can these recommendations be translated into UK clinical practice? Have developments occurred since the original documents were written that make them more or less relevant? Both documents suggest standards about choice of markers, sample timing strategies and targets for turn-around time (TAT). The first and most important feature is the use of the term ‘acute coronary syndromes’. It is no longer clinical practice to divide patients into acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or not. Management of patients with suspected acute ischaemic heart disease (IHD) no longer distinguishes between non-Q-wave AMI and unstable angina. The concept of the dynamic progression of an active unstable plaque as the genesis of both unstable angina and myocardial infarction is well accepted. This in turn means that there will be a complete spectrum of coronary artery diseases determined by total plaque burden and plaque stability with the presentation dependant on plaque activity, plaque location and degree of stenosis. A wide range of diagnostic testing strategies is still in use in the UK (Owen A, personal communication). Nearly all laboratories measure creatine kinase (CK) but the use of CK-MB isoenzyme measurement is limited, despite the evidence for superior clinical and diagnost ic sensitivity.12,13,14,15,16 The number of laboratories offering measurement of CK-MB mass, the method of choice,17 is low. Similarly, there is a variety of sampling strategies, with many laboratories recommending daily measurement of cardiac enzymes. Two factors seem to have produced the present situation. Firstly, the cost and convenience of CKMB measurement. Only recently have methods for CK-MB mass become available that do not require a dedicated analyser but can be run on a routine automated immunoassay platform. This has been accompanied by a fall in test cost. Secondly, there has been a lack of perceived clinical value of newer tests and of the benefit of more rapid diagnostic strategies. How far do the publications mentioned above address these issues and how far away is the UK from an acceptable standard of clinical practice?
Proposal Coupled Semi-Supervised Learning

Semi-supervised machine learning methods have shown promise toward allowing the learning of accurate classifiers with much less human effort than traditional supervised methods. However, semi-supervised learning does not always help, and can often even harm the performance of the learned model. This thesis argues that the effectiveness of semi-supervised learning can be greatly improved by learning many functions at once in a coupled manner. Given knowledge about constraints between functions to be learned (e.g., f1(x)→ ¬f2(x)), forcing the models that are learned to obey these constraints can be a much more constrained, and therefore easier, set of learning problems. In experimental work, we focus on the problem of extracting factual knowledge from the Web. This problem is an ideal case study for the general problems that we study because there is an abundance of unlabeled web page data available, and because thousands or millions of functions are discussed on the web. We discuss preliminary work on a system that demonstrates the benefit of coupled semi-supervised learning of 30 category and relation classifiers when run on 200 million web pages. We then present proposed work that explores how to run this system indefinitely, how to better model the world that is discussed on the web, and theoretical analysis of coupled semi-supervised learning.
Impact of network topology optimization on power system reliability

Due to the increasing power demand and the aging equipment, the electric power grid is faced with pressing challenges for maintaining its power supply reliability in an efficient and economical manner. Network topology optimization (NTO) is a promising, cost-effective method to improve the operational flexibility and the overall reliability of power systems. In this study, NTO is incorporated into the conventional reliability evaluation framework, and case studies are conducted based on a representative reliability test system. The simulation results demonstrate that the overall power system reliability could be improved assuming NTO is incorporated into the power system operation procedure. This study could offer some insights into improving power supply reliability by more fully utilizing the existing assets in a power system.
Consumer Response to Promotional Deals

P ROMOTIONAL DEALS provide one means of increasing sales of a product. Companies face the problem of allocating resources to promotional deals versus other activities aimed at increasing sales. In order to make optimal allocations, information is needed concerning the response of consumers to alternative promotional activities. " The purpose of this article is to report results of a study which measured the response of consumers to promotional deals for dairy products. The following types of promotional deals were analyzed: instore specials, coupons, multiple-item discounts, and free gifts. Consumer panel data were used to analyze household purchases over time, during periods when purchases were made on a promotional deal and when they were not. The research methods followed may be of interest to other researchers; the findings with respect to dairy products also may apply to many other products. The specific objectives of the study were: • To determine the extent to which consumption of various dairy products is influenced by deals.
An exploratory investigation of user involvement in new service development

Due to major structural changes in the service sector, many service managers are recognizing the need to continually develop new services that are timely and responsive to user needs. Thus, user input and involvement in new service development are an important area of inquiry. Although there has been a resurgence of academic and practitioner interest in new service development, there is a dearth of research on how users are involved in new service development. This study first combines insights from extant literature and exploratory interviews with practitioners to identify four key elements of user involvement, including objectives, stages, intensity, and modes of involvement, and then investigates these four elements in 12 service firms. Based on the findings, the author develops an inventory of activities that needs to be carried out in involving users in a new service development project.