Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Splicing behaviour and exotic mutations in the DMD gene

DMD is the largest gene in the human genome, spanning over 2.2Mb of the X chromosome, and more than 99% of the gene content is intronic sequence. DMD encodes dystrophin, a crucial protein for protecting muscle fibres from mechanical damage. Mutations to DMD can cause any one of a family of diseases, known as the dystrophinopathies. The most severe of these is Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive and global muscle wasting disease that is fatal to affected males in early life. Therapies for dystrophinopathies have progressed substantially in recent years, but at present there is no cure. The projects comprising my MPhil research aim to improve our understanding of splicing and mutation in DMD transcripts. DMD splicing is necessarily complex due to the size of the gene and its multiple spliceoforms. As such, the full effects of a given mutation within the gene can be unpredictable. Because the first step of describing a mutation should be elucidation of the sequence, a new method (Fractal PCR) has been devised for efficiently determining the intronic breakpoints of whole-exon deletions in DMD. Existing research into DMD and NF1 pseudoexons was used to inform PCR designs, and this strategy successfully discovered rare alternative transcripts of these two genes in normal human RNA. For the bioinformatics component of this project, results were compiled for hundreds of putative exon-skipping antisense oligomers (AOs) and a search was conducted for patterns in the splice factor (SF) motifs targeted or avoided by the most effective of these molecules. The intent of this work was to generate a predictive model for optimal AO design. While the power of this model was equivocal in some regards, the characteristics of the SF motifs identified as targets unexpectedly point to a clear link between DMD transcript splicing and myotonic dystrophy.
Effects of Simultaneous Liquid or Gel Sodium Hypochlorite Irrigation on the Cyclic Fatigue of Two Single-File Nickel-Titanium Instruments

To evaluate the effect of simultaneous liquid or gel sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigation on cyclic fatigue of F6 SkyTaper (F6ST) and OneCurve (OC) single files, 180 new 25/0.06 F6ST and OC files were divided into 6 groups (n = 15) for each brand. Groups 1 and 4 included new instruments not exposed to NaOCl at 20 °C and 37 °C, respectively. Groups 2 and 5 included files activated with liquid NaOCl at 20 °C and 37 °C, respectively. Groups 3 and 6 consisted of instruments tested with NaOCl gel at 20 °C and 37 °C, respectively. Instruments were subjected to a fatigue test using a novel customized device. Data were expressed as time to fracture (TtF) and statistically analyzed (p < 0.05) after checking their normality through the Shapiro–Wilk test. Because they were normally distributed, 2-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey multiple comparison post-hoc test were used. Time to fracture of all tested instruments decreased at 37 °C (p < 0.05). At 20 °C, NaOCl improved TtF of F6ST and OC (p < 0.05). NaOCl liquid increased TtF of F6ST (p < 0.05) in comparison with gel, while there was no difference between the two formulations for OC. At 37 °C, both NaOCl formulations had no significant influence on TtF for F6ST, while they increased TtF of OC (p < 0.05). NaOCl improved the cyclic fatigue resistance of OC, independently of the temperature, while for F6ST the negative impact of higher temperature reduced the irrigant benefits.
Augmenting JPEG2000 With Wavelet Coefficient Prediction

This paper presents a novel modification to the Discrete Wavelet Transform used in the JPEG2000 standard. The modification utilises a learning-based method to predict the detail coefficients from the approximation coefficients at each level of the transform, allowing for higher compression rates while maintaining most of JPEG2000’s appealing features. A coefficient prediction method based on single-image super resolution literature has been implemented and tested to assess the potential of the compression system. We have observed that the accuracy of the prediction is highly dependent on the content of the test image, with certain features being highly predictable and others not predictable at all. In the best performing test images, we see a quality gain of up to 1.5dB or equivalently a reduction in bit-rate of up to 14% over the JPEG2000 standard.
Effect of Some Thermodynamic Properties of Cutting Fluids on Machinability of Carbon Steel

Cutting fluids are used to reduce heat generated during machining, however some have been discovered to pose health challenges hence the search for viable alternatives. In this paper, three machining conditions (dry machining, wet machining with soluble oil and wet machining with used-engine oil) were conducted on high carbon steel, with a sole aim of investigating the suitability of engine oil as an alternative to soluble oil. Measurements related to effective use of oil as metal cutting fluids were determined and the machining parameters used were cutting speed (750 – 1750 rpm), feed rate (40 – 120 mm/rev), and depth of cut (0.1 – 0.3 mm). The experimental procedure was formulated using Minitab software version 18 and the machining responses investigated were maximum temperature at the cutting interface, surface roughness, and tool wear rate (TWR). Thermodynamic properties investigated include, flashpoint, specific heat capacity, viscosity and density. The experimental results showed that cutting temperature reduced from an average of 440oK during dry machining to 369.8oK (16% improvement) during machining with used-engine oil and 362.6oK (18% improvement) during machining with soluble oil. The surface roughness produced was generally higher while machining with used-engine oil with an average improvement of 39% in surface integrity. However, when soluble oil was used as cutting fluid, average improvement in surface integrity increased to 70%. Hence, used-engine oil offered impressive lubricating and cooling properties and could replace soluble oil as a cutting fluid during machining.Keywords—Cutting Fluid, Cutting Speed, Machining, Surface Roughness, Tool Wear
Segment disclosure quality and relevance under IFRS Vs. U.S. GAAP

Both IFRS (IFRS 8) and the United States (U.S.) GAAP (SFAS 131) use similar approach for reporting segment information as a part of annual financial statements. Large and multinational firms that operate in more than one operating segment are required by IFRS and the U.S. GAAP to provide financial information about their operating segments in the notes to the annual financial statements using the “management approach. ” However, the primary difference between these two pronouncements is how the management approach is implemented. Using a sample of foreign companies cross listed on the U.S. stock exchanges, we test for differences in segment financial reporting under the two sets of financial standards and how this information is valued by the market. We find significant differences in the quality and quantity of segment disclosure made by our sample firms during the fiscal year 2017 under the two sets of accounting standards. We also find that market values the choice of accounting standards as well as the overall quality/quantity of the segment disclosures. Specifically, we find that the decrease in the informativeness of earnings with IFRS as the choice of accounting standards for our sample firms. Additionally, we also find that the predictability and informativeness of earnings is increasing in the quality/quantity of the segment disclosure of the sample firm.
Knowledge Sharing: A bibliographic Report on the Research Developed during 2008 – 2019

Abstract This article aims to provide a bibliographic report on the research developed during 2008 – 2019 regarding knowledge sharing. In order to achieve this goal, a multi-stage methodology is developed. First of all, a documentary study is employed; this focuses on 3820 articles published on SCOPUS and Web of Science, during 2008 – 2019. Secondly, a quantitative analysis is developed in order to emphasize the chronological evolution of the research topic and the main journals that served as a vehicle for propagating the research regarding knowledge sharing. Last but not least, a qualitative analysis is performed in order to create a knowledge map. The results prove that: (i) the analyzed articles regarding knowledge sharing are published in 461 different journals but more than a quarter can be found in 19 journals; (ii) the number of studies increased considerably, especially in the last five years; (iii) 75% of the research production is concentrated in 16 countries and the main research polls are represented by the United States of America (18.34%), United Kingdom (9.47%), and China (6.48%); (iv) the knowledge sharing research concentrates on topics, such as: moderation, mediation, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, environmental management, innovation, absorptive capacity, and community; and (v) the research gaps that should be filled by the future studies focus on: supply chain management, crisis management, corporate venturing, and human resource management. The results have both theoretical and practical implications. On the one hand, they extend the literature on knowledge sharing by providing a bibliographic report on how the research regarding knowledge sharing evolved during 2008 – 2019, and they also bring forward the main research gaps. On the other hand, they provide a knowledge map for the policy-makers which can help them decide how to foster knowledge sharing inside and outside the organization.
Alles Balkan? Divergierende Entwürfe des Kulturraums ›Jugoslawien‹ in ausgewählten Romanen der aktuellen deutschsprachigen Migrationsliteratur

In this paper I aim to analyse the many dimensions of literary depictions of Yugoslavia in recent German prose fiction, focusing on three novels which all describe migrations between various Yugoslavian countries and the German-speaking world. My particular focus lies in the ways in which aspects of perceived own or foreign identity correlate with descriptions of familiar and unfamiliar (social) spaces. This leads to an analysis of how the novels in ques tion define culture as well as cultural identity – both challenging concepts, especially under the precondition of conflicting collective identities like those that came to be highlighted in the Yugoslav Wars.
Charakterisierung struktureller und funktioneller Konsequenzen posttranslationaler Modifikationen von kleinen GTPasen

Posttranslationale Modifikationen sind ein weit verbreiteter Mechanismus, um die Funktion von Proteinen zu erweitern und zu modulieren. Kleine GTPasen konnen dabei durch sekretierte bakterielle Enzyme posttranslational modifiziert werden. In dieser Arbeit wurden die Auswirkungen dieser posttranslationalen Modifikationen auf kleine GTPasen funktionell und strukturell untersucht und erstmals ein neuer Regulationsmechanismus des Aktivitatszustandes der kleinen GTPase Rab1 beschrieben
Conservation Challenges and Research Needs for Pacific Lamprey in the Columbia River Basin

The Pacific Lamprey Entosphenus tridentatus, an anadromous fish native to the northern Pacific Ocean and bordering freshwater habitats, has recently experienced steep declines in abundance and range contractions along the West Coast of North America. During the early 1990s, Native American tribes recognized the declining numbers of lamprey and championed their importance. In 2012, 26 entities signed a conservation agreement to coordinate and implement restoration and research for Pacific Lamprey. Regional plans have identified numerous threats, monitoring needs, and strategies to conserve and restore Pacific Lamprey during their freshwater life stages. Prime among these are needs to improve lamprey passage, restore freshwater habitats, educate stakeholders, and implement lamprey-specific research and management protocols. Key unknowns include range-wide trends in status, population dynamics, population delineation, limiting factors, and marine influences. We synthesize these key unknowns, with a focus on .
LEARNING STYLE DETECTION USING K-MEANS CLUSTERING

Learning theorist established the fact that learners are characterized according to their distinct learning styles. Investigating learners' learning style is important in the educational system in order to provide adaptivity and improve learning experience. Past researches have proposed various approaches to detect learning styles. Among unsupervised learning methods, the K-means clustering has emerged as a widely used method to predict patterns in data because of its simplicity. This paper evaluates the performance of K-means clustering in automatically detecting learners’ learning style in an online learning environment. The experimental results prove differences in learning thus characterizing learners based on learning style.
Phylogeny of the manta and devilrays (Chondrichthyes: mobulidae), with an updated taxonomic arrangement for the family

DNA sequence data from mitochondrial genomes and c . 1000 nuclear exons were analysed for a complete taxon sampling of manta and devilrays (Mobulidae) to estimate a current molecular phylogeny for the family. The resulting inferences were combined with morphological information to adopt an integrated approach to resolving the taxonomic arrangement of the family. The members of the genus Manta were found to consistently nest within the Mobula species and consequently the genus Manta is placed into the synonymy of Mobula . Mobula eregoodootenkee , M. japanica and M. rochebrunei were each found to be junior synonyms of M. kuhlii , M. mobular and M. hypostoma , respectively. The mitochondrial and nuclear tree topologies were in agreement except for the placement of M. tarapacana which was basal to all other mobulids in the nuclear exon analysis, but as the sister group to the M. alfredi – M. birostris – M. mobular clade in the mitochondrial genome analysis. Results from this study are used to a revise the taxonomy for the family Mobulidae. A single genus is now recognized (where there were previously two) and eight nominal species (where there were previously 11).
Impact of condition number on total sum rate for NOMA systems

In the fifth-generation mobile communications networks, several resource allocation techniques have been used, such as static allocation and dynamic algorithms (greedy or matching theory); this work proposes a new subcarrier allocation scheme based on the evaluation of the instantaneous behaviour of the wireless channel using the condition number of the channel matrix H . Simulation results reveal that the proposed scheme increases the total sum rate of the system, compared to their predecessors.
TRENDING PHRASES, NAMES, AND HASHTAGS RELATED TO COVID-19 IN THE PHILIPPINES: THE LANGUAGE OF SOCIAL CRISIS

A language is a coping tool that humans use for different functions in times of social crisis. This short article describes how Filipino phrases, names, and hashtags related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) developed. Following a qualitative method, it performs a content analysis of online posts archived on Twitter, a widely known microblogging social media site. The discussion of NCOV invented descriptors, COVID baby names, and KokoVID hashtag provided evidence as regards the humorous function, literary characteristic, and emotional tool of language in times of social crisis. It is suggested that further research should be conducted in other contexts to describe how language develops in times of social crisis.
Pseudocholinesterase Deficiency – Is Succinylcholine Still Needed to Facilitate Endotracheal Intubation?

Pseudocholinesterase (butyrylcholinesterase) deficiency is an inherited or acquired condition in which the serum pseudocholinesterase levels are absent or lower than normal. The enzyme is produced by the liver; decreased levels of the enzyme in an individual cause increased sensitivity to anesthetic agents, like succinylcholine and mivacurium. Pseudocholinesterase deficiency is caused by butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE) gene mutation, a gene that provides instructions for making the pseudocholinesterase enzyme. Succinylcholine is a depolarizing muscle relaxant that provides a quicker onset and a brief duration of muscle relaxation during general anesthesia. In this article, we would like to discuss a case report of prolonged intubation and ventilation in a patient with pseudocholinesterase deficiency and the necessity of succinylcholine during intubation in comparison to possible alternatives (rocuronium).
Working memory enhancement during early childhood based on the utilization of interactive gesture game-based learning technique

The use of human computer interaction is considered to be the most culturally and socially meritorious for the learning and playing activities of children. In this paper, a human interaction recognition system (HIRS) that includes gesture game-based learning is investigated for identifying its suitability and applicability in stimulation of working memory and primitive mathematical skills among the children in the early childhood period that ranges from 5 and 8 years. In the proposed human interaction recognition system, the hand gestures are facilitated by the user for the objective of controlling the computer system based on the information extracted from the user gestures.This proposed research was implemented in three phases using a quasi-experimental design that in turn incorporates pre-test and post-test for investigating the behavior of experimental and control group considered from the respondents. In the first phase, the initial evaluation of the learner’s skill is achieved. The second phase used the developed technology in order to identify diversified parameters in different dimensions that contribute towards the assessment of working memory and primitive mathematical capabilities. Finally, the third phase is responsible for actual evaluation. In the phases of evaluation, four working memory tests such as forward Corsi Blocking-Tapping test, backward Corsi Blocking-Tapping test, Forward Digit Span test and backwardDigit Span test was conducted. In addition, the evaluation was also conducted for assessing primitive mathematical skill of children using TEDI-MATH. The results confirmed that Gesture Interactive Game-Based Learning (GIGL) used by the children exhibited a predominant improvement in the working memory and primitive mathematical skills on par with their usual school activities.
Child Abuse in Schools of Pakistan: Exploring Reasons and Suggesting Measures

1. Headmistress, Government M.C Girls High School, Millat Colony Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan 2. Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Government Postgraduate College Samundri, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan 3. Lecturer, Department of Education, Government College for Women Peermahal, TTS, Punjab, Pakistan PAPER INFO ABSTRACT Received: May22, 2020 Accepted: August 25, 2020 Online: September 15, 2020 The Educational Managers, Teachers and Parents are worried to view a painful condition of child abuse in the schools of Pakistan. Protecting school going children from such maltreatment and evils are our basic and shared responsibility. Therefore the role of educators averting child abuse is more pivotal and radical. The present study explored four major dimensions of child abuse in primary schools. The Participants of the study were compromised of 27 educational managers and 23 parents of students, whereas the sample of participants was taken through convenience sampling method. The Focused Group Discussion and Semi structured interview sheets were used as instruments to collect the observations of participants. The results exposed that an increasing number of children were subjected to abuse on a regular basis in our schools. Findings also revealed that the physical abuse happened moderately while emotional abuse occurred more frequently. Moreover physiological and sexual abuse was the part of our schools.
Distribution and breeding ecology of the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca in Algeria

We conducted a survey of the distribution of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca across Algeria and analysed the influence of nest-site characteristics on nesting success at a Ramsar site, Lake Tonga. The species was found to occupy different wetlands (freshwater lakes, brackish marshes and salt lakes) across three major climatic belts (subhumid coastal strip, semi-arid Hauts Plateaux and arid Sahara). Mean clutch size of successful nests was 13.3 ± 6.0 eggs (N = 26) with a hatching rate of 74% for successful clutches. Nesting success was recorded for 44% of nests with clutch desertion (72.7%) accounting for the majority of failed clutches. Egg size of the study population, which breeds at the southern limit of the species’ range, was significantly smaller than that of its northerly counterparts. Clutch size was negatively related to egg size and positively associated with depth of water below the nest, suggesting that older, more experienced or high-quality birds monopolised the safest sites. Successful clutches were significantly associated with tall vegetation, suggesting that when nesting is carried out mainly on offshore floating islets, protection against aerial predators and heat stress determine nesting outcome. Conspecific brood parasitism was significantly and positively associated with deferred egg-laying and smaller egg size, suggesting an age-dependent mechanism.
Unethical Newsroom Behavior: Paradoxes and a Perfect Storm

ABSTRACT Unethical behavior in newsrooms has come to public attention, and despite the glare of publicity, it persists. This research examines the question of why newsrooms provide a context conducive to persistent unethical workplace behaviors. We conducted 25 in-depth interviews with reporters, editors, anchors, producers, and news executives. Sexual harassment has been in the public eye, but our informants also described other unethical workplace behaviors such as bullying, discrimination, and incivility. Behavioral ethics emerged as a theoretical lens to help interpret our data. Five explanatory themes arose: 1) conceiving of work solely as creating journalistic content; 2) toxic rituals, rites of passage, and norms; 3) high power differentials and acquiescent behavior; 4) ineffective organizational mechanisms; and 5) a disruptive industry context. Networks of complicity enabled the bad behavior, and together with the themes, created a perfect storm that permitted unethical behavior to persist. Two paradoxes resulted: 1) the ethics paradox in which journalists had high ethical sensitivity in reporting but were blind to unethical behavior within newsrooms and 2) the power paradox in which journalists experienced role conflict caused by the need for initiative, courage, independence, and resistance to intimidation in reporting versus the dependence, obedience, and acquiescence required within newsrooms.