Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bank Cost Efficiency and Output Specification

There is a longstanding controversy over precisely what it is that banks produce. However, there is little evidence on the sensitivity of bank cost efficiency results when different output definitions are applied. This paper does exactly that. In particular, we compare nonparametric efficiency scores yielded by two output specifications, one mainly identified with the asset approach and the other which also considers deposits as output. Results show that distributions of efficiency scores, estimated nonparametrically by means of kernel smoothing, vary greatly. In addition, firms' positions relative to the mean change according to either output definition, and results do not remain constant over time.
Contracts to motivate R&D investment in supply chain under double moral hazard condition

In this paper, we model a manufacturer that contracts with one designer. When the designer's R&D investment and manufacturer' R&D investment both are unobservable information, the manufacturer and designer may incur moral hazard after contracting. The manufacturer designs the revenue sharing contract in order to reduce the double moral hazard. We find that the fraction of supply chain revenue the designer keeps only depended on his degree of important in outcome. By reasonable distributed supply chain revenue the contract can coordinate the supply chain system. However, the manufacturer must give more fraction of revenue to designer than its contribution and the system's first-best R&D cannot be achieved.
Bayesian multi-armed bandit framework for multi-band auction based dynamic spectrum access in multi-user decentralized networks

Dynamic spectrum access (DSA) paradigm has shown significant potential to improve the electromagnetic spectrum utilization. For DSA in the multi-user decentralized networks, frequency band characterization and allocation among unlicensed users is a non-trivial task and various decision making policies (DMPs) have been proposed recently. Though auction based DMPs have shown to offer better performance than others, there is still a significant gap between the throughput of the decentralized DMPs and centralized or cooperative DMPs. In this paper, we propose a DMP for multi-user decentralized network comprising of Bayesian multi-armed bandit (MAB) framework for frequency band characterization and multi-band auction mechanism using Distributed Bipartite Matching Algorithm for frequency band allocation. The proposed Bayesian MAB framework makes the frequency band characterization accurate and faster thereby minimizing the selection of sub-optimal bands as well as the frequency band switching. Simulation results validate the superiority of the proposed DMP over existing state-of-the-art DMPs.
Inactivation of prosurvival Bcl-2 proteins activates Bax/Bak through the outer mitochondrial membrane

In this study, O'Neill et al. used genome editing to generate cells deficient for all eight proapoptotic BH3-only proteins (OctaKO) and cells that lack the entire Bcl-2 family (Bcl-2 allKO). Their findings suggest that the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM), not BH3-only proteins or p53/Rb, is the direct activator of Bax/Bak following BH3-only-mediated neutralization of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins.
UrbanSense: An urban-scale sensing platform for the Internet of Things

A critical step towards smarter and safer cities is to endow them with the abilities to massively gather a wide variety of data sets and to automatically feed those data to decision support tools and applications that leverage artificial intelligence. We present UrbanSense, a platform deployed on the streets of a mid-size European city (Porto, Portugal) to collect key environmental data. The main innovations of UrbanSense are (1) design for affordability and extensibility, (2) its ability to leverage heterogeneous networks to send the data to the cloud (using both real-time and delay-tolerant communications), and (3) its Internet of Things integration to expose the data streams to smart city tools and applications. Beyond discussing the design choices, we present operational results for 6 months of operation and give a detailed account of the challenges faced by the successful deployment of urban sensing technologies in the wild.
Development of CNC prototype for the characterization of the nanoparticle release during physical manipulation of nanocomposites

ABSTRACT This work focuses on the release of nanoparticles from commercially used nanocomposites during machining operations. A reliable and repeatable method was developed to assess the intentionally exposure to nanoparticles, in particular during drilling. This article presents the description and validation of results obtained from a new prototype used for the measurement and monitoring of nanoparticles in a controlled environment. This methodology was compared with the methodologies applied in other studies. Also, some preliminary experiments on drilling nanocomposites are included. Size, shape and chemical composition of the released nanoparticles were investigated in order to understand their hazard potential. No significant differences were found in the amount of nanoparticles released between samples with and without nanoadditives. Also, no chemical alteration was observed between the dust generated and the bulk material. Finally, further developments of the prototype are proposed.
Increased serum maternal levels of the HER2 oncoprotein p105 ectodomain in preeclampsia

Abstract HER2/ERBB2 protein is a 185 kDa transmembrane growth factor receptor whose extracellular domain, a 105 kDa fragment (p105), can be released from cell surfaces by proteolytic cleavage. The aim of our study was to compare serum p105 concentrations in normal and pathological pregnancies and to determine whether any correlation exists between preeclampsia and p105 levels. Serum p105 was assayed in 96 nonpregnant women and 89 pregnant women (26 normotensive, 14 normotensive with a history of preeclampsia or fetal hypotrophy, 10 with chronic hypertension, 10 with gestational hypertension and 29 with preeclampsia). Median serum p105 levels (median; 95% confidence interval) were higher in the preeclampsia group (13.9 μg/l; 12.8–16.1 μg/l) than in the normotensive (11.7 μg/l; 10.6μ13.3 μg/l; p<0.05) or non-pregnant groups (9.3 μg/l; 8.9–9.6 μg/l; p<0.001). There were no significant differences between the other pregnancy groups. In the normotensive group, serum p105 was correlated with the number of gestations (r=0.46; p<0.05), parity (r=0.39; p<0.05) and placenta weight (r=0.61; p<0.05). In preeclamptic women, serum p105 correlated with parity (r=0.46; p<0.05). Serum p105 concentrations above 11.9 μg/l were associated with a high odds ratio (OR) for onset of preeclampsia (after adjustment for parity OR=9.0; 95% CI=2.3–36.0; p<0.005). Preeclampsia is associated with increased serum p105 concentrations, which may be related to increased fetomaternal cell traffic.
Bacillus subtilis SpoIIID protein binds to two sites in the spoVD promoter and represses transcription by sigmaE RNA polymerase

The Bacillus subtilis spoVD gene encodes a penicillin-binding protein required for spore morphogenesis. SpoIIID is a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein that activates or represses the transcription of many different genes. We have defined the spoVD promoter region and demonstrated that it is recognized by sigmaE RNA polymerase in vitro and that SpoIIID represses spoVD transcription. Two strong SpoIIID-binding sites were mapped in the spoVD promoter region, one overlapping the -35 region and the other encompassing the -10 region and the transcriptional start site.
Gender Issues and Challenges of Fisherwomen to Become an Entrepreneur in Kerala

In fishermen family in Kerala, the male fishermen are actively involved with fishing activities. But due to the uncertainties prevailing in the fishing sector there is no guaranteed income of them. The responsibility of household management-food, childcare, children's education, family health, sanitation, financial management and the responsibility of getting and repaying debts will be mostly on the women's shoulders. Fisherwomen from fishermen community, who try to enter an industry facing various problems, after mechanization the intensification of multi-day fishing, the household responsibility of fisher women has increased to a greater extent. The women fisher folk of the fishing sector in the real force behind the fisher folk to cater the domestic needs. The geographical focus of the study is Kerala. The study is an attempt to document the issues and difficulties that are addressed by fisherwomen in the context of entrepreneurship. This conceptual study aims to describe the problems faced by the women entrepreneurs in the fishermen community and describe the role of education for the empowerment of them. Keywords: Fishermen Community, Fisherwomen, Entrepreneurship, Education
Evolution of mammalian migrations for refuge, breeding, and food

Abstract Many organisms migrate between distinct habitats, exploiting variable resources while profoundly affecting ecosystem services, disease spread, and human welfare. However, the very characteristics that make migration captivating and significant also make it difficult to study, and we lack a comprehensive understanding of which species migrate and why. Here we show that, among mammals, migration is concentrated within Cetacea and Artiodactyla but also diffusely spread throughout the class (found in 12 of 27 orders). We synthesize the many ecological drivers of round‐trip migration into three types of movement—between breeding and foraging sites, between breeding and refuge sites, and continuous tracking of forage/prey—each associated with different traits (body mass, diet, locomotion, and conservation status). Our results provide only partial support for the hypothesis that migration occurs without phylogenetic constraint. Furthermore, our findings suggest that categorizing migration into these three types may aid predictions of migrants’ responses to environmental changes.
Investigations of the efficacy of European HINI- and H3N2-based swine influenza vaccines against the novel HI N2 subtype

The efficacy of a commercial swine influenza vaccine based on A/New Jersey/8/76 (Hi N1) and A/Port Chalmers/i /73 (H3N2) strains was tested against challenge with an HI N2 swine influenza virus. Influenza virus-seronegative pigs were vaccinated twice with the vaccine when they were four and eight weeks old, or with the same vaccine supplemented with an Hi N2 component. Control pigs were left unvaccinated. Three weeks after the second vaccination, all the pigs were challenged intratracheally with the swine influenza strain Sw/Gent/7625/99 (Hi N2). The commercial vaccine induced cross-reactive antibodies to Hi N2, as detected by the virus neutralisation (VN) assay, but VN antibody titres were 18 times lower than in the pigs vaccinated with the HIN2-supplemented vaccine. The challenge produced severe respiratory signs in nine of 10 unvaccinated control pigs, which developed high HIN2 virus titres in the lungs 24 and 72 hours after the challenge. Vaccination with the commercial vaccine resulted in milder respiratory signs, but Hi N2 virus replication was not prevented. Mean virus titres in the pigs vaccinated with the commercial vaccine were 1-5 logio lower than in the controls at 24 hours but no different at 72 hours. In contrast, the HI N2-supplemented vaccine prevented respiratory disease in most pigs. There was a 4-5 log10 reduction in the mean virus titre at 24 hours in the pigs vaccinated with this vaccine, and no detectable virus replication at 72 hours. These data indicate that the commercial swine influenza vaccine did not confer adequate protection against the H1 N2 subtype.
Assessment of Striatal Dopamine D2/D3 Receptor Availability with PET and 18F-Desmethoxyfallypride: Comparison of Imaging Protocols Suited for Clinical Routine

Assessment of striatal dopamine receptor availability with 18F-desmethoxyfallypride PET is of high diagnostic utility in parkinsonism. The present study was undertaken to define the optimal clinical scan protocol with regard to quantification accuracy and scan time. Methods: Fourteen patients with parkinsonian syndromes underwent 18F-desmethoxyfallypride PET over 90 min. Volume-of-interest analyses were performed after spatial normalization, with the right and left caudate nuclei and putamina as target regions and the cerebellum as reference region. The estimate of target region binding potential (relative to nondisplaceable radioligand in tissue) (BPND) provided by the 2-step simplified reference tissue model (SRTM2) served as the reference standard. Additional analyses included the multilinear reference tissue model 2 (MRTM2), noninvasive graphical analyses, and single-scan analyses (peak-equilibrium analysis at 35–65 min [PEA]; pseudoequilibrium analysis at 60–90 min [PsEA]). Results: SRTM2 and MRTM2 yielded virtually identical results (mean BPND difference = 0.1% ± 0.5%, r2 = 1.0). Noninvasive graphical analyses with and without inclusion of the k2′ term were affected by a small BPND bias (2.5% ± 3.6% and −5.0% ± 6.7%, respectively), although correlations with SRTM2 were still excellent (r2 = 1.0 and 0.98, respectively). In turn, single-scan analyses suffered from limited precision (PEA, mean BPND bias = 0.7% ± 13.0%, r2 = 0.90) or a considerable positive bias (PsEA, 19.2% ± 7.1%, r2 = 0.98). Shortening scan time to 70 and 60 min resulted in an acceptable average BPND change (<5% decline) for SRTM2/MRTM2 and graphical analysis with inclusion of the k2′ term, respectively. Conclusion: Kinetic reference tissue model analyses of 18F-desmethoxyfallypride PET data offer the least biased results at a well-tolerable scan duration and should thus be pursued whenever possible. Single-scan analyses may be pragmatic alternatives that, however, suffer from a relevant positive bias (PsEA) or limited precision (PEA).
Modelling the Volatility of Stock Markets

The main goal of this thesis is to identify sudden breaks in volatility and determine an impact of these breaks on the volatility of stock market. For the propose of this thesis, we use weekly time series of Chinese and U.S. stock markets, covering the period of 2000 ~2014 years. And then, the primary aim will be fulfilled by 3 steps. In first stage, in order to detecting sudden breaks in both stock markets, we will utilize data samples with a help of the Iterated Cumulative Sums of Squares or ICSS algorithm. In this thesis, Chinese stock market is represented by Shenzhen Component Index, while American stock market is approximated by Dow Jones Industrial Average or DJIA Index. Next step, we will evaluate an impact of sudden breaks on volatility persistence or long memory, by using General Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) mdoel and Fractional Integrated General Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (FIGARCH) models. Finally, there will be an in-sample test for fitting degree. And the forecasting ability would be presented as the performance of comparison between actual variances and expected variances, which is created by above-mentioned conditional heteroskedastic variance models.
Influence of eccentric actions on skeletal muscle adaptations to resistance training.

Three different training regimens were performed to study the influence of eccentric muscle actions on skeletal muscle adaptive responses to heavy resistance exercise. Middle-aged males performed the leg press and leg extension exercises two days each week. The resistance was selected to induce failure within six to twelve repetitions of each set. Group CON/ECC (n = 8) performed coupled concentric and eccentric actions while group CON (n = 8) used concentric actions only. They did four or five sets of each exercise. Group CON/CON (n = 10) performed twice as many sets with only concentric actions. Eight subjects did not train and served as controls. Tissue samples were obtained from m. vastus lateralis using the biopsy technique before and after 19 weeks of training, and after four weeks of detraining. Histochemical analyses were performed to assess fibre type composition, fibre area and capillarization. Training increased (P less than 0.05) Type IIA and decreased (P less than 0.05) Type IIB fibre percentage. Only group CON/ECC increased Type I area (14%, P less than 0.05). Type II area increased (P less than 0.05) 32 and 27%, respectively, in groups CON/ECC and CON/CON, but not in group CON. Mean fibre area increased (P less than 0.05) 25 and 20% in groups CON/ECC and CON/CON, respectively. Capillaries per fibre increased (P less than 0.05) equally for Type I and Type II fibres. Capillaries per fibre area for both fibre types, however, increased (P less than 0.05) only in groups CON and CON/CON. The changes in fibre type composition and capillary frequency were manifest after detraining. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The impact of initial cancer stage on the incidence of venous thromboembolism: the Scandinavian Thrombosis and Cancer (STAC) Cohort

Essentials Impact of cancer stage on venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk is not well‐known in all cancers. The Scandinavian Thrombosis and Cancer Cohort provides person‐time data and validated VTEs. Impact of cancer stage on VTE incidence tended to vary with cancer type. Cancer stage may not per se be a risk factor for VTE in all cancer types.
Reconceptualizing models of delirium education: findings of a Grounded Theory study

ABSTRACT Background: Effectiveness of educational interventions targeted at improving delirium care is limited by implementation barriers. Studying factors which shape learning needs can overcome these knowledge transfer barriers. This in-depth qualitative study explores learning needs of hospital staff relating to care needs of the confused older patients. Methods: Fifteen research participants from across the healthcare spectrum working within an acute care setting were interviewed. Five focus groups were undertaken with patients, carers, and mental health specialists. A Grounded Theory methodology was adopted and data were analyzed thematically in parallel to collection until theoretical saturation was reached. Results: Eight categories of practice gap emerged: ownership of the confused patient, negative attitudes, lack of understanding of how frightened the patient is in hospital, carer partnerships, person-centered care, communication, recognition of cognitive impairment and specific clinical needs (e.g. capacity assessments). Conceptually, the learning needs were found to be hierarchically related. Moreover, a vicious circle relating to the core learning needs of ownership, attitudes and patient's fear emerged. A patient with delirium may be frightened in an alien environment and then negatively labeled by staff who subsequently wish for their removal, thereby worsening the patient's fear. Discussion: These findings reconceptualize delirium education approaches suggesting a need to focus interventions on core level practice gaps. This fresh perspective on education, away from disease-based delirium knowledge toward work-based patient, team and practice knowledge, could lead to more effective educational strategies to improve delirium care.
Yttrium-90 ibritumomab tiuxetan as a single agent in patients with pretreated B-cell lymphoma: evaluation of the long-term outcome.

BACKGROUND Based on historical data on the role of radioimmunotherapy (RIT) in pretreated non-Hodgkin lymphoma, we reviewed our hospital's clinical database. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 2005 and 2008, 57 patients previously treated with at least 1 rituximab-containing chemotherapy were treated with Yttrium-90-labeled ibritumomab tiuxetan ((90)Y-IT). The median number of pretreatments was 3 (range, 1-9 pretreatments). A total of 46 patients had stage III/IV disease (31 with bone marrow involvement); 6 had bulky disease. According to histology, 53 were follicular lymphoma (FL), 2 were marginal zone lymphoma, and 2 were small lymphocytic lymphoma. RESULTS Overall response rate was 93% (53 of 57); complete response (CR) rate was 70% (40 of 57). Twenty-six of 40 patients (65%) who obtained a CR are in continuous CR (CCR) with a median follow-up of 20 months (range, 10-42 months); 4 of them still maintain their CCR after 36 months. All patients achieving a CCR had FL, and 21 of them with stage III/IV disease; 12 of 26 had been heavily pretreated (>or= 3 previous treatments), and 2 had had autologous stem cell transplantation. Toxicity was primarily hematologic and mostly transient; no grade 4 extrahematologic toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION This study confirms the safety and high efficacy of (90)Y-IT RIT in heavily pretreated FL patients, with the possibility of having a subset of long-term responders.
Measurement of Electrical Conditions of Rechargeable Batteries

Batteries are used in a wide area, from mobile phones to electric vehicles. Batteries are used in electric cars, satellites and space systems, communications systems, defense systems, renewable energy sources, and many different application areas. Condition monitoring of batteries and storing measurement data are very important issues. Manufacturers, researchers, maintenance services, and so on use special software and database for viewing and saving measurement data. It is important to measure the data with high accuracy, view with graphs, and save these data systematically. In this study, software is developed and a database is designed to monitor the battery conditions online. This software is developed in C# programming language, and SQL Server is used as database. Current, voltage, resistance, power, temperature of the battery, and ambient temperature are measurement values. Some battery experiments take very long time and someone should wait near the test system to prevent dangers such as explosion and fire. A wide variety of electrical battery experiments can be done without waiting next to the test system with the proposed software and database.
Structural Basis for Double-Stranded RNA Processing by Dicer

The specialized ribonuclease Dicer initiates RNA interference by cleaving double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) substrates into small fragments about 25 nucleotides in length. In the crystal structure of an intact Dicer enzyme, the PAZ domain, a module that binds the end of dsRNA, is separated from the two catalytic ribonuclease III (RNase III) domains by a flat, positively charged surface. The 65 angstrom distance between the PAZ and RNase III domains matches the length spanned by 25 base pairs of RNA. Thus, Dicer itself is a molecular ruler that recognizes dsRNA and cleaves a specified distance from the helical end.