Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stock Market Performance and the Macroeconomic Factors: Evidence From Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE)

Stock market as a main component of the capital market of an economy plays a vital role in determining the development of the economy. Macroeconomic factors cause significant fluctuations in the performance of the stock market. This study is aimed at identifying the impact of macroeconomic variables on the performance of the stock market in Sri Lanka. The five macroeconomic variables: real gross domestic production (RGDP), inflation (wholesale price index), money supply (M2), exchange rate (LKR/USD) and interest rate (Average weighted prime lending rate) were selected as independent variables for the study. The dependent variables were All Share Price Index (ASPI) and the market capitalization (MC) of Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), all data collected quarterly for the period 2004-2016. Johansen co-integration test, Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), and Granger causality models were utilized to derive conclusions. Co-integration was observed between the macroeconomic variables and the stock market performance. Long run causal relationship was noticed between the macroeconomic variables and the ASPI, and the long run equilibrium could be reached at a speed of 17.700%. Significant Short term causality was running from macroeconomic variables such as RGDP, inflation, money supply and interest rate to ASPI at 5% significance level, and inflation and exchange rate were the variables which had a positive influence on ASPI. Long term relationship was evidenced between the macroeconomic variables RGDP, inflation, money supply, exchange rate, interest rate and the market capitalization of CSE with the speed of adjustment of 19.500%. Significant short term causality was running from inflation and money supply to market capitalization of CSE at a significance level of 5%, and macroeconomic variables RGDP, money supply and interest rate had a negative influence on the market capitalization of CSE. Causality between, money supply and ASPI, inflation and ASPI, money supply and market capitalization, inflation and market capitalization were the observed bidirectional causalities. Unidirectional causalities were running from RGDP to ASPI and from interest rate to ASPI. The lower R-square values of 26.888% and 22.656% of the VECM models implied the performance of the stock market of Sri Lanka is affected by other macroeconomic factors in addition to the five selected macroeconomic variables taken for the study: firm specific factors and industry specific factors.
FRMD4A regulates epithelial polarity by connecting Arf6 activation with the PAR complex

The Par-3/Par-6/aPKC/Cdc42 complex regulates the conversion of primordial adherens junctions (AJs) into belt-like AJs and the formation of linear actin cables during epithelial polarization. However, the mechanisms by which this complex functions are not well elucidated. In the present study, we found that activation of Arf6 is spatiotemporally regulated as a downstream signaling pathway of the Par protein complex. When primordial AJs are formed, Par-3 recruits a scaffolding protein, termed the FERM domain containing 4A (FRMD4A). FRMD4A connects Par-3 and the Arf6 guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), cytohesin-1. We propose that the Par-3/FRMD4A/cytohesin-1 complex ensures accurate activation of Arf6, a central player in actin cytoskeleton dynamics and membrane trafficking, during junctional remodeling and epithelial polarization.
Metabolism of the food-derived carcinogen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine by lactating Fischer 344 rats and their nursing pups.

BACKGROUND An important class of dietary mutagens and carcinogens are the heterocyclic arylamine compounds that have been identified in a variety of cooked, protein-containing foods. Among these heterocyclic amines, 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (PhIP) is potentially the most important carcinogen for human cancer risk. We have recently observed that PhIP-derived radioactivity is excreted into the breast milk of lactating rats administered [3H]PhIP. PURPOSE To better assess the significance of breast milk as a route of exposure of the newborn to dietary heterocyclic amines, we examined the metabolites of PhIP in breast milk and in urine of nursing pups. METHODS Lactating Fischer 344 rats with 5-day-old pups were given a single oral dose of 10 mg/kg of [3H]PhIP. We collected milk from the dams and urine from the pups and then analyzed the samples for metabolites of PhIP, using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). PhIP-DNA adduct levels in the tissues of the pups were determined by 32P-postlabeling analysis. RESULTS Three radioactive peaks were observed by HPLC separation of milk samples: an unidentified early eluting peak, 4'-hydroxy-PhIP, and PhIP. Four metabolites and the parent compound were found in urine of the pups nursed by dams given radiolabeled PhIP: PhIP-4'-O-glucuronide, PhIP-4'-sulfate, 4'-hydroxy-PhIP, and N2-hydroxy-PhIP-N3-glucuronide. 4'-Hydroxy-PhIP and its conjugates contributed approximately 60% of the radioactivity found in the urine. By 32P-postlabeling analysis, PhIP-DNA adducts were detected in spleen, lung, heart, kidney, liver, and stomach of pups at mean levels ranging from 0.06 to 0.55 adducts/10(7) nucleotides. CONCLUSIONS The large percentage of 4-hydroxy-PhIP and its conjugates in the urine indicates that 5-day-old pups detoxify PhIP and further metabolize 4'-hydroxy-PhIP obtained from the breast milk. The presence of the glucuronide conjugate of N-hydroxy-PhIP in the urine of pups and the lack of detectable conjugate or N-hydroxylamine itself in breast milk suggest that PhIP from breast milk undergoes metabolic activation via N-hydroxylation in 5-day-old rat pups. This conclusion was further supported by the observation that hepatic S9 fractions from the pups activated PhIP to a mutagen in the Ames Salmonella mutagenicity assay and by the presence of PhIP-DNA adducts in the tissues of the pups. IMPLICATIONS The findings reported here may have carcinogenic and toxicologic implications for the offspring of women who breast-feed and consume a diet rich in cooked meat.
Validating dynamic assessment of triadic gaze for young children with severe disabilities.

PURPOSE This research investigated the use of a dynamic assessment (DA) to identify differences among young children with severe disabilities, which would predict progress in learning behaviors indicating coordinated joint attention (CJA). METHOD Six children 10-24 months of age were enrolled in a 16-week treatment for behaviors indicating CJA, specifically triadic gaze (TG), which is a 3-point gaze shift between object and adult. An initial static assessment documented the children's eligibility for the study and their baseline performance of TG. DA procedures were then implemented to determine each child's performance with examiner support in producing behaviors suggesting joint attention (i.e., tracking, gaze toward an object or an adult, scanning between objects, scanning an object and adult, and TG). RESULTS Results demonstrated differences among children during the DA via a DA score and a behavioral profile. These results were predictive of differences among children in subsequent learning of TG. CONCLUSION These data support the validity of DA for describing heterogeneity among young children with severe disabilities who look similar on static assessment but appear differentially ready to learn behaviors associated with joint attention. This knowledge will assist clinicians in planning more efficacious services for young children who struggle to communicate and are at risk for extended therapeutic needs.
Localization of cholinergic and purinergic receptors on outer hair cells isolated from the guinea-pig cochlea

Acetylcholine (ACh) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) are shown to act in opposing fashion on guinea-pig cochlear outer hair cells (OHCS) via receptors localized within different fluid compartments of the organ of Corti. The cholinergic (efferent) receptors localized at the basal (perilymphatic) region of these cells activated a rapidly desensitizing hyperpolarizing K+ current. In contrast, purinergic (ATP) receptors were localized at the apical (endolymphatic) surface of OHCS and activated a depolarizing nonselective cation current which exhibited inward rectification and lacked desensitization. Localization of the receptors was determined by using whole-cell patch-clamp, by recording onset latencies and response amplitudes to pulses of either ACh or ATP pressure-applied at selected sites along the length of isolated OHCS. Under voltage-clamp at —60 mV, the largest ACh-induced (outward) currents were recorded when ACh was directed at the basal region of the cells. Conversely, the maximum (inward) ATP currents were obtained when ATP was directed toward the apical surface of these cells. Onset latencies increased rapidly from a minimum of approximately 10 ms for either ACh or ATP as the drug pipette was moved away from these optimal sites. The ATP response was antagonized by amiloride in a dose-dependent manner with a KD of approximately 400 uM. The localization of P2-type purinoceptors to the endolymphatic surface of OHCS suggests that ATP mediates a humoral modulation of the mechanoelectrical transduction process.
The Genes and Genetics of Malignant Melanoma

AbstractBackground: Population-based studies have identified several clinical variables associated with an increased risk of developing cutaneous melanoma that include phenotype, amount of and response to sun exposure, and family history. However, these observations are of limited relevance to clinical practice as the risk associated with each factor is individually modest and the characteristics of these variables lack precision when applied to a particular individual. Objective: To review the literature regarding recent advances made in the understanding of the genes and genetics of clinical variables associated with an increased risk of melanoma. Conclusion: Variants of the MC1R (melanocortin-1 receptor) have been identified as major determinants of high-risk phenotypes, such as red hair and pale skin, and the ability to tan in response to UV exposure. Several studies also suggest that such variants may increase melanoma risk independent of their contribution to phenotype. A strong genetic basis for both nevus density and size has been demonstrated and the link between nevi and the development of MM has become better defined. Finally, germline defects in several genes involved in cell cycle regulation, namely, p16 and CDK4, have been demonstrated in many familial melanoma kindreds. This progress has introduced the prospect of genetic testing as a means of identifying a limited number of high-risk individuals who can be targeted with regular screening and education regarding UV exposure and skin self-examination. Ultimately, through rational genetic therapy targeted to correcting the underlying molecular defect, altering the natural history of melanoma development may be possible.
Association between an Increased Surface Area of Peritoneal Microvessels and a High Peritoneal Solute Transport Rate

Objective The peritoneal solute transport rate (PSTR) often increases, especially for small solutes, during long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment. Although the mechanism by which PSTR increases in PD patients is not known, it is likely that an increased PSTR reflects an increased surface area of the peritoneal capillary and postcapillary venules (microvessels), but this has not previously been investigated. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between PSTR and peritoneal microvessel alterations in biopsy specimens of peritoneum obtained from PD patients after various times on PD, and the possible contribution of the duration of PD in relation to these alterations. Design Tissue from the parietal peritoneum was obtained from 22 PD patients (age 48.5± 9.0 years, duration of PD 66.3 ± 46.6 months, incidence of peritonitis 0.3/patient-year). The patients were subdivided into three groups according to duration of PD: zero months (group 0, n = 4), less than 60 months (group I, n = 7), and more than 60 months (group II, n = 11). Methods For each specimen, the relative microvessel area (RVA) calculated as total area of microvessels/total area of peritoneal field, and the relative microvessel number (RVN), calculated as number of microvessels/total area of peritoneal field, were determined. The ratio RVA/RVN was used to assess the average area of microvessels. The PSTR was evaluated for creatinine, glucose, β2-microglobulin, and albumin using the peritoneal equilibration test. Results The dialysate-to-plasma concentration ratio (D/P) for creatinine showed a significant positive correlation with both RVA (rho = 0.77, p < 0.001) and RVA/RVN (rho = 0.51, p = 0.01), but not with RVN. The D/P for β2-microglobulin correlated with RVA (rho = 0.51 p = 0.015) but not with RVN or RVA/RVN. No differences were found between the three groups in the values for RVN, whereas there was an apparent significant increase in RVA with time on PD (p < 0.001 for group 0 vs both groups I and Furthermore, in high transporters, RVA tended to be higher in group II than in group I. Conclusions The present study demonstrates for the first time that an increased peritoneal solute transport rate (for both creatinine and β2-microglobulin) is associated with an increased surface area of peritoneal microvessels, especially in patients on long-term PD treatment. This indicates that increased vascularization and/or dilatation of peritoneal microvessels may play a key role in the development of a high PSTR.
A comparison of five low back disability questionnaires: reliability and responsiveness.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The aim of this study was to examine 5 commonly used questionnaires for assessing disability in people with low back pain. The modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale, the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, the Waddell Disability Index, and the physical health scales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were compared in patients undergoing physical therapy for low back pain. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Patients with low back pain completed the questionnaires during initial consultation with a physical therapist and again 6 weeks later (n=106). Test-retest reliability was examined for a group of 47 subjects who were classified as "unchanged" and a subgroup of 16 subjects who were self-rated as "about the same. " Responsiveness was compared using standardized response means, receiver operating characteristic curves, and the proportions of subjects who changed by at least as much as the minimum detectable change (MDC) (90% confidence interval [CI] of the standard error for repeated measures). Scale width was judged as adequate if no more than 15% of the subjects had initial scores at the upper or lower end of the scale that were insufficient to allow change to be reliably detected. RESULTS Intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1) calculated to measure reliability for the subjects who were classified as "unchanged" and those who were self-rated as "about the same" were greater than.80 for the Oswestry and Quebec questionnaires and the SF-36 Physical Functioning scale and less than.80 for the Waddell and Roland-Morris questionnaires and the SF-36 Role Limitations-Physical and Bodily Pain scales. None of the scales were more responsive than any other. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Measurements obtained with the modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, the SF-36 Physical Functioning scale, and the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale were the most reliable and had sufficient width scale to reliably detect improvement or worsening in most subjects. The reliability of measurements obtained with the Waddell Disability Index was moderate, but the scale appeared to be insufficient to recommend it for clinical application. The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and the Role Limitations-Physical and Bodily Pain scales of the SF-36 appeared to lack sufficient reliability and scale width for clinical application.
First-line gefitinib in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer harboring somatic EGFR mutations.

PURPOSE Somatic mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) correlate with increased response in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The multicenter iTARGET trial prospectively examined first-line gefitinib in advanced NSCLC patients harboring EGFR mutations and explored the significance of EGFR mutation subtypes and TKI resistance mechanisms. PATIENTS AND METHODS Chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced NSCLC with >or= 1 clinical characteristic associated with EGFR mutations underwent direct DNA sequencing of tumor tissue EGFR exons 18 to 21. Patients found to harbor any EGFR mutation were treated with gefitinib 250 mg/d until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary outcome was response rate. RESULTS Ninety-eight patients underwent EGFR screening and mutations were detected in 34 (35%). EGFR mutations were primarily exon 19 deletions (53%) and L858R (26%) though 21% of mutation-positive cases had less common subtypes including exon 20 insertions, T790M/L858R, G719A, and L861Q. Thirty-one patients received gefitinib. The response rate was 55% (95% CI, 33 to 70) and median progression-free survival was 9.2 months (95% CI, 6.2 to 11.8). Therapy was well tolerated; 13% of patients had grade 3 toxicities including one grade 3 pneumonitis. Two patients with classic activating mutations exhibited de novo gefitinib resistance and had concurrent genetic anomalies usually associated with acquired TKI resistance, specifically the T790M EGFR mutation and MET amplification. CONCLUSION First-line therapy with gefitinib administered in a genotype-directed fashion to patients with advanced NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations results in very favorable clinical outcomes with good tolerance. This strategy should be compared with combination chemotherapy, the current standard of care.
FKF1 Conveys Timing Information for CONSTANS Stabilization in Photoperiodic Flowering

Spring Into Flower In spring, plants respond to increasing day length and shifts in the spectrum of solar irradiance by releasing the flowering induction pathway, which includes expression of the FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) protein. Song et al. (p. 1045) have now identified a trio of controls brought to bear on FT gene expression by the FKF1 (FLAVIN-BINDING, KELCH REPEAT, F-BOX 1) protein. FKF1 removes a repressor and also stabilizes the activating CONSTANS (CO) protein in the afternoons through a binding interaction enhanced by blue light—an increasing component of solar irradiation during spring. Then FKF1 itself helps to activate transcription of the CO gene. Thus, by removing the repressor and shoring up the activator, FKF1 sets flowering on its way. A plant protein sensitive to blue light links longer afternoons to more flowering. Plants use day-length information to coordinate flowering time with the appropriate season to maximize reproduction. In Arabidopsis, the long day–specific expression of CONSTANS (CO) protein is crucial for flowering induction. Although light signaling regulates CO protein stability, the mechanism by which CO is stabilized in the long-day afternoon has remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that FLAVIN-BINDING, KELCH REPEAT, F-BOX 1 (FKF1) protein stabilizes CO protein in the afternoon in long days. FKF1 interacts with CO through its LOV domain, and blue light enhances this interaction. In addition, FKF1 simultaneously removes CYCLING DOF FACTOR 1 (CDF1), which represses CO and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) transcription. Together with CO transcriptional regulation, FKF1 protein controls robust FT mRNA induction through multiple feedforward mechanisms that accurately control flowering timing.
Baculovirus diversity and molecular biology.

With the identification and characterization of a number of structural and nonstructural protein genes, advances have been made in our understanding of baculovirus structure, regulation of gene expression, and replication. Since less than 30% of the AcMNPV genome has been sequenced and characterized, the continued identification and assignment of function to baculovirus genes is perhaps the most crucial of enterprises now facing baculovirologists and is critical to the development of our understanding of the baculovirus genome and its replication. The size and diversity of baculovirus genomes appears to be strongly influenced by mobile DNA from the insect host. Also, transposon-mediated mutations of baculoviruses provide examples of functional inactivation of viral genes (FP phenotype mutations) and transcriptional activation (TE-D insertion). Another role transposable elements may play is the introduction of insect promoters and enhancers to the baculovirus genome. Since early baculovirus genes are likely transcribed in a way similar to normal insect genes, transposons that insert strong constitutive promoters or cellular enhancers near early baculovirus genes may cause mutations that are subsequently selected for. If this does occur, baculovirus early gene promoters may exhibit a great deal of variability in sequence and may resemble host promoters. Given the overall similarity between the genomes of OpMNPV and AcMNPV and the apparent absence of a region, similar to the AcMNPV HindIII-K/EcoR1-S in OpMNPV, it is intriguing to speculate that this region which contains two ORFs and the hr5 enhancer, may have been inserted into the AcMNPV genome by transposition, possibly delivering several helpful genes (35k and 94k) and a powerful enhancer. The highly repeated enhancer may have been subsequently amplified by recombination. In such a model, the acquisition of general or species-specific enhancers might influence both virulence and host range. Acquisition of general enhancers could increase the level of early gene expression, thus accelerating the cellular infection cycle and making the virus more virulent. Similarly, the acquisition of species-specific enhancers might affect host range by accelerating the infection cycle, but only in a specific host or cell type. One might therefore postulate that diversity in baculoviruses may reflect not only different selection pressures but also the diversity of mobile DNA within host insect species. Although our understanding of baculovirus diversity and molecular biology is rapidly advancing, many of the fundamental characteristics that define the unique nature of baculoviruses remain poorly understood. One fundamental feature of baculoviruses is the production of the two virion phenotypes, PDV and BV. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A new synthesis methodology for reliable RF front-end Design

A low power and low cost WLAN/WiMAX RF front-end requires more advanced CMOS technologies whose transistor parameters degradation is becoming worse. Few published works has presented the reliability results for RF circuits. In order to fill this gap, we develop a new synthesis methodology for reliable RF front-end design using the design example of a reliable BLIXER. The first steps of our synthesis methodology is a transistor ageing simulation. Then, we calculate an estimation of the circuit performance and ageing using the circuit design equations and the total derivatives. Thus, we can find the required bias and sizing improving the circuit reliability. The simulation results of the typical circuit are coherent with the WLAN/WiMAX RF front-end specifications. Despite the integrated process variability and mismatch, we observe that 96.4 % of the simulation runs have Gain > 10.0 dB, and 92.1% of the simulation runs have NFmax&#60; 5.0 dB. Moreover, the BLIXER ageing degradation is negligible according to the fitted Poisson distribution of the power consumption for 99.9% of confidence. Going further, we can say that the synthesis methodology proposed and developed for a RF front-end design can be exploited in different AMS/RF circuits and also generalized for a single bottom-up reliable-system design approach.