Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Forgotten Rationale for Policy Reform: The Productivity of Investment Projects

Using economic rates of return from more than 1,200 public and private sector projects implemented in 61 developing countries, the authors analyze determinants of investment productivity. Results from Tobit estimation demonstrate that the degree of countrywide policy distortions - macroeconomic, exchange rate, trade and pricing - critically affects the productivity of investments. Countries with undistorted policies are likely to be unproductive investments. In countries with distorted policies, investments are likely to be unproductive. And within a country, investments become more productive when economic policymaking improves. The productivity of projects in the tradable sectors are also affected (in a nonlinear fashion) by the size of a country's public investment program. The authors discuss possible selection biases in this data set, present tests of robustness, and highlight policy implications. In particular, donor financing for improvements in the policy climate is likely to pay off. A powerful rationale for supporting structual reform is that it raises the productivity of both public and private investments.
Electronic cigarette aerosols suppress cellular antioxidant defenses and induce significant oxidative DNA damage

Background Electronic cigarette (EC) aerosols contain unique compounds in addition to toxicants and carcinogens traditionally found in tobacco smoke. Studies are warranted to understand the public health risks of ECs. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the genotoxicity and the mechanisms induced by EC aerosol extracts on human oral and lung epithelial cells. Methods Cells were exposed to EC aerosol or mainstream smoke extracts and DNA damage was measured using the primer anchored DNA damage detection assay (q-PADDA) and 8-oxo-dG ELISA assay. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured using standard methods. mRNA and protein expression were evaluated by RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Results EC aerosol extracts induced DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner, but independently of nicotine concentration. Overall, EC aerosol extracts induced significantly less DNA damage than mainstream smoke extracts, as measured by q-PADDA. However, the levels of oxidative DNA damage, as indicated by the presence of 8-oxo-dG, a highly mutagenic DNA lesion, were similar or slightly higher after exposure to EC aerosol compared to mainstream smoke extracts. Mechanistically, while exposure to EC extracts significantly increased ROS, it decreased TAC as well as the expression of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1), an enzyme essential for the removal of oxidative DNA damage. Conclusions Exposure to EC aerosol extracts suppressed the cellular antioxidant defenses and led to significant DNA damage. These findings emphasize the urgent need to investigate the potential long-term cancer risk of exposure to EC aerosol for vapers and the general public.
Eff ect of the Van Hiele Model Based Instruction on the Creative Th inking Levels of 6 th Grade Primary School Students

Th e aim of this study is to determine the eff ect of the Van Hiele model based instruction process on the creative thinking levels of 6th grade primary school students. Pre testpost test matching control group quasi-experimental design was used in the study. Fifty five students enrolled in sixth grades during the 2005-2006 educational year formed the sample. Th e study was carried out with two groups. One of these groups was determined as the experimental group and the other was as the control group. While a teaching based on the Van Hiele model was carried out in the experimental group, a teaching with the traditional method was carried out in the control group. Th e instruction was carried out by the researchers in both groups. In the study, the Shapes Section of the Torrance Creative Th inking Test was administered in order to determine the creative thinking levels of students before and after the teaching. In order to determine whether there is a significant diff erence between the creative thinking levels of the experimental and control groups before and after the instruction, ttest was used. At the end of the study, although there is a significant diff erence between the creative thinking test, fl uency, originality, the titles’ being abstract, creative forces lists, and creativity pre test and post test scores of the students in the experimental group, a significant diff erence between the pre test and post scores of students in the control group related to the sub-dimensions of creativity thinking and total scores was not observed. When the creative thinking levels of the students after the instruction was examined, a significant diff erence was found in total post test scores related to fl uency, originality, the titles’ being abstract, creative forces lists and creativity in advantage of the experimental group.
Noninvasive Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Imaging Identifies Inflammatory Activation of Cells in Atherosclerosis

Background— Noninvasive imaging of adhesion molecules such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) may identify early stages of inflammation in atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that a novel, second-generation VCAM-1–targeted agent with enhanced affinity had sufficient sensitivity to enable real-time detection of VCAM-1 expression in experimental atherosclerosis in vivo, to quantify pharmacotherapy-induced reductions in VCAM-1 expression, and to identify activated cells in human plaques. Methods and Results— In vivo phage display in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice identified a linear peptide affinity ligand, VHPKQHR, homologous to very late antigen-4, a known ligand for VCAM-1. This peptide was developed into a multivalent agent detectable by MRI and optical imaging (denoted VINP-28 for VCAM-1 internalizing nanoparticle 28, with 20 times higher affinity than previously reported for VNP). In vitro, VINP-28 targeted all cell types expressing VCAM-1. In vivo, MRI and optical imaging in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (n=28) after injection with VINP-28 or saline revealed signal enhancement in the aortic root of mice receiving VINP-28 (P<0.05). VINP-28 colocalized with endothelial cells and other VCAM-1–expressing cells, eg, macrophages, and was spatially distinct compared with untargeted control nanoparticles. Atheromata of atorvastatin-treated mice showed reduced VINP-28 deposition and VCAM-1 expression. VINP-28 enhanced early lesions in juvenile mice and resected human carotid artery plaques. Conclusions— VINP-28 allows noninvasive imaging of VCAM-1–expressing endothelial cells and macrophages in atherosclerosis and spatial monitoring of anti-VCAM-1 pharmacotherapy in vivo and identifies inflammatory cells in human atheromata. This clinically translatable agent could noninvasively detect inflammation in early, subclinical atherosclerosis.
Martian sub-surface ionising radiation: biosignatures and geology

Abstract. The surface of Mars, unshielded by thick atmosphere or global magnetic field, is exposed to high levels of cosmic radiation. This ionising radiation field is deleterious to the survival of dormant cells or spores and the persistence of molecular biomarkers in the subsurface, and so its characterisation is of prime astrobiological interest. Here, we present modelling results of the absorbed radiation dose as a function of depth through the Martian subsurface, suitable for calculation of biomarker persistence. A second major implementation of this dose accumulation rate data is in application of the optically stimulated luminescence technique for dating Martian sediments. We present calculations of the dose-depth profile in the Martian subsurface for various scenarios: variations of surface composition (dry regolith, ice, layered permafrost), solar minimum and maximum conditions, locations of different elevation (Olympus Mons, Hellas basin, datum altitude), and increasing atmospheric thickness over geological history. We also model the changing composition of the subsurface radiation field with depth compared between Martian locations with different shielding material, determine the relative dose contributions from primaries of different energies, and discuss particle deflection by the crustal magnetic fields.
Organizational Environment Revisited: A Conceptual Review and Integration

Innumerable books and articles state that "the environment" is important to organizations and merits attention, as it is thought to influence organizations' actions as well as outcomes. Still, little agreement exists on what the environment is and how to apprehend it. This paper presents a review of four different perspectives in organization-environment research: the adaptive, the resource-dependence, the cognitive, and the population-ecology perspectives. All perspectives present assumptions about environmental structure, sources of environmental change, level of analysis, and so forth, but they also imply different meta-theoretical assumptions that constitute distinct frames of references. In this paper, the author suggests that the ideas in the realist paradigm in strategy research, the logic of appropriateness, and high general applicability and prescriptive value contribute to explaining the dominant position of the adaptive perspective. It is further argued that viewing "environment" from only one angle is too limited a conceptualization, and constructivism is suggested to be a feasible avenue for combining and integrating characteristics from different perspectives in order to overcome limitations with a single-frame approach.
Vertiginous Symptoms and Objective Measures of Postural Balance in Elderly People with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Submitted to the Epley Maneuver

Abstract Introduction Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common and treatable causes of peripheral vestibular vertigo in adults. Its incidence increases with age, eventually leading to disability and a decreased quality of life. Objective The research aims to assess short-term effects of Otolith Repositioning Maneuver (ORM) on dizziness symptoms, quality of life, and postural balance in elderly people with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Methods A quasi-experimental study, which evaluated 14 elderly people that underwent the Otolith Repositioning Maneuver and reevaluation after one week. The authors performed statistical analysis by descriptive analysis of central tendency and dispersion; for pre- and post-treatment conditions, the authors used the Wilcoxon test. Results All aspects of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (physical, functional, emotional, and total scores) as well as the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) decreased after therapy (p < 0.05 and p = 0.001, respectively). However, more than half of the elderly participants did not achieve negative Dix-Hallpike. Regarding static and dynamic balance, there were significant differences in some parameters of the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance, Limits of Stability and gait assessment measured by the Dizziness Gait Index (p < 0.05). Conclusion Results reveal clinical and functional benefits in elderly people with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo submitted to Otolith Repositioning Maneuver. However, most of the participants did not overcome Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and not all aspects of postural balance improved. Therefore, a longer follow-up period and a multidisciplinary team are required to establish comprehensive care for elderly patients with dizziness complaints.
Using Social Media for Research: The Role of Interactivity, Collaborative Learning, and Engagement on the Performance of Students in Malaysian Post-Secondary Institutes

A great deal of research has been conducted regarding the effect of social media on research. However, only a few of these studies have examined the collaborative use of social media as a way to improve the performance of students. Both students and supervisors have expanded their use of social media and understanding how social media can be used to instigate improvements through collaborative learning must be investigated. We conducted a survey of two universities in Malaysia. The goal of this study was to identify the characteristics and factors of social media that improve the academic performance of post-secondary students and students through collaborative learning. Four hundred and twenty-six responses were received from the Malaysian universities surveyed. IBM SPSS and Amos were used to analyze the data. We used a constructivism theory to further explore the data. The results demonstrated that collaborative learning and engagement using social media had a significant and positive affect on the interactions and engagement of members and supervisors of research groups in Malaysian universities. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n5s2p536
Targeting MET Amplification as a New Oncogenic Driver

Certain genetically defined cancers are dependent on a single overactive oncogene for their proliferation and survival, a phenomenon known as “oncogene addiction”. A new generation of drugs that selectively target such “driver oncogenes” manifests a clinical efficacy greater than that of conventional chemotherapy in appropriate genetically defined patients. MET is a proto-oncogene that encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase, and aberrant activation of MET signaling occurs in a subset of advanced cancers as result of various genetic alterations including gene amplification, polysomy, and gene mutation. Our preclinical studies have shown that inhibition of MET signaling either with the small-molecule MET inhibitor crizotinib or by RNA interference targeted to MET mRNA resulted in marked antitumor effects in cancer cell lines with MET amplification both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, patients with non-small cell lung cancer or gastric cancer positive for MET amplification have shown a pronounced clinical response to crizotinib. Accumulating preclinical and clinical evidence thus suggests that MET amplification is an “oncogenic driver” and therefore a valid target for treatment. However, the prevalence of MET amplification has not been fully determined, possibly in part because of the difficulty in evaluating gene amplification. In this review, we provide a rationale for targeting this genetic alteration in cancer therapy.
A Blocker-Tolerant, Noise-Cancelling Receiver Suitable for Wideband Wireless Applications

A new wideband receiver architecture is proposed that employs two separate passive-mixer-based downconversion paths, which enables noise cancelling, but avoids voltage gain at blocker frequencies. This approach significantly relaxes the trade-off between noise, out-of-band linearity and wideband operation. The resulting prototype in 40 nm is functional from 80 MHz to 2.7 GHz and achieves a 2 dB noise figure, which only degrades to 4.1 dB in the presence of a 0 dBm blocker.
The influence of visible light exposure on cultured RGC-5 cells.

PURPOSE To determine the effects of visible light on normal or metabolically compromised cultured rat RGC-5 cells. METHODS Cultured RGC-5 cells were exposed to different durations as well as intensities of optical radiation, filtered to exclude wavelengths below 400 nm. Some cells were also subjected to metabolic compromise by depriving them of serum (serum deprivation; SD). Treated cells were assayed for cell viability using the 3,(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay, for DNA breakdown by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated d-UTP-linked nick end labeling (TUNEL), apoptotic protein activation by immunoblotting, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with dihydroethidium. A subset of cells was treated with 100 pM rotenone as an alternative means to induce metabolic stress; this was to determine that the influence of light on compromised cells was not specific to serum-deprivation alone. RESULTS Exposure to the light for 48 h activated both caspase-3 and Bcl-associated X-protein (Bax) in cultured RGC-5 cells. Furthermore, light (1000 or 4000 lux), SD, and rotenone caused minor but significant decreases in cellular MTT reduction. SD and light also led to cellular DNA breakdown, although only light caused ROS production. Light (48 h) significantly exacerbated the effect of SD on MTT reduction and DNA cleavage. Furthermore, the antioxidant, trolox, significantly blunted the detrimental influence of light on cell viability, increase in TUNEL-positive cells, and the generation of ROS. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to light was slightly, but significantly, harmful to healthy RGC-5 cells alone, but was much more toxic to those cells that were energetically compromised. Continuous light exposure can therefore detrimentally affect metabolically stressed RGC-5 cells. This may have implications for some ocular retinopathies such as glaucoma.
DUKUNGAN SOSIAL DAN KETAHANAN KELUARGA PESERTA DAN BUKAN PESERTA PROGRAM NASIONAL PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT (PNPM) MANDIRI

This study generally aims to assess social support for family strength in Sadeng Kolot Village, Leuwisadeng district, Bogor. The study involved 70 families, consist of 35 PNPM families who were selected randomly and 35 nonPNPM families who were selected by Snowball method. Data were analyzed using descriptive test, independent samples t-test, Pearson correlation test ,and multiple linear regression test. PNPM families accepted social support from neighbors. PNPM and nonPNPM families had low morbidity rate and also high social strength and psychosocial strength. The research found out the significant difference of social support and family strength between PNPM and nonPNPM families. Social support from neighbors, family, and nuclear families correlated significantly with total family strength. Family strength were affected by PNPM Mandiri membership status, income per capita per month, and the amount of assets.
Validity and Interpretation of Preference-Based Measures of Health-Related Quality of Life

Utilities are numeric measurements that reflect an individual’s beliefs about the desirableness of a health condition, willingness to take risks to gain health benefits, and preferences for time. This report discusses the approaches to assess and compare the validity of methods used to assign utilities for cost-utility analysis. Threats to validity include construct underrepresentation and construct-irrelevant variance. Construct underrepresentation occurs when a stimulus presented to a judge fails to fully represent the depth and complexity of information required in actual judgments. Construct-irrelevant variation occurs when factors irrelevant to preferences influence measurements of utilities. Among several factors that cause construct-irrelevant variation are cognitive abilities, numeracy skills, emotions and prejudices, and the elicitation procedure. Commonly used elicitation methods (visual-analog scales, time tradeoff, and standard gamble) capture different facets of utilities (desirableness of states, time preferences, and risk attitude) to different degrees. The validity of an elicitation protocol depends (1) on the degree to which its scaling method captures the relevant facets of utility and (2) on the degree to which measurements are influenced by construct-irrelevant variation. Discrete-state health index models provide an alternative to direct elicitation of utilities and work by attaching fixed preference weights to observable health states. The creation of discrete-state models with current technologies requires the adoption of strong assumptions about the scaling properties of utilities. Future research must refine methods of eliciting utilities and identify sources of construct-irrelevant variability that reduce the validity of utility assessments. Because of the impact of variation in techniques on measurements, we do not recommend the combination of utilities elicited with different protocols in cost-utility analysis and do not recommend the display of cost-utility ratios from different studies in comparison or “league” tables.
Volba školy pod tlakem reformních snah

Tento clanek se zabýva otazkou volby skoly v situaci zavedeni noveho typu nižsi sekundarni skoly do vzdělavaciho systemu v Rakousku. V ramci selektivniho rakouskeho systemu se žaci musi po absolvovani ctyř let jednotne elementarni skoly rozhodnout mezi nižsi sekundarni skolou akademickeho ci neakademickeho typu. Tuto volbu mělo za cil odstranit zavedeni tzv. nove nižsi středni skoly, k němuž v nedavne době v Rakousku doslo. S odvolanim na teorii racionalni volby si tento přispěvek klade otazku: Jake jsou důvody pro volbu akademicke nižsi sekundarni skoly na straně jedne a nove nižsi sekundarni skoly na straně druhe? Z analýzy dat z kvantitativniho dotaznikoveho setřeni, ktere se zaměřilo na tři kohorty žaků a rodiců vstupujicich do nižsiho sekundarniho stupně v letech 2010, 2011, 2012, vyplýva, že zavedeni noveho typu skoly nevede přimo ke změně chovani při provaděni volby mezi akademickou a neakademickou profilaci.
Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Tissue Tropism and Pathogenesis in Sheep and Goats following Experimental Infection

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a viral disease which primarily affects small ruminants, causing significant economic losses for the livestock industry in developing countries. It is endemic in Saharan and sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent. The primary hosts for peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) are goats and sheep; however recent models studying the pathology, disease progression and viremia of PPRV have focused primarily on goat models. This study evaluates the tissue tropism and pathogenesis of PPR following experimental infection of sheep and goats using a quantitative time-course study. Upon infection with a virulent strain of PPRV, both sheep and goats developed clinical signs and lesions typical of PPR, although sheep displayed milder clinical disease compared to goats. Tissue tropism of PPRV was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Lymph nodes, lymphoid tissue and digestive tract organs were the predominant sites of virus replication. The results presented in this study provide models for the comparative evaluation of PPRV pathogenesis and tissue tropism in both sheep and goats. These models are suitable for the establishment of experimental parameters necessary for the evaluation of vaccines, as well as further studies into PPRV-host interactions.