Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AN APPLICATION OF INTEGRATED TRANSPORT NETWORK -MULTIREGIONAL CGE MODEL II: CALIBRATION OF NETWORK EFFECTS OF HIGHWAY

Abstract. A transportation network-multiregional CGE model is applied to estimate the network effects of a set of highway projects on the value-added by region and industrial sector for the construction and operation periods. Among nine highways in an east–west direction in Korea, the East–West 9 highway increases the GDP by 0.300% over the 30-period time horizon with 0.016% of the GDP as the network effect. This network effect is defined as a difference between summation of the net increase in the GDP from the development of each sub-link of the highway without the spatial linkage and the change in the GDP resulting from the concurrent development of the whole links with spatial linkages. Also, the highway has the largest network effect on the manufacturing sector of Kwangju Metropolitan Area by 0.164 billion US$ per year, resulting in a gain in the regional GRP per capita by 15.88 US$ per year. Since more network effects are generated in the less-development regions such as Kwangju rather than the developed regions, highway development can contribute to the reduction in regional disparities.
Effects of feed restriction and cold exposure on glucose metabolism in response to feeding and insulin in sheep.

The effects of feed restriction, cold exposure, and the initiation of feeding on blood glucose metabolism, other blood metabolites, hormones, and tissue responsiveness and sensitivity to insulin were measured in sheep. The sheep consumed orchardgrass hay ad libitum (AL) or were restricted to 82% of the ME requirement for maintenance (RE) and were exposed to a thermoneutral (20 degrees C) or a cold environment (2 degrees C). An isotope dilution method and a glucose clamp approach were applied to determine blood glucose metabolism and insulin action, respectively. Plasma NEFA and insulin concentrations were influenced by feed restriction. Concentrations of plasma glucose, NEFA, insulin, and glucagon were influenced by cold exposure. Plasma NEFA concentration for RE decreased after the initiation of feeding and plasma insulin concentration increased transiently for all treatments. [U-13C]Glucose was continuously infused for 8 or 7 h after a priming injection starting 3 h before the initiation of either feeding or insulin infusion, respectively. When responses to feeding were studied, blood glucose turnover rate was less (P < .001) for RE than for AL, and it was greater (P < .001) during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment. The rate changed little after the initiation of feeding. For the glucose clamp approach, insulin was infused over four sequential 1-h periods at rates from . 64 to 10 mU x kg BW(-1) x min(-1), with concomitant glucose infusion to maintain preinfusion plasma glucose concentrations. The rates of glucose infusion and blood glucose turnover increased (P < .001) dose-dependently with insulin infusion rate. The maximal glucose infusion rate was greater (P < .05) for RE than for AL and was greater (P < .001) during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment. The plasma insulin concentration at half-maximal glucose infusion rate was lower (P < .1) during cold exposure. Blood glucose turnover rate tended to be greater (P = .10) for RE than for AL, and it was greater (P < .001) during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment. The ratio of endogenous production to utilization of glucose was suppressed by insulin infusion. In sheep fed a roughage diet, blood glucose turnover rate seems to be influenced by both intake level and environmental temperature, but not by the act of feeding. Moreover, the action of insulin on glucose metabolism is enhanced during cold exposure, and the effect of feed restriction is somewhat enhanced.
Growth Rate of Escherichia coli at Elevated Temperatures: Reversible Inhibition of Homoserine Trans-Succinylase

The preceding paper (10) showed that the growth of Escherichia coli is slowed, without killing, at 40 to 45 C, and that in the several strains tested the cause is a decrease in the activity of homoserine trans-succinylase. These temperatures are now shown to inhibit the enzyme directly, in crude extracts and after partial purification. The effect is rapid and is immediately reversible, unlike the progressive and slowly reversible changes of conventional denaturation.
Bacteriological , Mycological and Histopathological Studies On Zoo Birds Suffering from Respiratory Manifestations

One hundred and eighty two samples were collected (60 dead birds and 122 nasal swabs from diseased birds) from ElFayoum zoo, Fayoum governorate. These birds are belonging to 3 species (Mallard ducks "Anas platyrhynchus"; Guinea fowl "Numida meleagris" and Common Pea fowl "Pavo cristatus communis"). In this study, 119 bacterial isolates were isolated. The different bacterial species were Pasteurella multocida; Salmonella typhimurium; E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The highest incidence of bacterial isolation was observed in mallard (44.5%) followed by G.fowl (40.3%) then Pea fowl (15.1%). The most common bacterial species isolates from the examined birds were P. multocida (31.3%) followed by Salm. typhimurium (17.0 %) followed by E.coli (13.7%) and then S. aureus, (3.3%). Furthermore, 81 fungal isolates were isolated. The highest incidence was observed in Mallard (41.9%) followed by Guinea fowl (32.1%), then Pea fowl was the lowest incidence (25.9%). Suggested reasons and explanation of that have been discussed in details. A. fumigatus was the most prevalent (27.4%) followed by A. flavus (10.9%) A. niger (3.8%) and the lowest incidence was C. albicans (2.2%). 61.3% and 62.9% of the bacterial and mycotic isolates respectively were belonging to the nasal swab samples isolations, importance of nasal swabs use in wild birds investigation has been discussed.
On the relationships among brand experience, hedonic emotions, and brand equity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to further examine the mediation mechanism to account for the influence of brand experience on brand loyalty by integrating the experiential view of consumption and the appraisal theory of emotion. Design/methodology/approach – An onsite interview survey was conducted in 21 stores of four service brands: Burger King, Cold Stone Creamery, McDonald’s and Starbucks Coffee. Confirmatory factor analysis is used for assessing validity and reliability. Structural equation modeling is used for examining construct relationships. Findings – Brand awareness/associations, perceived quality and hedonic emotions mediate the relationship between brand experience and brand loyalty. Hedonic emotions play a powerful mediation role. Moreover, it is the experiential view of consumption rather than the appraisal theory of emotion that plays a dominant role in accounting for the influence of brand experience on brand loyalty. Originality/value – This research extends previous studies on t.
Sociality with Objects

L'A. s'efforce d'envisager la nature de la «socialite» et des relations sociales au sein des societes contemporaines marquees par des processus d'individualisation. Il se demande ce que signifie la notion d'individualisation, analyse les processus de transition post-sociale et met en lumiere certains phenomenes de «desocialisation». Il considere que les societes contemporaines vont voir emerger certains elements culturels tels l'expertise ou le savoir qui vont jouer un role de plus en plus important dans leur organisation. Il estime que les «relations d'objet» vont tendre a devenir de plus en plus constitutives des relations sociales. Il s'efforce de definir et de caracteriser les specificites d'une socialite centree sur l'objet et met en exergue les notions de mutualite et de solidarite dans ce cadre
Privatization and Corporate Governance: Principles, Evidence, and Future Challenges

Unless developing countries embrace a corporate governance perspective, privatization is unlikely to provide the benefits of improved performance with accountability. This article introduces the concept of governance chains that can constrain the grabbing hands of public and private actors by providing information and accountability mechanisms to help investors monitor managers. Empirical data on established firms from 49 countries provide estimates of the relative importance and strength of private and formal chains of governance. The framework and empirical benchmarks help explain the outcomes of past privatizations and suggest certain steps that governments can pursue to be sure to get the most out of future privatization activity.
The Feasibility of Societal Cost Equivalence between Robotic Hysterectomy and Alternate Hysterectomy Methods for Endometrial Cancer

Objectives. We assess whether it is feasible for robotic hysterectomy for endometrial cancer to be less expensive to society than traditional laparoscopic hysterectomy or abdominal hysterectomy. Methods. We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patient characteristics, operative times, complications, and hospital charges from all (n = 234) endometrial cancer patients who underwent hysterectomy in 2009 at our hospital. Per patient costs of each hysterectomy method were examined from the societal perspective. Sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulation were performed using a cost-minimization model. Results. 40 (17.1%) of hysterectomies for endometrial cancer were robotic, 91 (38.9%), were abdominal, and 103 (44.0%) were laparoscopic. 96.3% of the variation in operative cost between patients was predicted by operative time (R = 0.963, P < 0.01). Mean operative time for robotic hysterectomy was significantly longer than other methods (P < 0.01). Abdominal hysterectomy was consistently the most expensive while the traditional laparoscopic approach was consistently least expensive. The threshold in operative time that makes robotic hysterectomy cost equivalent to the abdominal approach is within the range of our experience. Conclusion. It is feasible for robotic hysterectomy to be less expensive than abdominal hysterectomy, but unlikely for robotic hysterectomy to be less expensive than traditional laparoscopy.
Intuitive syllabification: universals and language specific constraints

ABSTRACT Intuitive syllabifications of 50 five- and six- and 50 eight-year-old children are studied in an experimental setting. The children syllabified Dutch disyllabic words with a single intervocalic consonant that were presented orally to them. The aim was to find out if these syllabifications adhered to the universal principles of syllable structure and if the children's syllabifications witnessed an overruling of the universal phonological constraints by language specific ones. Results indicate that universal principles are sufficient to explain syllabifications. Except for obligatory onset formation, other principles act as soft constraints that are influenced by factors such as stress and vowel and consonant quality. A language specific constraint proposed in the phonological literature, namely bimoraic minimality, is hypothesized to be a result of children's familiarization with the spelling conventions.
Multiple-bases belief-propagation decoding of high-density cyclic codes

We introduce a new method for decoding short and moderate-length linear block codes with dense parity check matrix representations of cyclic form. This approach is termed multiple-bases belief-propagation. The proposed iterative scheme makes use of the fact that a code has many structurally diverse parity-check matrices, capable of detecting different error patterns. We show that this inherent code property leads to decoding algorithms with significantly better performance when compared to standard belief-propagation decoding. Furthermore, we describe how to choose sets of parity-check matrices of cyclic form amenable for multiple-bases decoding, based on analytical studies performed for the binary erasure channel. For several cyclic and extended cyclic codes, the multiple-bases belief propagation decoding performance can be shown to closely follow that of the maximum-likelihood decoder.
Smart Wearable Band for Stress Detection

Sometimes mental stress needs to be control as it results in different dangerous suffering. Timely mental stress detection can help to prevent stress related health problems. The aim of this paper is to design an IoT base wearable, cost effective and low power smart band for health care that detect mental stress based on skin conductance. This band can monitor user's mental stress continuously and transmit the stress related data wirelessly to user's smart phone. It not only help the users in better understanding their stress patterns but also provide the physician with reliable data for a much better treatment. Inputs to this device are various signals from different sensors. By intelligently analyzing the correlation between these signals using machine learning algorithm, this band predicts that whether the subject is suffering from stress or not.
Reviewing Industry Life‐Cycle Theory: Avenues for Future Research

This paper explicates the key mechanisms and research themes of industry life‐cycle theory and assesses the extent to which empirical evidence supports such an approach. It is based on a review of 216 industry life‐cycle studies. The review of the theory is organized around industry emergence and transition to industry maturity. The key research themes concern changes in industry structure, changes in the nature of innovation, and the determinants of survival. Three potential special cases, i.e. services, complex products and systems, and cultural industries, are identified, and five research questions for future enquiry are presented.
Prophylactic administration of aminophylline plus dexamethasone reduces post-dural puncture headache better than using either drug alone in patients undergoing lower extremity surgery

Background: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a known complication of neuroaxial anesthesia and may be associated with significant morbidity. As invasive treatment for PDPH has known complications, pharmacologic management may be preferable. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of combining administration of intravenous aminophylline and dexamethasone on PDPH in patients who underwent lower extremity surgery in comparison with using either drug alone and also comparing them with placebo. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty patients, aged 20-65 years, scheduled for lower extremity surgery in Alzahra University Hospital under spinal anesthesia were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were divided into four groups of 35 each and received aminophylline 1.5 mg/kg i.v. (group A), dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg (group D), aminophylline 1.5 mg/kg plus dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg i.v. (group AD), and placebo (group P). The incidences of PDPH and complete response were evaluated at 6-48 h after arrival to the ward in the four groups. Results: Patients in group AD had significantly lower incidence of PDPH (5.88% vs. 20.58% for group A and 17.14% for group D with P < 0.05), the highest incidence of complete response, and also, less analgesic requirement compared with groups A, D, and P throughout 6-48 h (1.2 ± 0.4 vs. 2.3 ± 0.75 for group A, 1.8 ± 0.6 for group D, and 3.3 ± 1 for placebo group with P < 0.05). Conclusion: Combine administration of aminophylline 1.5 mg/kg plus dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg significantly reduced PDPH better than using either drug alone in patients who underwent lower extremity surgery under spinal anesthesia.
Biosynthesis of Ochratoxin A

Biosynthesis of ochratoxin A by Aspergillus ochraceus Wilh. was investigated by radiolabeling experiments in which phenylalanine-1-14C and sodium acetate-2-14C were supplied to the fungus in sucrose-yeast extract medium. Results showed that phenylalanine was incorporated unaltered into the phenylalanine moiety of ochratoxin A, whereas the isocoumarin moiety of ochratoxin A was mostly derived via acetate condensation.
The Bacillus subtilis dacB gene, encoding penicillin-binding protein 5*, is part of a three-gene operon required for proper spore cortex synthesis and spore core dehydration

Studies of gene expression using fusions to lacZ demonstrated that the Bacillus subtilis dacB gene, encoding penicillin-binding protein 5*, is in an operon with two downstream genes, spmA and spmB. Mutations affecting any one of these three genes resulted in the production of spores with reduced heat resistance. The cortex peptidoglycan in dacB mutant spores had more peptide side chains, a higher degree of peptide cross-linking, and possibly less muramic acid lactam than that of wild-type spores. These cortex structure parameters were normal in spmA and spmB mutant spores, but these spores did not attain normal spore core dehydration. This defect in spore core dehydration was exaggerated by the additional loss of dacB expression. However, loss of dacB alone did not alter the spore core water content. Spores produced by spmA and spmB mutants germinated faster than did those of the wild type. Spores produced by dacB mutants germinated normally but were delayed in spore outgrowth. Electron microscopy revealed a drastically altered appearance of the cortex in dacB mutants and a minor alteration in an spmA mutant. Measurements of electron micrographs indicate that the ratio of the spore protoplast volume to the sporoplast (protoplast-plus-cortex) volume was increased in dacB and spmA mutants. These results are consistent with spore core water content being the major determinant of spore heat resistance. The idea that loosely cross-linked, flexible cortex peptidoglycan has a mechanical activity involved in achieving spore core dehydration is not consistent with normal core dehydration in spores lacking only dacB.
Activation of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase Antagonizes an Anti-apoptotic Action of Bcl-2*

Bcl-2 is an intracellular membrane-associated protein that prevents cell death induced by a variety of apoptotic stimuli. A mechanism by which Bcl-2 exerts an anti-cell death effect is, however, not fully understood. In the present study, Bcl-2 suppressed cell death of N18TG neuroglioma cells caused by various apoptotic stresses, including etoposide, staurosporine, anisomycin, and ultraviolet irradiation. Concomitantly, Bcl-2 disrupted a signaling cascade to the c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation induced by the apoptotic stresses. Bcl-2 also prevented the etoposide-induced stimulation of MEKK1. Furthermore, overexpression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase antagonized the death-protective function of Bcl-2. These data suggest that suppression of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathway may be critical for Bcl-2 action.
Measurement errors in retrospective reports of event histories. A validation study with Finnish register data

It is well known that retrospective survey reports of event histories are affected by measurement errors. Yet little is known about the determinants of measurement errors in event history data or their effects on event history analysis. Making use of longitudinal register data linked at person-level with longitudinal survey data, we provide novel evidence about 1) type and magnitude of measurement errors in survey reports of event histories, 2) validity of classical assumptions about measurement errors, 3) measurement error bias and 4) effect of measurement accuracy in event history analysis. The classical assumptions about measurement errors are not supported by our measurement error models. Measurement error in both spell durations and spell outcomes are shown to be important causes of bias in an event history analysis. The effects of education and earnings-related unemployment benefit are estimated with sizeable bias. The magnitude of bias in estimated covariate effects does not depend on model type whereas the Cox model produces clearly less biased estimates of baseline hazard compared to the Weibull model. The large bias in the Weibull baseline hazard is shown to be almost entirely due to low measurement accuracy in survey data.
Multilocus Sequence Typing of Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis From Patients With Different Degrees of Clinical Symptoms

Background: In the past, contradictory results have been obtained linking Chlamydia trachomatis serovars (ompA gene) to different clinical courses of infection. Methods: A high resolution multilocus sequence typing (MLST) system was used to genotype 6 genetic regions, including ompA, in 70 Dutch urogenital C. trachomatis strains from patients with different degrees of defined clinical symptoms (asymptomatic, symptomatic, and lower abdominal pain), to determine if MLST genotypes correlated with clinical manifestations of infection. Results and conclusions: We identified 46 MLST types, with only a small overlap to Swedish MLST types. This study found no correlation between MLST profiles and symptomatology. To understand the clinical course of infection, future studies should not only consider bacterial factors but also look on the immunogenetics of the host.
Structuration Theory and Information System Development - Frameworks for Practice

Giddens’ structuration theory (ST) offers an account of social life in terms of social practices developing and changing over time and space, which makes no attempt to directly theorize the Information Systems (IS) domain. IS researchers have long been interested in it as a way of deepening understanding; a common application is the analysis of empirical situations using Giddens’ ‘dimensions of the duality of structure’ model. Other writers, most notably Orlikowski, have used it help theorize the field. Often the mode of research employed has been the interpretative case study. However, direct attempts to influence practice (an important component of working in an applied field), perhaps through the vehicle of action research, have yet to be undertaken. There are at least three serious problems with attempting this. The first is the inaccessibility of the theory to IS researchers and practitioners. The second is the absence of specific theories of technology. The third is Giddens’ own disinterest in practical uses of his work – which leaves no obvious path to follow. This paper explores that path, in the context of information system development (ISD). Some frameworks for practice are suggested which are translated into forms of discourse that are more accessible to the IS community. In particular, we include an empirical illustration to demonstrate the potential of ISD tools based on structuration theory.
When Teaching Makes a Difference: Developing science teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge through learning study

It is a common view that developing teachers’ competence to restructure or reframe their knowledge and beliefs is inevitably a complex challenge. This paper reports on a research project with the aim to develop science teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) through their participation in a learning study. A learning study is a collegial process in which teachers work together with a researcher to explore their own teaching activities in order to identify what is critical for their students’ learning. During one semester, three secondary science teachers worked in a learning study together with a researcher in a cyclical process in order to create prerequisites and further identify conditions for students’ learning. During the learning study, data were collected from video-recorded lessons and stimulated recall sessions in which the teachers and the researcher reflected on the lessons to analyze their development of PCK, their students’ learning and the impact of that knowledge on their own teaching. The results provide an insight into how the teachers developed their self-understanding in which they questioned their own epistemological beliefs, aims and objectives of teaching and taken-for-granted assumptions about science teaching and learning. As such, the study provides an understanding of teacher professional learning through a careful investigation of how teachers’ PCK is enhanced through their participation in the learning study, and further, how students’ learning might be developed as a consequence.