Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can Trade Reduce Poverty in Africa

While most economists accept that, in the long run, open economies fare better in aggregate than closed ones, many fears that trade could harm the poor. African countries, for example, have realized significant improvements in trade liberalization in recent decades, yet Africa remains the poorest continent in the world. It seems that the large gains expected from opening up to international economic forces have been limited in Africa, especially for poor people. Drawing on the findings of a recently published working paper (Le Goff and Singh 2013), this note argues that the benefits of trade are not automatic, but rather depend on accompanying policies aimed at developing the financial sector, promoting primary education, and improving governance. This accompanying policy agenda allows people to take advantage of the opportunities offered by freer trade, by reallocating resources away from less productive activities to more promising ones. Trade liberalization therefore should not be implemented on its own, but with the necessary complementing policies.
Relativistic conservation laws and integral constraints for large cosmological perturbations

For every mapping of a perturbed spacetime onto a background and with any vector field ξ we construct a conserved covariant vector density I(ξ), which is the divergence of a covariant antisymmetric tensor density, a "superpotential". I(ξ) is linear in the energy- momentum tensor perturbations of matter, which may be large; I(ξ) does not contain the second order derivatives of the perturbed metric. The superpotential is identically zero when perturbations are absent. By integrating conserved vectors over a partof a hypersurface S of the background, which spans a two-surface ∂�, we obtain integral relations between, on the one hand, initial data of the perturbed metric components and the energy-momentum perturbations onand, on the other hand, the boundary values on ∂�. We show that there are as many such integral relations as there are different mappings, ξ's, �'s and ∂�'s. For given boundary values on ∂�, the integral relations may be interpreted as integral constraints on local initial data including the energy- momentum perturbations. Conservation laws expressed in terms of Killing fields ξ of the background become "physical" conservation laws. In cosmology, to each mapping of the time axis of a Robertson-Walker space on a de Sitter space with the same spatial topology there correspond ten conservation laws. The conformal mapping leads to a straightforward generalization of conservation laws in flat spacetimes. Other mappings are also considered. Traschen's "integral constraints" for linearized spatially localized perturbations of the energy-momentum tensor are examples of conservation laws with peculiar ξ vectors whose equations are rederived here. In Robertson-Walker spacetimes, the "integral constraint vectors" are the Killing vectors of a de Sitter background for a special mapping. (S0556-2821(97)00310-X) PACS number(s): 04.20. Cv, 98.80. Hw
The predictable degree property, column reducedness, and minimality in multidimensional convolutional coding

Higher-dimensional analogs of the predictable degree property and column reducedness are defined, and it is proved that the two properties are equivalent. It is shown that every multidimensional convolutional code has, what is called, a minimal reduced polynomial resolution. It is uniquely determined (up to isomorphism) and leads to a number of important integer invariants of the code generalizing classical Forney's indices.
Optimal dose of losartan for renoprotection in diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND Angiotensin II subtype-1 receptor antagonists represent a valuable new class of drugs in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of our study was to evaluate the optimal dose of losartan for renoprotection and blood pressure reduction in diabetic nephropathy. METHODS Fifty consecutive hypertensive type 1 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy received increasing doses of losartan, 50, 100, and 150 mg once daily in three periods each lasting 2 months. At baseline and at the end of each treatment period, albuminuria, 24-h blood pressure (TM2420 A&D), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ([(51)Cr]EDTA plasma clearance) were determined. RESULTS Baseline values of albuminuria (geometric mean (95% CI)) and GFR (means+/-SEM) were 1138 (904-1432) mg/24 h and 91+/-3 ml/min/1.73 m(2), respectively. The blood pressure at baseline was 155/81+/-3/2 mmHg. All doses of losartan reduced albuminuria and blood pressure. Albuminuria was reduced by 30% (95% CI (15-41)) on losartan 50 mg, 48% (35-57) by losartan 100 mg, and 44% (32-56) by losartan 150 mg (all P values <0.01 vs baseline). Losartan 100 mg daily was significantly more effective than 50 mg daily in reducing albuminuria (P<0.01) without differences between the two high doses. Losartan 50, 100, and 150 mg daily decreased systolic/diastolic blood pressures by 7/4, 12/6, and 10/5 mmHg, respectively (all P<0.05). Losartan 100 mg daily was more effective than 50 mg daily in reducing systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure (P=0.05), without differences between the high doses. Treatment with losartan 100 and 150 mg lowered GFR by 4 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Our study suggests that the optimal dose of losartan is 100 mg daily for renoprotection and blood pressure reduction in type 1 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy.
Coach Ethical Leadership in Soccer Clubs: An Analysis of Its Influence on Ethical Behavior

Nonprofessional (amateur) soccer is continuously confronted with a wide range of ethical issues. As coaches are believed to be potentially effective in counteracting unethical behavior, this study analyzes the influence of coach ethical leadership on a sample of nonprofessional soccer players (n = 436). As ethical behavior contains two dimensions, namely an inhibitive one and a prosocial one, this study examines how player-perceived coach ethical leadership affects both dimensions, by respectively assessing its influence on the player-perceived ethical climate of the club and on the affective organizational commitment of the player. Results indicate that the influence of player-perceived coach ethical leadership on the player’s affective organizational commitment is partially mediated by the player-perceived ethical climate of the club. Furthermore, the affective organizational commitment of the players is also slightly affected by their organizational tenure. Finally, these findings are discussed, next t.
Molecular trapping of a fluorescent ceramide analogue at the Golgi apparatus of fixed cells: interaction with endogenous lipids provides a trans-Golgi marker for both light and electron microscopy

We have previously shown that a fluorescent derivative of ceramide, N- (epsilon-7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl-aminocaproyl)-D-eryth ro- sphingosin e (C6-NBD-Cer), vitally stains the Golgi apparatus of cells (Lipsky, N. G., and R. E. Pagano. 1985. Science (Wash. DC). 228:745- 747). In the present paper we demonstrate that C6-NBD-Cer also accumulates at the Golgi apparatus of fixed cells and we explore the mechanism by which this occurs. When human skin fibroblasts were fixed with glutaraldehyde and then incubated with C6-NBD-Cer at 2 degrees C, the fluorescent lipid spontaneously transferred into the cells, labeling the Golgi apparatus as well as other intracellular membranes. Subsequent incubations with defatted BSA at 24 degrees C removed excess C6-NBD-Cer from the cells such that fluorescence was then detected only at the Golgi apparatus. Similar results were obtained using other cell types. A method for visualizing the fluorescent lipid at the electron microscopic level, based on the photoconversion of a fluorescent marker to a diaminobenzidine product (Sandell, J. H., and R. H. Masland, 1988. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 36:555-559), is described and evidence is presented that C6-NBD-Cer was localized to the trans cisternae of the Golgi apparatus. While accumulation occurred in cells fixed in various ways, it was inhibited when fixation protocols that extract or modify cellular lipids were used. In addition, Filipin, which forms complexes with cellular cholesterol, labeled the Golgi apparatus of fixed cells and inhibited accumulation of C6-NBD-Cer at the Golgi apparatus. These results are discussed in terms of a simple model based on the physical properties of C6-NBD-Cer and its interactions with endogenous lipids of the Golgi apparatus. Possible implications of these findings for metabolism and transport of (fluorescent) sphingolipids in vivo are also presented.
Prevalence of Occult Hepatitis C Virus in Egyptian Patients with Chronic Lymphoproliferative Disorders

Background. Occult hepatitis C virus infection (OCI) was identified as a new form of Hepatitis C virus (HCV), characterized by undetectable HCV antibodies and HCV RNA in serum, while HCV RNA is detectable in liver and peripheral blood cells only. Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of OCI in Egyptian patients with lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) and to compare its prevalence with that of HCV in those patients. Subjects and Methods. The current study included 100 subjects, 50 of them were newly diagnosed cases having different lymphoproliferative disorders (patients group), and 50 were apparently healthy volunteers (controls group). HCV antibodies were detected by ELISA, HCV RNA was detected in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), and HCV genotype was detected by INNO-LiPA. Results. OCI was detected in 20% of patients group, compared to only 4% OCI in controls group. HCV was detected in 26% of patients group with a slightly higher prevalence. There was a male predominance in both HCV and OCI. All HCV positive patients were genotype 4. Conclusion. Our data revealed occurrence of occult HCV infection in Egyptian LPD patients at a prevalence of 20% compared to 26% of HCV.
A unified mechanism for protein folding: Predetermined pathways with optional errors

There is a fundamental conflict between two different views of how proteins fold. Kinetic experiments and theoretical calculations are often interpreted in terms of different population fractions folding through different intermediates in independent unrelated pathways (IUP model). However, detailed structural information indicates that all of the protein population folds through a sequence of intermediates predetermined by the foldon substructure of the target protein and a sequential stabilization principle. These contrary views can be resolved by a predetermined pathway—optional error (PPOE) hypothesis. The hypothesis is that any pathway intermediate can incorporate a chance misfolding error that blocks folding and must be reversed for productive folding to continue. Different fractions of the protein population will then block at different steps, populate different intermediates, and fold at different rates, giving the appearance of multiple unrelated pathways. A test of the hypothesis matches the two models against extensive kinetic folding results for hen lysozyme which have been widely cited in support of independent parallel pathways. The PPOE model succeeds with fewer fitting constants. The fitted PPOE reaction scheme leads to known folding behavior, whereas the IUP properties are contradicted by experiment. The appearance of a conflict with multipath theoretical models seems to be due to their different focus, namely on multitrack microscopic behavior versus cooperative macroscopic behavior. The integration of three well‐documented principles in the PPOE model (cooperative foldons, sequential stabilization, optional errors) provides a unifying explanation for how proteins fold and why they fold in that way.
A Brief Review of Research Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Measure Activation of the Prefrontal Cortex during Emotional Processing: The Importance of Experimental Design

During the past two decades there has been a pronounced increase in the number of published research studies that have employed near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure neural activation. The technique is now an accepted neuroimaging tool adopted by cognitive neuroscientists to investigate a number of fields, one of which is the study of emotional processing. Crucially, one brain region that is important to the processing of emotional information is the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and NIRS is ideally suited to measuring activity in this region. Compared to other methods used to record neural activation, NIRS reduces the discomfort to participants, makes data collection from larger sample sizes more achievable, and allows measurement of activation during tasks involving physical movement. However, the use of NIRS to investigate the links between emotion and cognition has revealed mixed findings. For instance, whilst some studies report increased PFC activity associated with the processing of negative information, others show increased activity in relation to positive information. Research shows differences in PFC activity between different cognitive tasks, yet findings also vary within similar tasks. This work reviews a selection of recent studies that have adopted NIRS to study PFC activity during emotional processing in both healthy individuals and patient populations. It highlights the key differences between research findings and argues that variations in experimental design could be a contributing factor to the mixed results. Guidance is provided for future work in this area in order to improve consistency within this growing field.
Prediction of outcome in the critically ill using an artificial neural network synthesised by a genetic algorithm

Summary The uncertain fate of individual patients in intensive care results from the heterogeneity of case-mix, life threatening insults, and the host response to such insults. These variables preclude an accurate prediction of likely outcome. Logistic regression models incorporating large numbers of those measurements which vary from patient to patient, and relate to prognosis, have been designed in an effort to predict accurately clinical outcome. A neural net, whose structure was selected by means of a genetic algorithm, predicted hospital mortality more accurately than a logistic regression model.
Quantum query: complexity and distributed computing

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A 40 nm 144 mW VLSI processor for realtime 60 kWord continuous speech recognition

We have developed a low-power VLSI chip for 60-kWord real-time continuous speech recognition based on a Hidden Markov Model (HMM). Our implementation includes a cache architecture using locality of speech recognition, beam pruning using a dynamic threshold, two-stage language model searching, highly parallel Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) computation based on the mixture level, a variable 50-frame look-ahead scheme and elastic pipeline operation between the Viterbi transition and GMM processing. Results show that our implementation achieves 95% bandwidth reduction (70.86 MB/s) and 78% required frequency reduction (126.5 MHz) for 60-kWord real-time continuous speech recognition. The test chip, fabricated using 40 nm CMOS technology and containing 1.9 M transistors for logic and 7.8 Mbit on-chip memory, occupies 2.2 mm × 2.5 mm area. Measured data show 144 mW power consumption at 126.5 MHz and 1.1 V.
An Agomir of miR-144-3p Accelerates Plaque Formation through Impairing Reverse Cholesterol Transport and Promoting Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production

Aims ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) mediates the efflux of cholesterol and phospholipids to lipid-poor apolipoproteins, which then form nascent HDL, a key step in the mechanism of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). While a series of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as potent post-transcriptional regulators of lipid metabolism, their effects on ABCA1 function and associated mechanisms remain unclear. Methods and Results ABCA1 was identified as a potential target of miR-144-3p, based on the results of bioinformatic analysis and the luciferase reporter assay, and downregulated after transfection of cells with miR-144-3p mimics, as observed with real-time PCR and western blot. Moreover, miR-144-3p mimics (agomir) enhanced the expression of inflammatory factors, including IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, in vivo and in vitro, inhibited cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells, decreased HDL-C circulation and impaired RCT in vivo, resulting in accelerated pathological progression of atherosclerosis in apoE−/− mice. Clinical studies additionally revealed a positive correlation of circulating miR-144-3p with serum CK, CK-MB, LDH and AST in subjects with AMI. Conclusions Our findings clearly indicate that miR-144-3p is essential for the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis and inflammatory reactions, supporting its utility as a potential therapeutic target of atherosclerosis and a promising diagnostic biomarker of AMI.
Molecular and Genetic Determinants of the NMDA Receptor for Superior Learning and Memory Functions

The opening-duration of the NMDA receptors implements Hebb's synaptic coincidence-detection and is long thought to be the rate-limiting factor underlying superior memory. Here, we investigate the molecular and genetic determinants of the NMDA receptors by testing the “synaptic coincidence-detection time-duration” hypothesis vs. “GluN2B intracellular signaling domain” hypothesis. Accordingly, we generated a series of GluN2A, GluN2B, and GluN2D chimeric subunit transgenic mice in which C-terminal intracellular domains were systematically swapped and overexpressed in the forebrain excitatory neurons. The data presented in the present study supports the second hypothesis, the “GluN2B intracellular signaling domain” hypothesis. Surprisingly, we found that the voltage-gated channel opening-durations through either GluN2A or GluN2B are sufficient and their temporal differences are marginal. In contrast, the C-terminal intracellular domain of the GluN2B subunit is necessary and sufficient for superior performances in long-term novel object recognition and cued fear memories and superior flexibility in fear extinction. Intriguingly, memory enhancement correlates with enhanced long-term potentiation in the 10–100 Hz range while requiring intact long-term depression capacity at the 1–5 Hz range.
Conceptualization and Assessment of Adolescents’ Engagement and Disengagement in School

Abstract. Increasing school engagement is critical for improving academic achievement and reducing dropout rates. In order to increase student engagement and identify those students who are most disengaged from school, we need to conceptualize and measure student engagement appropriately. This study used a mixed method sequential exploratory design to develop and validate a student survey measure of school engagement that reflects a multidimensional conceptualization of engagement. Psychometric tests were conducted with a large racially and socioeconomically diverse sample of 5th–12th graders in the United States ( N = 3,632). Findings demonstrated that a bifactor multidimensional model fit the data appropriately and provided evidence of measurement invariance, construct, and predictive validity. Results provided a psychometrically sound foundation for capturing the behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of student engagement and disengagement in school.
Real-time EEG-based user's valence monitoring

An integration of real-time EEG-based human emotion recognition algorithms in brain-computer interfaces can make the user's experience more complete, more engaging, less emotionally stressful or more stressful depending on the target of the application. Valence component of emotion, level of pleasantness, is one of the most important criteria of online assessment of social processes from brain signals. Currently, EEG-based emotion recognition algorithms usually allow recognition of two to three levels of valence. In this paper, we propose a novel real-time subject-dependent algorithm that allows recognizing four levels of valence having the short sessions of calibration. The algorithm uses fractal dimension thresholds and adopts weighted average voting strategy. The proposed algorithm has a great potential to be used to monitor emotions during human-computer interaction.
What's Wrong with Early Medieval Medicine?

The medical writings of early medieval western Europe c. 700 – c. 1000 have often been derided for their disorganised appearance, poor Latin, nebulous conceptual framework, admixtures of magic and folklore, and general lack of those positive features that historians attribute to ancient or later medieval medicine. This paper attempts to rescue the period from its negative image. It examines a number of superficially bizarre writings so as to place them in an intellectual and sociological context, and to suggest that the presumed contrast between them and their ancient and later medieval counterparts has been wrongly drawn.
Learner intrinsic motivation in online social learning platforms: A case study of massive open online course (MOOC) in Thailand

This qualitative case study aimed to better understand how intrinsic motivation played an important role in MOOCs. Most of the research on MOOCs has been largely conducted using developed country MOOCs to examine the experiences of MOOC learners including their motivation. However, very little empirical research using developing country MOOCs has been conducted to investigate the same phenomenon. Specifically, qualitative case study research examining learner intrinsic motivation in Thailand has been urgently needed. The findings found that there were three factors of social conditions, environment conditions, and cultural conditions. Social conditions include peers, course facilitators, self-motivation, colleagues, and family members. Environmental conditions include accessibility, learning activities and resources, collaboration tools, learning systems, discussion forum, and feedback. Cultural conditions include Thai learners' traits and seniority.
Reflections on outreach programs in CS classes: learning objectives for "unplugged" activities

To provide a unified view of any scientific field, outreach programs need to realistically portray the subject in question. Consequently, topics and methods actually taught in Computer Science courses should to be touched upon in Computer Science outreach programs or, conversely, elements from successful Computer Science outreach programs can be used to enrich established courses in Computer Science. We follow up on the latter aspect and investigate how outreach material might be used as a teaching resource in lower secondary Computer Science. In particular, we extract and classify learning objectives from the activities of the well-received Computer Science Unplugged program. Based upon this classification, we comment on where and to which extent these activities can be used to enrich teaching Computer Science in secondary education.