Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radioactivity Levels and Soil-to-Plant Transfer Factor of Natural Radionuclides from Protectorate Area in Aswan, Egypt

The aim of this study is to determine the transfer factor soil-to-plant and to assess the concentration level of natural and artificial radionuclide (238U, 226Ra, 228Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs) in samples from Saluga and Ghazal Protectorate area in Aswan, Egypt, by using High Pure Germanium detector (HPGe) Environmental Radioactivity Measurements Labrotary in faculty of science Qena. Reported values for natural radionuclides ranged from 8.81 ± 0.64 to 28.88 ± 2.10, from 6.98 ± 0.51 to 26.01 ± 1.89, from 12.29 ± 0.89 to 33.32 ± 2.43, from 12.53 ± 0.91 to 32.81 ± 2.39 and from 383.90 ± 27.95 to 711.98 ± 51.83 Bq.kg-1 for 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. 137Cs activity concentration was found to be in the range from 0.36 ± 0.03 to 9.73 ± 0.71 Bq.kg-1 and was calculated through transfer factor TF reported in this article.
Toward a halal tourism market

This article begins by explaining the concept of Islamic Shariah. It explains the sources of Shariah as well as its higher objectives. The article focuses on the implications of observance of Shariah in the tourism and hospitality industries. Following this is a description of the recent phenomena of “Halal tourism" and “Islamic Hospitality” illustrated through selected examples from Muslim countries in Asia and the Middle East. The development of "Islamically oriented” standards is also discussed giving rise to new concepts such as “Shariah-compliant,” which refers to Islamic consideration of being alcohol free, gambling free, and the availability of “Halal” food. Lastly, the article discusses future trends and challenges related to Halal tourism.
Efficient cardiomyogenic differentiation of embryonic stem cell by fibroblast growth factor 2 and bone morphogenetic protein 2.

BACKGROUND Despite the pluripotency of embryonic stem (ES) cells, the specific control of their cardiomyogenic differentiation remains difficult. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether growth factors may efficiently enhance the in vitro cardiac differentiation of ES cells. METHODS AND RESULTS Recombinant growth factors at various concentrations or their inhibitors were added according to various schedules during the cardiomyogenic differentiation of ES cells. Cardiomyogenic differentiation was assessed by mRNA and protein expressions of several cardiomyocyte-specific genes. Basic fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and/or bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) efficiently enhanced the cardiomyogenic differentiation, but only when they were added at the optimal concentration (1.0 ng/ml in FGF-2 and 0.2 ng/ml in BMP-2; relatively lower than expected in both cases) for the first 3 days. Inhibition of FGF-2 and/or BMP-2 drastically suppressed the cardiomyogenic differentiation. CONCLUSION FGF-2 and BMP-2 play a crucial role in early cardiomyogenesis. The achievement of efficient cardiac differentiation using both growth factors may facilitate ES cell-derived cell therapy for heart diseases as well as contribute to developmental studies of the heart.
Research article: Look after they leap: illustrating the value of retrospective reports in employee turnover

The prevailing methodology for studying employee turnover is limited because it emphasizes prediction rather than understanding. This paper critiques this methodology and draws out the implications of an alternative: retrospective self-reporting, by actual leavers. Retrospective self-reporting has three main advantages. First, it allows direct assessment of actual incidents of turnover, so interventions can be informed by accounts of real events, instead of being based on inference. Second, it offers insight into the dynamic character of decisions to quit, which are often unpredictable or precipitated by sudden events. Third, it allows for assessment of the role of non-work factors. This makes a methodological contribution, allowing greater insight into the decision to quit, which is ontologically, socially and dynamically complex. It has implications for how we construe and manage turnover. The argument is illustrated by a recent study of 352 UK National Health Service nurse leavers but has wider implications for turnover in the public sector.
Predictive Biomarkers and Personalized Medicine Rebiopsy of Lung Cancer Patients with Acquired Resistance to EGFR Inhibitors and Enhanced Detection of the T 790 M Mutation Using a Locked Nucleic Acid-Based Assay

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation T790M is reported in approximately 50% of lung cancers with acquired resistance to EGFR inhibitors and is a potential prognostic and predictive biomarker. Its assessment can be challenging due to limited tissue availability and underdetection at low mutant allele levels. Here, we sought to determine the feasibility of tumor rebiopsy and to more accurately assess the prevalence of the T790M using a highly sensitive locked nucleic acid (LNA) PCR/ sequencing assay. MET amplification was also analyzed. Methods: Patients with acquired resistance were rebiopsied and samples were studied for sensitizing EGFRmutations. Positive cases were evaluated for T790M using standard PCR-based methods and a subset were re-evaluated with an LNA-PCR/sequencing method with an analytical sensitivity of approximately 0.1%. MET amplification was assessed by FISH. Results: Of 121 patients undergoing tissue sampling, 104 (86%) were successfully analyzed for sensitizing EGFR mutations. Most failures were related to low tumor content. All patients (61/61) with matched pretreatment and resistance specimens showed concordance for the original sensitizing EGFR mutation. Standard T790M mutation analysis on 99 patients detected 51(51%) mutants. Retesting of 30 negative patients by the LNA-based method detected 11 additional mutants for an estimated prevalence of 68%. MET was amplified in 11% of cases (4/37). Conclusions: The re-biopsy of lung cancer patients with acquired resistance is feasible and provides sufficient material for mutation analysis in most patients. Using high sensitivity methods, the T790M is detected in up to 68% of these patients. Clin Cancer Res; 17(5); 1169–80. 2011 AACR.
Daughters increase longevity of fathers, but daughters and sons equally reduce longevity of mothers

Reproduction is energetically and physiologically expensive, and an individual investing resources into producing offspring should suffer costs such as deterioration in health condition and possibly shorter life span. Since the energetic and nutritional demands of pregnancy and breastfeeding render reproductive costs much higher in women than in men, women with a large number of children should show signs of deterioration in condition, while men with large families should not. However, whether reproductive costs reduce longevity in women is still questionable, and in men this issue has not been adequately addressed. In addition, since sons are energetically more expensive to produce than daughters, having sons should have a more pronounced negative impact on maternal longevity than having daughters. Here we document a striking disparity in the impact of children on the life span of mothers and fathers in a Polish rural population. We show for the first time that number of daughters was positively related to a longer life span of their fathers, increasing their longevity on average by 74 weeks per daughter born, while number of sons did not have a significant effect on paternal longevity. In contrast, in women, the number of daughters and number of sons reduced maternal longevity and did so to the same extent, on average by 95 weeks per son or daughter, indicating that for women, the costs of having sons and daughters are similar. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 18:422–425, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early school leavers and NEETs in the UK. Trends, consequences and policies

Early school leavers is a relevant priority for the UK as it has a higher rate of early school leaving (13,5%) than the EU average (12,7%). Early school leaving has a negative impact both on the individuals concerned and on society at large in terms of holding back economic performance and undermining democracy. In the UK the group of interest, however, is NEETs among 16-24 year olds rather than early school leavers. The number of NEETs has declined in recent years to the point of reaching pre-crisis levels, but the percentage of NEETs among 19-24 year olds is almost twice as high as among 16-18 year olds. Paradoxically, government policies primarily target the younger age group, with the extension of compulsory education and training to age 18 likely to be the most effective measure to further reduce the number of NEETs in this category. The little it has done influencing the older group has had negative effects: the decision to increase tuition fees to 9000 pounds has led to a dramatic decline in the numbers of 19-24 year olds enrolling in higher education. The UK appears to have developed its policies on NEETs largely independently of European policy initiatives.
A Comparison of Estimators for Empirical Models of Auctions

Using structural econometric models of equilibrium behaviour in games with incomplete information to intrepret field data from auctions has become increasingly widespread. Several different estimation strategies now exist. In this paper, I compare the performance of these different estimators using a stylized empirical model of a procurement auction within the independent private values paradigm.
ICT in agriculture : connecting smallholders to knowledge, networks, and institutions

The livelihoods of the world's poor rise and fall with the fate of agriculture. Enhancing the ability of smallholders to connect with the knowledge, networks, and institutions necessary to improve their productivity, food security, and employment opportunities is a fundamental development challenge. Where once rural areas were largely disconnected from the greater world, today, networks of information and communication technologies (ICTs) enmesh the globe and represent a transformational opportunity for rural populations, both as producers and consumers. However, climate change and price fluctuations in the global food market remind us that realizing this opportunity requires a long-term commitment to mobilizing appropriate resources and expertise. It is for this reason that we are particularly pleased to introduce the ICT in agriculture e-sourcebook. This resource was designed to support practitioners, decision-makers, and development partners who work at the intersection of ICT and agriculture. The authors hope is that it becomes a practical guide in understanding current trends, implementing appropriate interventions, and evaluating the impact of those programs. It combines cutting-edge expertise in ICT with empirical knowledge of a wide range of agricultural sectors, from governance to supply chain management. As an online knowledge source, it will continue to evolve and be updated to reflect the emerging and changing challenges and opportunities facing the sector. This activity was carried out as part of the program on creating sustainable businesses in the knowledge economy, for which the Government of Finland provided generous support. The publication represents a partnership of infoDev and the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of the World Bank Group, with significant contributions from outside experts.
Synthesis of Si, N co-Doped Nano-Sized TiO2 with High Thermal Stability and Photocatalytic Activity by Mechanochemical Method

Τhe photocatalytic activity in the range of visible light wavelengths and the thermal stability of the structure were significantly enhanced in Si, N co-doped nano-sized TiO2, and synthesized through high-energy mechanical milling of TiO2 and SiO2 powders, which was followed by calcination at 600 °C in an ammonia atmosphere. High-energy mechanical milling had a pronounced effect on the mixing and the reaction between the starting powders and greatly favored the transformation of the resultant powder mixture into an amorphous phase that contained a large number of evenly-dispersed nanocrystalline TiO2 particles as anatase seeds. The experimental results suggest that the elements were homogeneously dispersed at an atomic level in this amorphous phase. After calcination, most of the amorphous phase was crystallized, which resulted in a unique nano-sized crystalline-core/disordered-shell morphology. This novel experimental process is simple, template-free, and provides features of high reproducibility in large-scale industrial production.
Social interaction, herd behaviour and the formation of agent expectations

Survey data on agent expectations appear to experience inertia, remaining relatively stable for protracted periods punctuated with the occasional structural shift initiated by exogenous changes. The data is also characterised with an underlying level of volatility which varies over time. This paper examines if social interaction and herd behaviour, based on the social learning literature, can explain the characteristics of this dynamic process. The social learning takes place in a network with small world characteristics. Moving from an ordered to a small world network dramatically increases the level of volatility and it quickly reaches a higher state (at which point increasing the randomness of the network has little effect). Assuming that all social networks have small world characteristics then there is an inherent level of volatility in expectations formation. Increasing the influence of experts, by increasing the number of connections from these agents, also increases volatility. This may explain the variability in volatility over time. Finally, it is found that under certain network structures, where the number of connections between agents is increased, herd behaviour leads to information cascades potentially leading to the formation of speculative bubbles
Results from the Teach For America 2017 National Principal Survey

The results of the 2015 National Principal Survey show the context in which Teach For America (TFA) corps members work, how principals perceive corps members, and how principals perceive their interactions with TFA. These findings can help TFA staff provide more-tailored supports to corps members, inform professional development, and continue to build relationships with the principals of schools in which corps members serve.
Use of S-[2,3-Bispalmitoyiloxy-(2R)-Propyl]-R-Cysteinyl-Amido-Monomethoxy Polyethylene Glycol as an Adjuvant Improved Protective Immunity Associated with a DNA Vaccine Encoding Cu,Zn Superoxide Dismutase of Brucella abortus in Mice

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a DNA vaccine encoding Brucella abortus Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) using the Toll-like receptor 2/6 agonist S-[2,3-bispalmitoyiloxy-(2R)-propyl]-R-cysteinyl-amido-monomethoxy polyethylene glycol (BPPcysMPEG) as an adjuvant. Intranasal coadministration of BPPcysMPEG with a plasmid carrying the SOD-encoding gene (pcDNA-SOD) into BALB/c mice elicited antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Humoral responses were characterized by the stimulation of IgG2a and IgG1 and by the presence of SOD-specific secretory IgA in nasal and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. Furthermore, T-cell proliferative responses and increased production of gamma interferon were also observed upon splenocyte restimulation with recombinant SOD. Cytotoxic responses were also stimulated, as demonstrated by the lysis of RB51-SOD-infected J774.A1 macrophages by cells recovered from immunized mice. The pcDNA-SOD/BPPcysMPEG formulation induced improved protection against challenge with the virulent strain B. abortus 2308 in BALB/c mice over that provided by pcDNA-SOD, suggesting the potential of this vaccination strategy against Brucella infection.
Spiking Deep Residual Network

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) have received significant attention for their biological plausibility. SNNs theoretically have at least the same computational power as traditional artificial neural networks (ANNs). They possess potential of achieving energy-efficiency while keeping comparable performance to deep neural networks (DNNs). However, it is still a big challenge to train a very deep SNN. In this paper, we propose an efficient approach to build a spiking version of deep residual network (ResNet). ResNet is considered as a kind of the state-of-the-art convolutional neural networks (CNNs). We employ the idea of converting a trained ResNet to a network of spiking neurons, named Spiking ResNet (S-ResNet). We propose a shortcut conversion model to appropriately scale continuous-valued activations to match firing rates in SNN, and a compensation mechanism to reduce the error caused by discretisation. Experimental results demonstrate that, compared with the state-of-the-art SNN approaches, the proposed Spiking ResNet achieves the best performance on CIFAR-10, CIFAR-100, and ImageNet 2012. Our work is the first time to build a SNN deeper than 40, with comparable performance to ANNs on a large-scale dataset.
Auctions and the Price of Art

This paper contains a review of the burgeoning new research of the last decade that has been designed to shed light on how the art auction system works, what it indicates about price formation, and how well it performs. We begin with a short description of the mechanics of the auction system and then organize the remainder of our discussion around two major topics: how auction prices can be used to determine and compare overall price movements within the art market and with other markets; and how the auction mechanism influences prices.
CAPM Equilibria with Prospect Theory Preferences

Under the assumption of normally distributed returns, we analyze whether the Cumulative Prospect Theory of Tversky and Kahneman (1992) is consistent with the Capital Asset Pricing Model. We find that in every financial market equilibrium, the Security Market Line Theorem holds. However, under the functional form for the utility index suggested by Tversky and Kahneman (1992), the conditions for existence of financial market equilibria exclude economically meaningful equilibria. We suggest an alternative functional form that is consistent with both, the experimental results of Tversky and Kahneman (1992), and also with the existence of economically meaningful equilibria
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Non-smokers: A Case-Comparison Study

Abstract Background: COPD is often regarded as a smoker's disease. In fact, up to 50% of COPD could be attributable to other causes. Relatively little is known about COPD among nonsmokers, and this group is usually excluded from studies of COPD. Methods: In this cross-sectional case-comparison study, smokers and nonsmokers aged over 45 with COPD (post-bronchodilator FEV1 ≤ 70% predicted, FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7) were recruited from specialist outpatient clinics and from primary care. Subjects completed a questionnaire and interview, and underwent spirometry, venesection, exhaled nitric oxide (ENO) measurement, allergen skinprick testing, formal lung function testing and high resolution CT. Results: 48 nonsmokers and 45 smokers participated. Asthma was nearly universal among nonsmokers and was the commonest identifiable cause of COPD in that group. Nonsmokers also exhibited a high prevalence of objective eosinophilic inflammation (raised ENO and eosinophil counts, positive skinprick tests). Smokers had more severe airflow obstruction, but respiratory symptom prevalences were similar between groups. Nonsmokers reported greater lifetime burdens of respiratory disease. Nonsmokers’ HRCT results showed functional small airways disease, with no significant emphysema in any subject. Previously undiagnosed bronchiectasis was common in both groups (31% and 42%). Conclusions: Asthma is a very common cause of COPD among nonsmokers. Radiological bronchiectasis is common in COPD; the clinical significance of this finding is unclear.
Upgrading, Relocating, Informalising? Local Strategies in the Era of Globalisation: The Thai Garment Industry

The garment industry was once the leading manufacturing-based export sector of Thailand. While its international competitiveness has been diminishing since the 1990s primarily due to increases in wage levels, it nevertheless remains an important source of income for a large number of workers. Given this fact, we look at what survival strategies garment suppliers have adopted. In particular, this paper will examine the Thai garment industry from a global value chains perspective, and determine whether upgrading in process, products or functions has occurred. In this context, the paper shows that the Thai garment industry has been stagnating in terms of process and product upgrading. This, in turn, has induced suppliers to move to rural areas where cheaper labour, including migrant labour, is more readily available. We attempt to provide a more evidence-based account of this industrial relocation using unpublished data. Functional upgrading in more locally oriented production networks has occurred; however, competition in such functions has also increased, leading to price-based competition and the erosion of economic rents of network co-ordinators. The paper further argues that informalisation is becoming more common in production and employment relationships, and concludes that such strategies may not be viable in the long run.
Zonal Distr ibution of Chylomicron Remnant Uptake in Ra t Liver Parenchymal Cells

The binding and internalization of chylomicron remnants in rat hepatocytes originating from the periportal and perivenous zones was compared. The hepatocyte sub-populations were separated by centrifugal elutriation and incubated with I-labelled chylomicron remnants at 37 °C (to measure binding and internalization) or 4°C (to measure initial binding). Periportal and perivenous cells bound and internalised similar amounts of remnants up to a concentration of about 25 /ig remnant protein per assay, but at higher concentrations the periportal cells were able to internalise significantly more remnants. When excess unlabelled low density lipoprotein was added to the incubations, little effect on the kinetics of either binding or internalization of the remnants was observed. Lactoferrin, an inhibitor of uptake via the remnant receptor, also did not affect the initial binding of the remnants to either cell type, but decreased internalization to similar extents in both sub-populations. These results suggest that periportal hepatocytes have a greater capacity for the uptake of chylomicron remnants than perivenous cells, and that the remnant receptor plays a more important role than the low density lipoprotein receptor in both sub-populations. This acinar heterogeneity parallels that reported previously for cholesterol de novo synthesis, bile formation, lipid content and hepatic lipase secretion.
Rh antibodies detectable only by enzyme technique.

The titration of Rh antibodies at intervals during pregnancy by various methods has led to evidence for the existence of an Rh antibody or antibodies detectable by an enzyme (papain) method but not by anti-human-globulin. Adsorption experiments show that this antibody is less readily absorbed by red cells than the other Rh antibodies unless the cells are pretreated with enzyme. This fact may possibly account for the finding of a negative or weakly positive anti-human-globulin test associated with moderate or high titres by enzyme techniques. The relationship of this antibody to the general immunization process in pregnant women is discussed.