Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aid for Trade Effectiveness: Complementarities with Economic Integration

Developing countries are increasingly using regional integration as a main policy lever when pursuing a trade-led growth strategy, and today, ‘deep’ preferential trade agreements go beyond trade policy negotiations and cover trade facilitation issues. Since aid for trade (AfT) has been recognized as a powerful instrument for increasing developing countries’ trade capacity by targeting internal trade costs, this paper tests whether complementarities exist between this type of aid and economic integration using a gravity model on panel data for the period 1995 to 2005. Results indicate that AfT, when combined with economic integration, has been effective in increasing trade flows. Both South-South and North-South trade flows have benefited and the combination of the two instruments has been particularly effective in expanding the South’s exports to the North. Finally, when breaking down AfT into categories, assistance to trade-related institutions seems to generate the strongest complementarities with economic integration.
Effect of Previous Experience on Grazing Patterns and Diet Selection of Brangus Cows in the Chihuahuan Desert

Abstract The ability to adapt to different environments is critical when livestock are moved because of drought or other management considerations. The impact of previous experience on grazing patterns and diet selection of Brangus cows in desert conditions was evaluated. Cows originating from a humid-subtropical environment (Leona, Texas) were brought to the Chihuahuan Desert (naïve) and evaluated against cows that spent their life in the Chihuahuan Desert (native) and cows that were born and raised in the Chihuahuan Desert but were moved to Leona, Texas during the preceding 3 yr (tourist). In addition, native cows with recent experience in desert conditions were compared with naïve cows and tourist cows that had not been in the Chihuahuan Desert for at least 3 yr. All cows were mature and had similar pedigrees (n = 21). Cows from the three groups were tracked in three extensive pastures (> 1 000 ha) for three 8–10-d periods during winter, early summer, and later summer. Cows never grazed in the experimental pastures before the study, but native and tourist cows had grazed adjacent pastures. Fecal near-infrared spectroscopy was used to estimate diet quality. Naïve cows used 335 ha ± 83 standard error (SE) less area (P = 0.06) and were 479 m ± 105 SE closer to water (P = 0.03) than cows born and raised in the Chihuahuan Desert (native and tourist cows pooled) when first evaluated in winter. After pooling all data, native cows were farther (P = 0.06) from water (730 m ± 283 SE) and spent less time at water (10.53% ± 3.93 SE) than cows that did not spend their entire life in the desert (naïve and tourist pooled). During winter and early summer (drought conditions), naïve cows selected diets with lower (P < 0.05) crude protein (CP) than cows born in the desert, but during late summer after abundant precipitation naïve cows selected a diet with higher (P = 0.07) CP. Although Brangus cows are highly adaptable, animals raised in nearby pastures appear to have advantages over naïve animals when grazing Chihuahuan Desert rangeland.
Prognostic implication of molecular subtypes and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 760 gastric carcinomas: role of Epstein–Barr virus infection and high‐ and low‐microsatellite instability

Epstein–Barr virus positivity (EBV(+)) and high‐microsatellite instability (MSI‐H) have been identified as molecular subgroups in gastric carcinoma. The aim of our study was to determine the prognostic and predictive relevance of these subgroups in the context of platinum/5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) based preoperative chemotherapy (CTx). Additionally, we investigated the clinical relevance of the low‐MSI (MSI‐L) phenotype. We analysed 760 adenocarcinomas of the stomach or the gastro‐oesophageal junction encompassing 143 biopsies before CTx and 617 resected tumours (291 without and 326 after CTx). EBV was determined by PCR and in situ hybridisation for selected cases. MSI was analysed by PCR using five microsatellite markers and classified as MSI‐H and MSI‐L. Frequencies of EBV(+), MSI‐H and MSI‐L in the biopsies before CTx were 4.2, 10.5 and 4.9% respectively. EBV(+) or MSI‐H did not correlate with response, but MSI‐L was associated with better response (p = 0.011). In the resected tumours, frequencies of EBV(+), MSI‐H and MSI‐L were 3.9, 9.6 and 4.5% respectively. Overall survival (OS) was significantly different in the non‐CTx group (p = 0.014). Patients with EBV(+) tumours showed the best OS, followed by MSI‐H. MSI‐L was significantly associated with worse OS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–4.04, p = 0.01). In the resected tumours after CTx, MSI‐H was also associated with increased OS (HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.26–1.09, p = 0.085). In multivariable analysis, molecular classification was an independent prognostic factor in the completely resected (R0) non‐CTx group (p = 0.035). In conclusion, MSI‐H and EBV(+) are not predictive of response to neoadjuvant platinum/5‐FU based CTx, but they are indicative of a good prognosis. In particular, MSI‐H indicates a favourable prognosis irrespective of treatment with CTx. MSI‐L predicts good response to CTx and its negative prognostic effect for patients treated with surgery alone suggests that MSI‐L might help to identify patients with potentially high‐benefit from preoperative CTx.
Biogenesis of nanoparticles: A review

Advancement in nanotechnology mainly depends upon advancement in nanomaterial. There are many chemical routes known to use toxic chemicals for synthesis of nanoparticles but the need of the hour is to use environmental benign, greener and safer routes. Researchers are looking to use various living organisms as ‘nanoparticle factories’. Various biological entities like bacteria, fungi, diatoms, higher plants, actinomycetes and viruses have been used for this purpose. Due to their normal biosynthetic pathways, they can reduce salt into corresponding nanoparticles. This review includes some of the biological sources which have been used by researchers for the synthesis of nanoparticles and their applications. Keywords: Biogenesis, nanofactories, nanoparticles, antimicrobial activity, semiconductor nanoparticles. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol 13(28) 2778-2785
Workplace Indirect Cost Impacts of Nasal and Sinus Symptoms and Related Conditions.

OBJECTIVE Evaluate associations of nasal and sinus and related symptoms, as well as selected health conditions which produce those symptoms, with total lost productive time (LPT) at work in the past two weeks. METHODS We used a cross-sectional analysis of 2402 currently working subjects. Self-reported physician diagnoses, condition statuses measured with standardized instruments, and symptom-based factor scores from an exploratory factor analysis were used in survey weighted log-binomial regression. RESULTS Pain and pressure, nasal blockage and discharge, and asthma and constitutional symptom factor scores as well as self-reported allergic rhinitis were associated with higher total LPT. Individuals who met operationalized criteria for multiple health conditions, especially chronic rhinosinusitis, had the greatest total LPT. CONCLUSIONS Better management of these symptoms, and awareness of how they impact an individual's ability to perform job-functions in the workplace, could improve overall productivity.
Volatility and Mean Spill-Over Effects in Asian Bond Markets

This paper empirically examines the existence of volatility and mean spill-over effects from the US and EMU bond markets into those of seven Asian countries. Using a GARCH framework to capture the first and second moments of spill-overs during the 1996-2003 period, our results provide strong support mainly for the existence of volatility spill-over effects, and then primarily from the US bond market. Furthermore, the volatility spill-over effects from the US market appear to have increased over time. The extent of pure local volatility effects remains considerable in all test countries.
Effects of curzerene and Smyrnium cordifolium Boiss. extract on addiction withdrawal syndrome in mice

Introduction: The purpose of this study was evaluating the effect of Smyrnium cordifolium extract (SCE) and curzerene (Cur) on withdrawal syndrome in mice compared with clonidine.Methods: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the active ingredients of S. cordifolium. To evaluate the effects of SCE and Cur, 64 mice were divided into 8 equal groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were treated Cur (0.03, 0.06, 0.12 mg/kg, respectively). Groups 4, 5 and 6 were treated with SCE (100, 200, 300 mg/kg, respectively). The seventh group received just morphine. Group 8 received morphine and clonidine (0.2 mg/kg). Results: The results of this study showed that Cur was the most important ingredient in the extract of the plant, and the hydroalcoholic extract yield of S. cordifolium was 17.55% (w/w). The dose of 100 mg/kg of extract (SCE100) and 0.03 mg/kg curzerene (Cur1) (P < 0.05), dose of 200 mg/kg of extract (SCE200) and dose of 0.06 mg/kg curzerene (Cur2), (P < 0.01), dose of 300 mg/kg of extract (SCE300) and dose of 0.12 mg/kg of curzerene (Cur3) (P < 0.001) decreased the symptoms compared to clonidine. Doses higher than 300 mg/kg of extract and 0.12 mg/kg of Cur had fatal effects. All doses of SCE and Cur in comparison with the control group at significant level (P < 0.001) reduced the number of jumping, rearing and teeth chattering in morphine-dependent mice.Conclusion: The findings suggest that SCE and Cur are capable of reducing the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome and their effectiveness may be more than clonidine in reducing the addiction withdrawal syndrome, which may have human therapeutic potential.
Student team projects in information systems development: Measuring collective creative efficacy

For information systems development project student teams, learning how to improve software development processes is an important training. Software process improvement is an outcome of a number of creative behaviours. Social cognitive theory states that the efficacy of judgment influences behaviours. This study explores the impact of three types of team knowledge: domain knowledge, methodological knowledge and implementation knowledge, as well as achievement motivation on student teams' collective creative efficacy (CCE) during information system development. This research also discusses the correlation between CCE and project performance using data from 98 student teams. Because of the difference in project characteristics, we divided the teams into "actual demand" project teams (having a real business case) and "suppositional demand" (having no real case, just an artificial or simulated case) project teams. The results show that achievement motivation positively influences CCE, either in "actual demand" teams or in "suppositional demand" teams. Domain knowledge is significantly correlated to CCE in "actual demand" teams, but methodological knowledge and implementation knowledge significantly influenced CCE in "suppositional demand" teams. CCE is not significantly related to project performance in "actual demand" teams. However, CCE is related to process performance and product performance in "suppositional demand" teams. Whilst this study explores issues in team project learning activities for students in information systems, some suggestions are made for educational designers using similar activities in other disciplines.
Management factors associated with bovine respiratory disease in preweaned calves on California dairies: The BRD 100 study

ABSTRACT The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine how management practices on California dairies may be associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in preweaned calves. A convenience sample of 100 dairies throughout California, providing a study population of 4,636 calves, were visited between May 2014 and April 2016. During each farm visit, in-person interviews with the herd manager or calf caretaker were conducted to collect information about herd demographics, maternity pen, colostrum and calf management, herd vaccinations, and dust abatement. A random sample of preweaned calves was identified and evaluated for the presence of BRD using a standardized tool. A survey-adjusted generalized linear mixed model with a logit link function was fitted with calf as the unit of analysis and dairy as the random effect. Mean study herd size (±SE) was 1,718 (±189.9) cows. Survey-adjusted estimates of breed types in the sample were 81.6% (±0.6) Holstein, 13.1% (±0.4) Jersey, and 5.3% (±0.5) crossbred or other purebred breeds, and calf sex proportions were 73.8% (±1.0) female and 26.2% (±1.0) male. Overall survey-adjusted BRD prevalence in the study herds was 6.91% (±0.69). Housing factors positively associated with BRD were metal hutches compared with wood hutches [odds ratio (OR) = 11.19; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.80–44.78], calf-to-calf contact in calves >75 d of age (OR = 9.95, 95% CI = 1.50–65.86), feeding Holstein calves <2.84 L of milk or replacer per day (OR = 7.16, 95% CI = 1.23–41.68), and lagoon water used for flushing manure under hutches compared with no flush (OR = 12.06, 95% CI = 1.93–75.47). Providing extra shade over hutches (OR = 0.08; 95% CI = 0.02–0.37), feeding calves at least 90% saleable milk (OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.13–0.54) or pasteurized milk (OR = 0.10; 95% CI = 0.03–0.36), and feeding >5.68 L of milk or replacer per day to Jersey calves (OR = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.01–0.28) were negatively associated with BRD. Our study identified management practices on California dairies with variability and that may contribute to differences in BRD prevalence, which will be incorporated into a risk-assessment tool to control and prevent BRD in preweaned dairy calves.
Current and Evolving Concepts on the Pathogenesis of Diverticular Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Diverticulosis of the colon is the most common anatomic alteration of the human colon, and it is characterized by the out-pouching of the colonic mucosa and submucosa through the muscular layer. Recurrent abdominal pain is experienced by about 20% of patients with diverticulosis, and inflammation of diverticula may lead to acute diverticulitis. In the past few years, several studies have investigated the factors predisposing or triggering diverticular disease (DD) occurrence. Moreover, new physiopathological knowledge has been acquired. The aim of this study was to review current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of DD. METHODS A search of PubMed and EMBASE database was performed to identify articles relevant to the pathogenesis of DD. RESULTS Several papers have shown that genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and colonic dysmotility are implicated in the pathogenesis of DD. More recent studies have associated specific host immune responses, gut microbiota imbalance and therefore low-grade inflammation as contributors to symptom occurrence in DD and diverticulitis. CONCLUSIONS Current and evolving evidence highlighted the role of genetic susceptibility, environment, colonic motility, visceral sensitivity, immune response, and microbiota in the pathogenesis of this disease. Further studies are required to identify potential targets for medical or surgical decision-making.
PREVALENCE OF EXTENDED-SPECTRUM ß-LACTAMASES IN NOSOCOMIAL AND OUTPATIENTS (AMBULATORY)

Objective: To determine the prevalence of extended-spectrum fl-lactamases (ESBLs) among the bacteria of family Enterobacteriaceae isolated from Nosocomial and outpatients, with double disc diffusion / synergy test. Design: The bacterial strains were isolated from pus, sputum, blood, urine, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid and cerebro-spinal fluid samples, obtained from both Nosocomial and outpatients. Setting: The samples were obtained from patients admitted in oncology, post-operative surgical, kidney transplant center / urology wards and intensive care unit of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences as well as outpatients of the hospital. Subject: Bacterial isolates, of family Enterobacteriaceae, were obtained from 200 Nosocomial and 200 outpatients (ambulatory). The isolates were sub-cultured, identified, and the double disc diffusion / synergy test was performed for detection of ESBLs. Main outcome measures: Double disc diffusion / synergy test, for the detection of ESBLs production in Enterobacteriaceae. Results: Prevalence of ESBLs in the Enterobacteriaceae was found to be 37.50% in Nosocomial and 06% in outpatient isolates. Highest prevalence was seen in Klebsiella pneumoniae (70%), followed by Enterobacter cloacae (33.33%) and Escherichia coli (28.57%) in case of Nosocomial isolates while in case of out-patient (ambulatory) isolates, the Enterobacter cloacae are the most prevalent ESBLs producers (8.33%). Conclusions: Prevalence of ESBLs among the bacteria of family Enterobacteriaceae was higher in isolates obtained from Nosocomial patients as compared to out-patient (ambulatory) isolates. Such type of antimicrobial resistance appears to be particularly influenced by irrational use of antibiotics. To overcome this problem, the combined competencies of clinicians, microbiologists and the infection control team are needed.
Amenability for Fell bundles over groupoids

We establish conditions under which the universal and reduced norms coincide for a Fell bundle over a groupoid. Specifically, we prove that the full and reduced C � -algebras of any Fell bundle over a measurewise amenable groupoid coincide, and also that for a groupoid G whose orbit space is T0, the full and reduced algebras of a Fell bundle over G coincide if the full and reduced algebras of the restriction of the bundle to each isotropy group coincide.
Audio describing the exposition phase of films. Teaching students what to choose

La audiodescripcion se esta introduciendo progresivamente en los productos audiovisuales y esto tiene como resultado por una parte la necesidad de formar a los futuros audiodescriptores y, por otra parte, formar a los formadores con unas herramientas adecuadas para ensenar como audiodescribir. No cabe la menor que como documento de partida para la formacion las guias y normas de audiodescripcion existentes son de una gran utilidad, sin embargo, estas no son perfectas ya que no ofrecen respuestas a algunas cuestiones esenciales como que es lo que se debe describir cuando no se cuenta con el tiempo suficiente para describir todo lo que sucede. El presente articulo analiza una de las cuestiones que normalmente no responden las guias o normas: que se debe priorizar. Se demostrara como una profundizacion en la narrativa de peliculas y una mejor percepcion de las pistas visuales que ofrece el director puede ayudar a decidir la informacion que se recoge. Los fundamentos teoricos expuestos en la primera parte del articulo se aplicaran a la secuencia expositiva de la pelicula Ransom
Did minimum wage increases reduce employment? Panel data evidence from Romania

Rising minimum wages is a popular policy used to increase the income of low wage workers, reduce inequalities and improve labour market participation. However, there are concerns among policy makers about its possible negative effects on employment. This paper examines the effect of minimum wage increases on regional employment, using a panel of 42 NUTS III regions from Romania over a recent period, 2008-2014, which includes the economic crisis and the recovery. The results show that, on average, increases in minimum wages had an insignificant effect on employment during the period studied. The results are robust to different specifications. They also highlight the importance of a strong manufacturing base for raising regional employment.
Elevated serum YKL40 level is a predictor of MACE during the long-term follow up in hypertensive patients

ABSTRACT Background: YKL-40 (human cartilage glycoprotein 39, chitinase-3-like protein 1) is an inflammatory marker secreted mainly by macrophages and has distinctive roles on extracellular matrix remodeling, macrophage maturation, adhesion, and migration. Despite the presence of robust data suggesting the association of YKL-40 with variety of cardiovascular diseases (CV), there is no study up to date evaluating the role of YKL-40 on the long-term prognosis in patients with hypertension (HT). Methods: A single center, prospective, observational cohort study that included 327 consecutive hypertensive patients which were presented to a cardiology outpatient clinic. Patients were followed up for 7.89 ± 0.12 years. Primary outcome of the study was the occurrence of major cardiovascular outcomes (MACE) defined as all-cause mortality, new onset heart failure (HF), and coronary artery disease (CAD) requiring revascularization. Results: A total of 135 patients constituted the final study population [mean age: 52.4 ± 10.2, female: 63 (46%)]. A total of 28 (20.7%) patients had MACE during the follow up. Cox regression analysis revealed that age (HR: 1.046, 1.016–1.093 CI 95%, p = .026), diabetes (HR: 2.278, 1.026–5.057 CI 95%, p = .043), and YKL-40 level (HR: 1.019, 1.013–1.026 CI 95%, p = .005) significantly predicted MACE. We found that sensitivity and specificity of YKL-40 > 93.5 for predicting MACE was 71.4% and 65%, respectively with an area under curve (AUC) 0.723 (0.617–0.828 CI 95%, p < .001) Conclusion: Elevated serum YKL-40 level predicted MACE in hypertensive patients during a long-term follow up.
The Influence of Risk Management to the Return on Asset (ROA) Banking Sector (Case Study of Bank in Indonesia Listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange)

As companies in general, commercial banks in the operational as well have a goal to be able to get the maximum profit. Therefore, banks must maintain its financial ratios adjusted for the decision of Bank Indonesia as well as maintain its performance in order to remain trusted by customers in the economic activities. This study aims to analyze the effect of Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR), Non-Performing Loan (NPL), Net Interest Margin (NIM) an Operating Expenses to Operating Income Ratio (OEOI) to the Return on Assets (ROA) of bank in Indonesia listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange in the period 2007 - 2011. 25 banks are investigated and 17 of them are chosen as samples.The analysis technique of this study used in this study is multiple linear regressions to obtain a comprehensive picture of the relationship between variables that one with the other variables. In addition, the hypothesis test used was the t-test statistic for testing the partial regression coefficient and test F-statistic for testing significance together with the significance level of 5%. The results of this study indicate that NPL and OEOI significantly and negatively related to ROA banking sector, CAR, LDR, and the NIM has non-significant impact on ROA in banking sector. The results of this study is expected that the variable CAR, LDR, NPL, NIM, and OEOI can used as guidelines for the management of banks in managing a bank in order to become a healthy bank.