Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic News Releases and Financial Markets in South Africa

We examine the impact of economic news releases on returns, volatility and jumps of the stock and foreign exchange markets of South Africa. We also assess the impact of macroeconomic determinants. The dataset range is fifteen years covering the period from January, 2000 to December, 2014. Results are robust to different sub-periods before and after the global financial crisis of 2008. Volatility is estimated with the use of the median realized variance estimator. Jumps are also detected. The impact of the announcements is assessed building using regression techniques. Returns, volatility and jumps of both stock and foreign exchange markets are significantly explained nationally by macroeconomic fundamentals and economic news releases.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for human herpesvirus 8 and heteroduplex PCR for clonality assessment in angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia and Kimura’s disease

Background: Recently, human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) has been isolated from almost all cases of Kaposi’s sarcoma. It has not been found in most cutaneous hemangioproliferative disorders other than Kaposi’s sarcoma. Benign vascular lesions including Kimura’s disease were not found to contain the HHV‐8 DNA sequence. However, there has been contradictory data concerning the presence of HHV‐8 in angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE). Clonality studies in ALHE and Kimura’s disease were rare.
Prenatal smoking and internalizing and externalizing problems in children studied from childhood to late adolescence.

OBJECTIVE To study whether prenatal smoking only relates to externalizing problems or whether it is associated with both internalizing and externalizing problems from childhood into late adolescence. METHOD Child Behavior Checklist-derived, parent-reported internalizing and externalizing problems of 396 children were longitudinally assessed at ages 5, 10 to 11, and 18 years. The influence of self-reported prenatal smoking on the course of internalizing and externalizing problems over these ages was assessed, controlling for the co-occurrence of internalizing and externalizing problems and co-occurring pre- and perinatal risk factors, demographic characteristics, maternal mental health, and child social and attention problems. RESULTS Children whose mothers had smoked during pregnancy had increased levels of both internalizing and externalizing problems over the period of ages 5 to 18 years when compared with children whose mothers did not smoke during pregnancy. These associations remained significant after controlling internalizing for externalizing and vice versa and possible confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS Maternal smoking during pregnancy is a predictor of internalizing as well as externalizing psychopathology in offspring. The association between prenatal smoking and internalizing and externalizing problems persists throughout childhood and late adolescence.
Nutrient intake by duration of ex-smoking in the Scottish Heart Health Study

Information on current-, never- and ex-smokers (including duration of cessation) was obtained in a cross-sectional survey of risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), the Scottish Heart Health Study. Diet was also assessed by food frequency questionnaire in a total of 4265 men and 4770 women. Nutrient intakes were computed by sex and smoking group and, according to their diet, the ex-smokers were categorized as current- or never-smokers using discriminant analysis techniques. The current- and five ex-smoking groups differed negligibly in past smoking characteristics. Energy-adjusted intake of polyunsaturated fat, fibre and the antioxidant vitamins were lowest in current-smokers, and for men, intakes increased progressively with duration of ex-smoking to reach the level of never-smokers. In a similar manner, energy, sugar and alcohol decreased with duration of ex-smoking. Fewer trends were observable for women, and the diets of ex-smokers more immediately resembled that of never-smokers. Discriminant analysis for the combined nutrients correctly categorized 72 and 69 % of male, and 66 and 65 % of female current- and never-smokers respectively. By 4 years of smoking cessation the general dietary pattern of ex-smokers was similar to never-smokers for both sexes. Whether this represents a change in diet over time or a cohort effect is unclear, but the results do suggest that the apparent healthier diet of ex-smokers may contribute to their reduction in CHD risk compared with life-long current-smokers.
DETERMINANTS OF SOCIAL CAPITAL AND SUNDRY VARIABLES ON HOUSEHOLD WELLBEING IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

The study sought to empirically determine the effect of social capital on household wellbeing. Data were collected from 120 respondents using multistage sampling techniques. The data were analysed using regression analysis. The results of the regression analysis results showed that cooperative and political association members are better off than other association members. Also, respondents with higher number of working household members were better off. Policy options in favour of provision of job security, welfare packages and institutional support for greater social networking among the rural populace were advised.
Intraspecies cellular fatty acids heterogeneity of Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from fermented foods in Ukraine

The intraspecies heterogeneity of cellular fatty acids composition of Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from Ukrainian traditional fermented foods was examined. Seven cellular fatty acids were identified. All Lact. plantarum strains investigated contained C16:0 (from 7·54 to 49·83% of total fatty acids), cC18:1 (3·23–38·67% of total fatty acids) and cycC19:0 acids (9·03‐67·68% of total fatty acids) as the major fatty acids. The tC18:1 acid made up 1·47–22·0% of the total fatty acids. The C14:0 and C16:1 acids were present in small amounts (0·22–6·96% and 0·66–7·42% respectively) in most Lact. plantarum strains. Differences in relative contents of some fatty acids between Lact. plantarum strains depending on the source isolation were found. Isolates of dairy origin contained slightly greater levels of the C16:0 and tC18:1 fatty acids and lower levels of the cC18:1 than strains obtained from fermented vegetables. The origin of Lact. plantarum strains affects their fatty acids composition, which in turn, appears to be related to their ability to growth under stress factors.
Factors Affecting the Net Interest Margin of Commercial Bank of Ethiopia

This paper analyzes the factors affecting the commercial bank of Ethiopia’s (CBE’s) net interest margins during 2005 to 2014, a period characterized by increasing the bank’s net interest margin. The pooled ordinary multiple regression models are used to estimate the results without compromising the classical linear regression assumptions. In line with findings in the previous literature, this paper finds that capital adequacy (risk aversion), credit risk, operating costs, degree of competition (Lerner index) and deposit growth rate are the most important drivers of CBE’s net interest margins. Almost all variables in the model indicates a positive and highly significant association ship with net interest margins, and are found to be the most important bank specific factors that determine the net interest margin of the bank, CBE. The results of the study also suggests that high concentration led to lower competition, and thereby increase the net interest margins of banks, especially the dominant bank like CBE in case of Ethiopia. All in all, the results suggests that there has to be a measure to be taken by the sector to reduce the banks concentration ratio, operating costs, risk premium on credits, and increase the level of capital to offer competitive interest margins and fairly shared growth rates in deposits among others. In doing so, this paper conclude that further structural reforms and merger or consolidation enter alia may lower CBE’s net interest margins and share the market potentially fairly to other private banks operating in the industry.
Substrate Specificity of Glutaminyl Cyclases from Plants and Animals

Abstract Glutaminyl cyclases (QC) catalyze the intramolecular cyclization of N-terminal glutamine residues of peptides and proteins. For a comparison of the substrate specificity of human and papaya QC enzymes, a novel continuous assay was established by adapting an existing discontinuous method. Specificity constants (kcat/Km) of dipeptides and dipeptide surrogates were higher for plant QC, whereas the selectivity for oligopeptides was similar for both enzymes. However, only the specificity constants of mammalian QC were dependent on size and composition of the substrates. Specificity constants of both enzymes were equally pH-dependent in the acidic pH-region, revealing a pKa value identical to the pKa of the substrate, suggesting similarities in the substrate conversion mode. Accordingly, both QCs converted the L-? homoglutaminyl residue in the peptide H-? homoGln-Phe-Lys-Arg-Leu-Ala-NH2 and the glutaminyl residues of the branched peptide H-Gln-Lys(Gln)-Arg-Leu-Ala-NH2 as well as the partially cyclized peptide H-Gln-cyclo( N? -Lys-Arg-Pro-Ala-Gly-Phe). In contrast, only QC from C. papaya was able to cyclize a methylated glutamine residue, while this compound did not even inhibit human QC-catalysis, suggesting distinct substrate recognition pattern. The conversion of the potential physiological substrates gastrin, neurotensin and [GlN1]-fertilization promoting peptide indicates that human QC may play a key role in posttranslational modification of most if not all pGlu-containing hormones.
Screening sigmoidoscopy and colorectal cancer mortality.

BACKGROUND Sigmoidoscopy may reduce colorectal cancer mortality by identifying both cancers and precursor lesions (including polyps) for treatment; however, evidence regarding the efficacy of this technique as a screening procedure is extremely limited. PURPOSE In the absence of data from randomized controlled trials, we performed a retrospective case-control study to determine if sigmoidoscopy screening is associated with a reduction in colorectal cancer mortality. METHODS The medical records of 66 members of the Greater Marshfield Community Health Plan (GMCHP) who died of large-bowel cancer from 1979 to 1988 were reviewed for history of screening for colorectal cancer (case subjects). For comparison, the records of 196 GMCHP members of similar gender, age, and enrollment duration were randomly selected for review (control subjects). RESULTS History of screening sigmoidoscopy was much less common among case subjects (10%) than among control subjects (30%). Risk for death from colorectal cancer was reduced among individuals having had a single examination by screening sigmoidoscopy (odds ratio = 0.21; 95% confidence interval = 0.08-0.52), compared with the risk for those who never had one. The reduction in risk appeared to be limited to tumors in the rectum and distal colon. Neither fecal occult blood testing nor digital rectal examination was associated with a reduction in colorectal cancer mortality. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that screening sigmoidoscopy can substantially reduce mortality from cancers of the rectum and distal colon.
The relation between theory of mind and executive functions in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are faced with a range of physical, cognitive, behavioral, and/or learning deficits, as well as poor executive functioning and social skills. Theory of mind (ToM) is the ability to understand that one's own perspective may differ from the perspective of another individual. ToM develops around age 4 and is correlated with performance on executive functioning tasks. OBJECTIVE The goals of this study were to examine ToM performance in young children with FASD, how age was related to ToM performance, and whether ToM abilities were related to underlying executive function difficulties. METHOD Fifty-three children (aged 4 to 8 years) participated: 25 children with FASD and 28 control children. All children were tested on measures of ToM, executive functioning, and receptive vocabulary. RESULTS More children in the FASD group (44%) failed one or both ToM measures than in the control group (25%). Older children with FASD performed worse on ToM than younger children, but this was not the case for the control group. For the FASD group, ToM performance was correlated with a measure of inhibition, but for the control group, ToM was correlated with visual-spatial working memory. CONCLUSIONS Children with FASD have difficulty on ToM tasks, and this difficulty may be related to underlying deficits in inhibition.
Broken flow symmetry explains the dynamics of small particles in deterministic lateral displacement arrays

Significance Deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) is a technique for size fractionation of particles in continuous flow that has shown great potential for biological and clinical applications. Several theoretical models have been proposed to explain the trajectories of different-sized particles in relation to the geometry of the pillar array, but experimental evidence has demonstrated that a rich class of intermediate migration behavior exists, which is not predicted by models. In this work, we present a unified theoretical framework to infer the trajectory of particles in the whole array on the basis of trajectories in the unit cell. This framework explains many of the unexpected particle trajectories reported in literature and can be used to design arrays for the fractionation of particles, even at the smallest scales reaching the molecular realm. We also performed experiments that verified our predictions, even at the nanoscales. Using our model as a set of design rules, we developed a condenser structure that achieves full particle separation with a single fluidic input. Deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) is a technique for size fractionation of particles in continuous flow that has shown great potential for biological applications. Several theoretical models have been proposed, but experimental evidence has demonstrated that a rich class of intermediate migration behavior exists, which is not predicted. We present a unified theoretical framework to infer the path of particles in the whole array on the basis of trajectories in a unit cell. This framework explains many of the unexpected particle trajectories reported and can be used to design arrays for even nanoscale particle fractionation. We performed experiments that verify these predictions and used our model to develop a condenser array that achieves full particle separation with a single fluidic input.
Maternal tissue is involved in stimulant reception by seeds of the parasitic plant Orobanche.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS A fundamental element in the evolution of obligate root-parasitic angiosperms is their ability to germinate only in response to chemical stimulation by roots, to ensure contact with a nearby nourishing host. The aim of this study was to explore inheritance of the unique germination control in this group of plants. METHODS Analysis was made of the segregation of spontaneous (non-induced) germination that appeared in hybrid progenies derived from crosses between Orobanche cernua and O. cumana, which, like all other Orobanche species, are totally dependent on chemical stimulation for the onset of germination, and show negligible spontaneous germination in their natural seed populations. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS F(1) and F(2) seeds did not germinate in the absence of chemical stimulation, but significant spontaneous germination was found in some F(3) seed families. This indicates that the prevention of non-induced germination in Orobanche seeds, i.e. dependence on an external chemical stimulation for seed germination, is genetically controlled, that this genetic control is expressed in a seed tissue with maternal origin (presumably the perisperm that originates from the nucellus) and that genetic variation for this trait exists in Orobanche species. Similar segregation results were obtained in reciprocal crosses, suggesting that stimulated germination is controlled by nuclear genes.
Social Security Programs And Retirement Around The World Micro Estimation

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Looking for a Relation Between Serum Leptin Concentration and Body Composition Parameters in Healthy Term Infants in the First 6 Months of Life

We carried out a cross-sectional study of 115 healthy infants, younger than 6 months old, exclusively breast-fed or formula-fed, to investigate correlations between circulating leptin concentrations and body composition measurements. Serum leptin was evaluated with radioimmunoassay, and body composition with bioelectrical impedance analysis. Multiple regression analysis showed a relationship between serum leptin and body mass index in the entire study population (P = 0.042). There was a significant negative relationship between serum leptin and phase angle (P = 0.006) in formula-fed infants. Serum leptin was positively related to subscapular skinfold thickness (P = 0.055) and negatively to reactance (P = 0.057) only in formula-fed infants, although the differences were just below significance. Serum leptin concentration was higher in breast-fed infants (P = 0.002), and was not correlated with body composition parameters. This study indicates that there is a relation between leptin and infant body composition in the first months of life, although the link needs to be explored further.
Differences in active and passive glucose transport along the proximal nephron.

The transport of D-glucose was examined in isolated perfused segments of the rabbit proximal nephron. The total unidirectional lumen-to-bath flux of D-glucose in rabbit proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) and early and late segments of proximal straight tubules (PST) could be described as the sum of two independent fluxes: one due to an active saturable transport site and the other a parallel passive permeation pathway. Both fluxes increased with increasing perfusion rate as a result of increased average luminal glucose concentration. The maximal active transport rate for glucose decreased along the nephron from 83.2 pmol . min-1 . mm-1 in the PCT to 12.9 and 7.9 in the early and late PST, respectively. The Km value for the active site also decreased from 1.64 mM in the PCT to 0.70 and 0.35 in the early and late PST, respectively. The permeability value for the passive permeation pathway, which was assessed from the linear dependence of bath-to-lumen fluxes of L-glucose on bath concentration, decreased from 0.033 micrometers/s in the PCT to 0.015 and 0.009 in the early and late PST, respectively. These characteristics of a high transport capacity with moderate leak in the PCT and lower transport capacity with low leak in the PST allow the establishment of steep glucose concentration gradients in the PCT that are maintained and augmented in the late proximal nephron.
A Novel UWB FSS-Based Polarization Diversity Antenna

This letter explores the design of a novel ultrawideband band (UWB) dual-polarized antenna with unidirectional radiation characteristics. The proposed antenna consists of a dual-polarized radiator mounted on a backing reflector constituted of a single-layer frequency selective surface (FSS) with a UWB stopband response. A design guide for the proposed FSS is described along with its operation mechanism that enables the proposed antenna to provide a high gain of an average of 9.5 dBi along with good radiation characteristics over the two polarizations. A measured −10-dB impedance band covering the entire UWB band with an isolation level of 20 dB is obtained for a low profile of λ/10. Owing to its features, the proposed antenna is attractive for integration with low-profile broadband printed circuits and UWB diversity communication systems.
BCB polymer based row-column addressed CMUT

This paper presents an inexpensive, low temperature and rapid fabrication method for capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUT). The fabrication utilizes the bonding and dielectric properties of the photosensitive polymer Benzocyclobutene (BCB). A BCB based row-column addressed CMUT with integrated apodization has been fabricated and characterized with initial impedance measurement. Furthermore, two linear BCB CMUT arrays have been fabricated with different bottom electrode designs and characterized acoustically. All the fabricated arrays have a center frequency of 2.5 MHz when immersed into water and a pull-in voltage of 75 V. Stability tests have showed a stable coupling coefficient of approximately 0.1 during 10 hours of biased operation. Acoustic measurements, with a hydrophone positioned 1 cm from the CMUTs, have showed a peak-to-peak pressure of 14 kPa.
Umbilical cord matrix derived mesenchymal stem cells can change the cord blood transplant scenario.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The field of Umbilical cord blood (UCB) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has had an amazing run since 1988. UCB is being increasing used in related and unrelated transplant settings. A major hurdle, however, in the use of UCB is its low cell dose, which is largely responsible for an elevated risk of graft failure and significantly delayed neutrophils and platelet engraftment. Strategies to increase CD34(+) HSC/HPC dose are under development as a direct correlation has been shown between these counts and time for engraftment. One strategy includes the ex vivo expansion of UCB derived CD34(+) cells. METHODS AND RESULTS We show that the umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) can be used as supporting cells for ex vivo expansion of CD34(+) cells using low concentrations of cytokine cocktail. The UCMSCs release the cytokines required for maintenance and proliferation of CD34(+) cells in the ex vivo culture conditions. More than 25 fold increase in total nucleated cell count (TNC) and more than 20 fold increase in CD34(+) cell count has been obtained using this co-culture system. CONCLUSIONS UCMSCs from both, autologous and allogeneic origin can be used for expansion of UCB derived CD34(+) cells. The ease of availability and immunoprivileged nature of UCMSCs further holds promise in their use in an allogeneic transplant setting.