Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organic carbon stocks in mountain grassland soils of northwestern Kashmir Himalaya: spatial distribution and effects of altitude, plant diversity and land use

Abstract Despite constituting important ecosystem of Kashmir Himalaya and being sensitive to climate change, data on soil organic carbon (SOC) in grasslands remain scarce. Present study was conducted in 20 grasslands that represent pasture and non-pasture types, with an aim to record SOC stocks at 5 sampling depths (0–10; 10–20; 20–30; 30–40 and 40–50cm), study its variation along altitude and elucidate how environmental factors affect this variation. SOC stocks exhibited high variability and ranged between 28.85 and 94.76 Mg C ha−1, with mean value of 54.52 Mg C ha−1, which was stored as 30.63, 22.98, 21.06, 14.89, and 10.41%, respectively at five depths. Differences in SOC stocks between pasture and non-pasture types were minor, with average stocks appearing slightly higher for pasture (59.69 ± 15.43 Mg C ha−1) than non-pasture (56.32 ± 17.01 Mg C ha−1). However non-pasture type had higher stocks particularly in upper soil layers. SOC exhibited negative relationship with soil depth and bulk density while increasing relationship with altitude, species richness and aboveground live and dead biomass was observed. On depth gradient, altitude affected subsurface (10–20cm) soils more distinctly than surface (0–10 cm) soils. Besides contributing baseline data, comparison of SOC provides possibility to determine management effects on SOC storage and consequently C sequestration.
Rab3a interacting molecule (RIM) and the tethering of pre‐synaptic transmitter release site‐associated CaV2.2 calcium channels

Biochemical and physiological evidence suggest that pre‐synaptic calcium channels are attached to the transmitter release site within the active zone by a molecular tether. A recent study has proposed that ‘Rab3a Interacting Molecule’ (RIM) serves as the tether for CaV2.1 channels in mouse brain, based in part on biochemical co‐immunoprecipitation (co‐IP) using a monoclonal antibody, mRIM. We previously argued against this idea for CaV2.2 calcium channel at chick synapses based on experiments using a different anti‐RIM antibody, pRIM1,2: while staining for the two proteins co‐localized and co‐varied at the transmitter release face, consistent with an association, they failed to co‐IP from a synaptosome membrane lysate. RIM is, however, a family of proteins and we tested the possibility that the mRIM antibody used in the more recent study identifies a particular channel‐tethering variant. We find that co‐immunostaining with mRIM and anti‐CaV2.2 antibody neither co‐localized nor co‐varied at the transmitter release face and the two proteins did not co‐IP, arguing against a common protein complex and a key CaV2.2 scaffolding role for RIM at the active zone. The differing results might be reconciled, however, in a model where a RIM family member contributes to a protein bridge that anchors the pre‐fusion secretory vesicle to the calcium channel protein complex.
Exacerbation of Collagen Antibody–Induced Arthritis in Transgenic Mice Overexpressing Peroxiredoxin 6

Peroxiredoxin 6 plays important and complex roles in the process of inflammation, but its role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. We undertook this study to investigate the roles and mechanisms of peroxiredoxin 6 in the development of collagen antibody–induced arthritis (CAIA) and antigen‐induced arthritis (AIA) in peroxiredoxin 6–overexpressing transgenic mice, in peroxiredoxin 6–transfected RAW 264.7 cells, in macrophages isolated from peroxiredoxin 6–overexpressing transgenic mice, and in synoviocytes from arthritis patients.
Terminal arbors of individual, physiologically identified geniculocortical axons in the tree shrew's striate cortex

We studied the terminal patterns of single, physiologically identified geniculocortical axons in the striate cortex of the tree shrew by using intracellular recording and labeling methods. Axons were classified by their response to the onset (ON‐center) or offset (OFF‐center) of a light stimulus presented to the ipsilateral or contralateral eye. Then, we attempted to penetrate each axon for labeling with horseradish peroxidase. We recovered 23 axons and studied 16 of these in detail. Light microscopic reconstructions of these axons revealed several distinct terminal patterns within cortical layer IV. ON‐center axons had terminal arbors that ended mainly in the upper part of layer IV (IVa), while OFF‐center axons ended in the lower part of layer IV (IVb). Within layers IVa and IVb, axons driven by the ipsilateral eye and those driven by the contralateral eye had overlapping distributions. However, their terminal arbors differed in size, in shape, and in the number of boutons. Compared with contralateral eye arbors, ipsilateral eye axons were on average three times larger in lateral extent (925 μm vs. 325 μm), spread over four times the surface area (0.13 mm2 vs. 0.03 mm2), and supported one and one‐half times as many terminal boutons (1,647 vs. 1,086). The ipsilateral eye axons had more boutons at the edges of layer IV (i.e., the upper part of layer IVa and the lower part of layer IVb), while those from the contralateral eye axons were more evenly distributed. These results show that each functional class of geniculocortical fiber has a different laminar and areal arrangement of boutons and we consider the significance of these differences for visual cortical function.
Volatility Spillovers of Stock Markets between China and the Countries along the Belt and Road

ABSTRACT This article intensively studies the stock market volatility spillover effects between China and the countries along the Belt and Road (B&R) based on the covered selection of Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc (MSCI) index by using multiplicative error model to measure stock market volatility with daily price range. The results show that during the whole sample period, there are bilateral linkages of volatility between the stock markets of China and all of B&R countries. Most of B&R and China’s markets are sensitive to positive news but the asymmetry is trivial. Financial crisis intensified the volatility spillover effects across countries while the markets’ volatilities tend to be influenced by the negative shocks from foreign markets. The B&R markets as risk absorbers exhibit significant sensitivities to the negative news from Chinese market during the crisis period.
Evaluation of Low-Cost, Objective Instruments for Assessing Physical Activity in 10–11-Year-Old Children

This study compared step counts detected by four, low-cost, objective, physical-activity-assessment instruments and evaluated their ability to detect moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared to the ActiGraph accelerometer (AG). Thirty-six 10–11-year-old children wore the NL-1000, Yamax Digiwalker SW 200, Omron HJ-151, and Walk4Life MVP concurrently with the AG during school hours on a single day. AG MVPA was derived from activity count data using previously validated cut points. Two of the evaluated instruments provided similar group mean MVPA and step counts compared to AG (dependent on cut point). Low-cost instruments may be useful for measurement of both MVPA and steps in children's physical activity interventions and program evaluation.
Exercise dose and mobility outcome in a comprehensive stroke unit: description and prediction from a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE To describe the dose of lower limb exercise completed during admission to a stroke unit, establish predictors of dose and explore the relationship between dose and walking outcomes. DESIGN Inception cohort study. PARTICIPANTS Two hundred consecutively-admitted people with stroke. METHODS Repetitions of exercise completed throughout the admission were tallied. Possible predictors of exercise dose were recorded within 48 h of admission. Walking velocity was assessed at the beginning and end of the hospital stay. RESULTS Data were available for 191 (96%) participants on discharge. The mean daily dose of lower limb exercise was 288 repetitions (standard deviation (SD) 242), the variability in dose was best explained by age and disability level. The mean improvement in walking velocity was 0.43 m/s (SD 0.46), 26% of variability in walking improvement was explained by exercise repetitions and 29% was explained by a multivariable model including significant contributions from exercise repetitions (p < 0.01) and age (p = 0.03). After controlling for other factors, for every 100 daily repetitions of lower limb exercise there was an additional change in walking velocity of 0.08 m/s (95% CI 0.05 to 0.11, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Exercise dose in a stroke unit is variable and can be predicted by age and disability. Increased exercise dose is associated with improved mobility outcomes.
Sentiment-Induced Bubbles in the Cryptocurrency Market

Cryptocurrencies lack clear measures of fundamental values and are often associated with speculative bubbles. This paper introduces a new way of testing for speculative bubbles based on StockTwits sentiment, which is used as the transition variable in a smooth transition autoregression. The model allows for conditional heteroskedasticity and fat tails of the conditional distribution of the error term, and volatility may depend on the constructed sentiment index. We apply the model to the CRIX index, for which several bubble periods are identified. The detected locally explosive price dynamics, given the specified bubble regime controlled by a smooth transition function, are more akin to the notion of speculative bubble that is driven by exuberant sentiment. Furthermore, we find that volatility increases as the sentiment index decreases, which is analogous to the commonly called leverage effect.
Social Skills Assessment and Training for the Learning Disabled

This month's Topical Review is the first in a two-part series on the social skills of learning disabled children. In a field traditionally dominated by concerns about intellectual functioning, concern for the development of social skills in LD children has been sparked by data showing that skill deficiencies in this area are associated with poor long-term adjustment and success both in and out of the classroom. This two-part Review presents information about the social skills deficits of LD children, methods for assessing social skills, and treatment programs designed to ameliorate weaknesses in social skills. The first two of these topics are covered this month, while the last topic will be addressed in the next issue. --J.K. T.
HEIGHT AND INEQUALITY IN POST-1950 MEXICO: A HISTORY OF STUNTED GROWTH

ABSTRACT Using data from two national surveys (ENSA, 2000; ENSANUT, 2006) we assess the evolution of biological standards of living of the Mexican population born during the second half of the 20th century. Our results show that there was an improvement in living standards reflected in an increase in stature, but this amelioration was limited. We observe differences across socio-economic strata, across educational levels, and between men and women. Persistent structural inequality has been byproduct of a system of security and social protection that was limited, segmented and hampered the potentially positive effects of social-welfare policies. We corroborate the relatively modest improvement in heights by comparing outcomes in Mexico with other Latin American countries. RESUMEN Utilizando datos de dos encuestas nacionales (ENSA 2000; ENSANUT 2006) evaluamos la evolución de los niveles de vida biológicos de la población mexicana nacida durante la segunda mitad del siglo veinte. Nuestros resultados muestran que hubo una mejora en los estándares de vida reflejada en un aumento en la estatura, pero esta mejora fue limitada. Observamos diferencias entre los estratos socioeconómicos, los niveles educativos, y entre hombres y mujeres. La persistente desigualdad estructural ha sido producto de un sistema de seguridad y protección social limitado, segmentado y que obstaculiza los efectos potencialmente positivos de las políticas de bienestar social. Corroboramos que esta mejora en estaturas es relativamente modesta al comparar los resultados de México con otros países latinoamericanos.
Pharmacokinetic modelling of the placental transfer of nelfinavir and its M8 metabolite: a population study using 75 maternal-cord plasma samples.

AIMS A population pharmacokinetic model was developed to characterize the transfer of nelfinavir and its active metabolite M8 from maternal to cord plasma and amniotic fluid. METHODS Concentration data were obtained from 75 women on the day of delivery and for whom maternal, umbilical plasma and amniotic fluid samples were collected. Data from 53 pregnant, 61 nonpregnant and seven consecutively pregnant and non pregnant women were then added to the database, the contents of which were analyzed using NONMEM. RESULTS Nelfinavir and M8 concentrations in maternal plasma, umbilical plasma and amniotic fluid were described by six connected compartments. Mean (% intersubject variability) population estimates were: absorption rate 00.67 h(-1), lag time 00.87 h, oral clearance and volume of distribution: 39.5 l h(-1) (53%), and 557 l for non pregnant and pregnant women, respectively, and 115 l h(-1) (132%) and 1626 l, respectively, on the day of delivery, M8 formation clearance 0.77 l h(-1) and M8 elimination rate constant 03.41 h(-1) (74%). For nelfinavir and M8, respectively, the mother-to-cord parameters were 0.058 l h(-1) (34%), and 00.35 h(-1) (76%), the cord-to-amniotic fluid rate constants were 0.23 and 00.59 h(-1), and the elimination rate constants from amniotic fluid were 0.36 and 00.49 h(-1). The nelfinavir fetus : maternal concentration ratio was 25% for maternal concentrations between 0.1 and 2.5 mg l(-1), between the 31 and 41st week of gestation. CONCLUSIONS The low transfer of nelfinavir from the placenta is unlikely to protect the fetus from vertical HIV-1 transmission.
N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor‐ and metabotropic glutamate receptor‐dependent long‐term depression are differentially regulated by the ubiquitin‐proteasome system

Long‐term depression (LTD) in CA1 pyramidal neurons can be induced by activation of either N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs) or metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), both of which elicit changes in synaptic efficacy through α‐amino‐3‐hydroxyl‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐propionate receptor (AMPAR) endocytosis. To address the role of the ubiquitin‐proteasome system in regulating AMPAR endocytosis during these forms of LTD, we examined the effects of pharmacological inhibitors of proteasomal degradation and protein ubiquitination on endocytosis of glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1) ‐containing AMPARs in dissociated rat hippocampal cultures as well as LTD of excitatory synaptic responses in acute rat hippocampal slices. Our findings suggest that the contribution of the ubiquitin‐proteasome system to NMDAR‐induced vs. mGluR‐induced AMPAR endocytosis and the consequent LTD differs significantly. NMDAR‐induced AMPAR endocytosis and LTD occur independently of proteasome function but appear to depend, at least in part, on ubiquitination. In contrast, mGluR‐induced AMPAR endocytosis and LTD are enhanced by inhibition of proteasomal degradation, as well as by the inhibitor of protein ubiquitination. Furthermore, the decay of mGluR‐induced membrane depolarization and Erk activation is delayed following inhibition of either ubiquitination or proteasomal degradation. These results suggest that, although NMDAR‐dependent LTD may utilize ubiquitin as a signal for AMPAR endocytosis, mGluR‐induced signaling and LTD are limited by a feedback mechanism that involves the ubiquitin‐proteasome system.
Importing, Exporting and Aggregate Productivity in Large Devaluations

Large economic crises are characterized by sharp currency devaluations, collapses in imports and declines in aggregate TFP. The standard mechanism for the decline in aggregate productivity is that firms' access to foreign inputs is restricted when foreign goods become more expensive. The effect of the crisis therefore crucially depends on the degree of substitutability between domestic and foreign inputs in firms’ technologies. Because this elasticity is typically estimated above unity, recent quantitative trade models imply that import shares, both at the firm and aggregate level, should decrease after a crisis. I provide evidence that in fact aggregate import shares increase after large depreciations, such as Mexico 1994, Brazil 1998, the East Asian crisis in 1997 and Argentina 2001, among others. Using Indonesian firm-level data, I show that this fact is explained by the entry of new exporters, as well as by existing exporters increasing their export intensity, after the devaluation. Because exporting is an import-intensive activity, this can account for the increase in the aggregate import share. These facts suggest that understanding the macroeconomic effects of large crises requires a joint account of the import and export behavior of firms. To explore this hypothesis, I develop a model with firm heterogeneity where exporting and importing decisions are made jointly. Exporting and importing are complementary activities because increases in revenue and reductions in unit cost interact in the profit function. I discipline the model to match salient features of the Indonesian micro data. I explore the effects of a devaluation on aggregate productivity and compare the results to the standard model of the literature which only features the importing channel. [work in progress].
WHAT MAKES WILDLIFE TOURISTS HAPPY AND WHAT DISAPPOINTS THEM? LEARNING FROM REVIEWS POSTED ON TRIPADVISOR

Wildlife tourism is one of the fastest growing tourism sectors worldwide and has been increasingly used to promote tourism in certain countries. With 26 national parks and 61 wildlife reserves covering 13% of its land surface area, Sri Lanka has a great potential to become one of the world’s hotspots for wildlife tourism. However, in order to ensure a sustainable development of this sector it is essential to evaluate tourists’ level of satisfaction with their experience. This research examined the main factors contributing to tourist satisfaction / dissatisfaction in Sri Lanka’s most visited national park. QDA Miner and Wordstat software were used for the qualitative content analysis and coding of reviews posted by international tourists on TripAdvisor. The research revealed that the great majority of visitors were satisfied with their visit at Yala National Park. However, this overall assessment masks a highly uneven visitor experience which was understood only after qualitatively analyzing the content of the visitors’ comments. The study found that satisfaction/dissatisfaction of visitors depends on three main factors: the number and diversity of animals, the number of vehicles and tourists and the knowledge and skills of guides and drivers. These findings have a number of managerial implications which are highlighted at the end of the study.
State Specific Poverty Thresholds Adjusted For Cost Of Living Differences

iii List of Tables . v Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Chapter 2: Literature Review . 3 Chapter 3: Data and Empirical Methods . 12 Chapter 4: Results . 17 4.1: Poverty Measures . 17 4.2: Regressions and Policy . 22 Chapter 5: Conclusion.34 References . 36
Ratio of cathepsin B to stefin A identifies heterogeneity within Gleason histologic scores for human prostate cancer

Cathepsin B (CB), a lysosomal cysteine protease, is involved in degradation of extracellular matrix proteins and progression of tumor cells from one biological compartment to another in many solid organ cancers, including prostate cancer. Our objective was to identify patterns of distribution of CB and its endogenous cellular inhibitor stefin A in cryostat sections of frozen BPH and prostate cancer tissue samples and to define these patterns in relation to Gleason histologic scores, clinical stages, and serum total PSA levels.
Mindfulness, socioemotional wealth, and environmental strategy of family businesses

The study advances knowledge in the field of business strategy and the environment by incorporating mindfulness theory into the research on socioemotional wealth (SEW) and its environmental consequences in family businesses. Using an integrative model, the paper investigates the relationship between mindfulness SEW dimensions and family firms' environmental strategies, specifically in developing sustainable products and processes. This study also proposes the firm's capabilities as a mediator in this relationship, while market turbulence is a moderator in the relationship between the firm's capabilities and sustainable products and processes. The empirical results show that in protecting SEW, specifically in the identification of family members with the firm and binding social ties, mindfulness provides a rich endowment that develops appropriate capabilities to produce sustainable products and processes. While the moderating role of market turbulence is insignificant, we can infer that irrespective of how turbulent (or not) the market is, the firm's capabilities are a key determinant of sustainable products and processes. Our findings offer theoretical and managerial implications for sustainable practices in the family business context.
Effects of Lemon Balm on the Oxidative Stability and the Quality Properties of Hamburger Patties during Refrigerated Storage

This study was performed to investigate the effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on various quality and antioxidant activity of hamburger patties. Lemon balm extract (LBE) showed the highest amount of total polyphenol (801.00 mg TAE/g DW) and flavonoids (65.05 mg RA/g DW). The IC50 value of DPPH hydroxyl scavenging of LBE was 132 μg/mL. The hamburger patties were prepared by 0% (N), 0.1% (L1), 0.5% (L2), and 1.0% (L3) of the lemon balm powder. The addition of lemon balm powder increased the chewiness value, but did not affect the hardness, cohesiveness, and springiness values. Lemon balm powder had positive effects on sensory evaluation of patties. The pH of all patties decreased with longer storage period. 2-Thiobarbituric acid value, volatile basic nitrogen content, and the total microbial counts of hamburger patties in the L3 group were lower, compared to those of the normal (N group). In conclusion, the L3 group had significantly delayed lipid peroxidation compared to other treatment groups. However, the addition of lemon balm powder into patties showed no significantly influence on proximate composition, calorie contents, water holding capacity and cooking loss of patties. Therefore, lemon balm might be a useful natural antioxidant additive in meat products.
Cyclical and Structural Variation in Resource Allocation: Evidence for Europe

This paper uses cross-country micro-aggregated data on firm dynamics and productivity from the ECB CompNet database to provide empirical evidence on factor reallocation in the European Union (EU). The analysis finds that reallocation is towards more productive firms although the magnitude varies across countries and over time. Variation in reallocation is related to structural differences in firm size distribution across countries as well as to variation in labor and product market institutions. Productivity-enhancing reallocation generally rises in downturns but, similar to findings for the US, it did not pick up in the Great Recession. The sharp drop in exports and tightness in credit markets are seen to provide a partial explanation for this lack of a silver lining. JEL Classification: E24, E32, J63, O4