Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
eScholarship Title Malarial parasite diversity in chimpanzees : the value of comparative approaches to ascertain the evolution of Plasmodium falciparum antigens Permalink

Background: Plasmodium falciparum shares its most recent common ancestor with parasites found in African apes; these species constitute the so-called Laverania clade. In this investigation, the evolutionary history of Plasmodium lineages found in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) was explored. Methods: Here, the remainders of 74 blood samples collected as part of the chimpanzees’ routine health examinations were studied. For all positive samples with parasite lineages belonging to the Laverania clade, the complete mitochondrial genome (mtDNA), the gene encoding dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (dhfr-ts), the chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt), the circumsporozoite protein (csp), merozoite surface protein 2 (msp2), and the DBL-1 domain from var2CSA were amplified, cloned, and sequenced. Other Plasmodium species were included in the mtDNA, dhfr-ts, and csp analyses. Phylogenetic and evolutionary genetic analyses were performed, including molecular clock analyses on the mtDNA. Results/Conclusions: Nine chimpanzees were malaria positive (12.2%); four of those infections were identified as P. falciparum, two as a Plasmodium reichenowi-like parasite or Plasmodium sp. , one as Plasmodium gaboni, and two as Plasmodium malariae. All P. falciparum isolates were resistant to chloroquine indicating that the chimpanzees acquired such infections from humans in recent times. Such findings, however, are not sufficient for implicating chimpanzees as an animal reservoir for P. falciparum. Timing estimates support that the Laverania clade has co-existed with hominids for a long-period of time. The proposed species P. gaboni, Plasmodium billbrayi, and Plasmodium billcollinsi are monophyletic groups supporting that they are indeed different species. An expanded CSP phylogeny is presented, including all the Laverania species and other malarial parasites. Contrasting with other Plasmodium, the Laverania csp exhibits great conservation at the central tandem repeat region. Msp2 and var2CSA, however, show extended recent polymorphism in P. falciparum that likely originated after the P. reichenowi-P. falciparum split. The accumulation of such diversity may indicate adaptation to the human host. These examples support the notion that comparative approaches among P. falciparum and its related species will be of great value in understanding the evolution of proteins that are important in parasite invasion of the human red blood cell, as well as those involved in malaria pathogenesis.
PR ] 8 F eb 2 01 2 Robust Utility Maximization in Non-dominated Models with 2 BSDEs ∗

In this article, we consider the problem of robust utility maximization in an incomplete market with volatility uncertainty. The set of all possible models (probability measures) considered here is non-dominated. We propose to study this problem in the framework of second order backward stochastic differential equations with quadratic growth generator. We solve the problem for exponential, power and logarithmic utility functions and prove existence of an optimal strategy. Finally we provide several examples which shed more light on the problem and its links with the classical utility maximization one.
Effects of Enzymatic Hydrolysis on the Physicochemical and Structural Properties of Cassava Bagasse (Manihot esculenta Cranz).

This study evaluated the effect of enzymatic hydrolysis on the physicochemical and structural properties of cassava bagasse ( Manihot esculenta Cranz ). Cassava bagasse is a byproduct of the cassava starch process with limited applications in the industry. Were applied enzymatic treatments to three ratios a substrate (cassava bagasse): Buffer volume (1:10, 1:15, 1:20). Were used two commercial enzymes, cellulase (CelluSEB TL) and α-amylase (Licquozyme supra 2.2X). The physicochemical and structural analysis was performed after each treatment, including a control. The physicochemical analysis showed that the cassava bagasse had a high content of carbohydrates (61,19%) and fiber (22,63%); additionally, there were significant differences (p -1 corresponding to the cellulose chemical bond CH, as well as the decrease in the intensity of the band 2927 cm-1 corresponding to the CH bonds and CH2, which may be related to a decrease of the crystallinity in the enzymatically treated bagasse. It was found that, due to its physicochemical composition, cassava bagasse is a material that could be used for biotechnology or food purposes; moreover, enzymatic hydrolysis produces the decrystallization of cellulose and significant changes in its physicochemical properties.
Inside the family firms: The impact of family and institutional ownership on executive remuneration

Abstract This study empirically examines the impact of ownership structure on executive remuneration of listed family firms in Malaysia. Fixed effects model as the panel analysis of 279-listed family firms from 2010 to 2014 shows that institutional investors could not represent the minority shareholders’ interest in curbing the expropriation via executive remuneration by the controlling family shareholders. When the firm CEOs are non-family directors, both domestic and foreign institutional investors could exert a significant negative impact on executive remuneration. Thus, this study provides a theoretical contribution by affirming that the Type-II agency conflict between controlling shareholders and minority shareholders in family firms is ameliorated when the firm CEOs have no family relationship with the controlling shareholders. In addition, this study also unveils that domestic and foreign institutional investors have a different impact on the executive remuneration, where the governance role of the former prevails over the latter. The findings of this study would be useful for the policy-makers and regulators such as Securities Commission Malaysia and Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group to assess the expropriation issue and corporate governance in family firms.
Biosorption of lead, chromium and cadmium in tannery effluent using indigenous microorganisms

This study investigated the biosorption of lead, chromium and cadmium in tannery effluent using indigenous microorganisms. Bacteria isolated from the tannery effluent were Bacillus subtilis and B. megaterium while fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp. The microorganisms were tested for their ability to reduce the concentration of the heavy metals in the tannery effluent using conventional methods. B. megaterium recorded the highest lead reduction (2.13 to 0.03 mg/L), followed by B. subtilis (2.13-0.04 mg/L). A. niger recorded the highest ability to reduce the concentration of chromium (1.38-0.08 mg/L) followed by Penicillium sp. (1.38-0.13 mg/L) while B. subtilis exhibited the highest ability to reduce the concentration of cadmium (0.4-0.03 mg/L) followed by B. megaterium (0.04-0.06 mg/L) after 20 days. When these values were compared to standard limits of Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), World Health Organization (WHO), National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the isolates recorded an acceptable reduction in the concentration of lead, chromium and cadmium in sterile and unsterile tannery effluent. The results of this showed that the isolates reduced the concentration of lead, chromium and cadmium present in the sterile and raw tannery effluent and suggest that the organisms can be used as a possible treatment of tannery effluents.
On the entanglement entropy of quantum fields in causal sets

In order to understand the detailed mechanism by which a fundamental discreteness can provide a finite entanglement entropy, we consider the entanglement entropy of two classes of free massless scalar fields on causal sets that are well approximated by causal diamonds in Minkowski spacetime of dimensions 2, 3 and 4. The first class is defined from discretised versions of the continuum retarded Green functions, while the second uses the causal set’s retarded nonlocal d’Alembertians parametrised by a length scale lk. In both cases we provide numerical evidence that the area law is recovered when the double-cutoff prescription proposed in Sorkin and Yazdi (2016 Entanglement entropy in causal set theory (arXiv:1611.10281)) is imposed. We discuss in detail the need for this double cutoff by studying the effect of two cutoffs on the quantum field and, in particular, on the entanglement entropy, in isolation. In so doing, we get a novel interpretation for why these two cutoff are necessary, and the different roles they play in making the entanglement entropy on causal sets finite.
Prevalence of malaria and the associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in health institutions of Damot Woyide district, Southern Ethiopia

Malaria during pregnancy is a cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and their fetuses eventually the newborns and infants. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of malaria among pregnant women that attend antenatal clinics in health institutions found in Damote Woyide district. A health institution based cross-sectional study was conducted. Socio-demographic data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire and Giemsa stained blood smear samples were examined using microscope. Data were coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. The overall prevalence of malaria was 8.2% and the prominent species was Plasmodium falciparum (5.4%). Individuals in the third trimester were more infected (5.0%) than those in second (2.4%) and first (1%). Multigravidae (AOR: 0.1, 95% CI: 0.001-0.07), using ITN always (AOR: 0.01, 95% CI: 0.03-0.31), using Indoor IRS in the last twelve months (AOR: 0.02, 95% CI: 0. 01-0.05) and family size 1-3 (AOR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.01-0.90) were identified as protective factors of malaria among pregnant women. The overall prevalence of malaria in the pregnant women requires special attention, so efforts should be made to minimize the problem by promoting frequent visiting of antenatal clinics and supplying bed nets. Key words: Plasmodium species, pregnant women, antenatal care, malaria in pregnancy.
Do Direct Foreign Investments Increase Efficiency Convergence at Firm Level? The Case of Vietnam, 2000-2011

The objective of this study is to assess the extent to which the effect of FDI on firmsâ€™ efficiency and efficiency convergence across industries in Vietnam. Dynamic input output tables are used to construct the linkages between domestic and foreign firms. Stochastic production frontier is used to estimate firms â€˜efficiency with a large panel dataset covering manufacturing firms in Vietnam from 2000 to 2011. The analysis shows that, the impact of FDI on domestic firms â€˜efficiency score and convergence at firmsâ€™ level through the horizontal, backward and supply backward channels are negative and different.
EVALUATION OF FUNGI TOXIC ACTIVITY OF TANNINS AND A TANNIN-COPPER COMPLEX FROM THE MESOCARP OF COCOS NUCIFERA LINN

The fibrous envelope of the coconut tree is an agroindustrial waste product that possesses relevant properties, such as a high resistance to biological degradation, because of its phenolic compound composition. In this study, the fungitoxic activity of tannins and a tannin-copper complex from the mesocarp of Cocos nucifera Linn was conducted. An extract from the coconut mesocarp was obtained in acidic media using a 2.0 wt % solution of NaHSO 3 . Bioassays were conducted on alder wood ( Alnus acuminata ssp. glabrata H.B.K.) using two types of aqueous solutions: 1) crude extract from the coconut mesocarp diluted at several concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 wt %); and 2) a tannin-copper complex formed in two stages by impregnation of the alder wood samples, first with the coconut mesocarp extract solutions followed by addition of a CuCl 2 solution. The fungitoxic capacity of the tannin and tannin-copper complex solutions was evaluated by means of bioassays with Trametes versicolor (L. ex. Fr.) Pilat according to ASTM D 1413-07. The bioassays showed poor fungal inhibition for the wood samples impregnated with the crude extract solutions. However, the tannin-copper complex solutions showed greater fungal inhibition. Retention values of 4.03 and 1.76 kg m -3 were obtained. These values revealed high fungal inhibition for Trametes versicolor .
Too many seats too little talent: an analysis of optimum number of seats for board of directors in state owned enterprises (SOEs) in Zimbabwe

Since dollarization in 2009, the Zimbabwean business environment had been uncertain thereby calling for the need by management and board of directors to understand the vagaries of the economy and the challenges of trying to navigate through it. However, a number of high profile chief executive officers and independent directors of state owned enterprises (SOEs) have been sitting on no fewer than seven companies simultaneously. Some of the independent directors did not have the necessary skills to make them indispensable or their talent scarce and rare. Against this background the study sought to examine the sliding cost benefit scale for independent directors and chief executive officers who sit on many boards other than their own. In addition, the study examined the number of boards an independent director should sit on. The study also examined whether State Owned Enterprises do have a preset criteria to measure the performance of independent directors which should be published in annual reports. Furthermore, the study also established whether independent directors who work on the frontline of business could bring a great deal to board discussion. The study used a survey research design on selected State Owned Enterprises. The study adopted a quantitave methodologi-cal approach where questionnaires were sent to board members of 10 selected companies. The questionnaires were tested for validity and reliability before being distributed. The findings from the study revealed that independent directors siting on too many boards have the risk of getting overloaded and split their time and energy and commitment to the extent that they do none of their jobs well. In addition, the findings showed that independent directors who sit on a number of boards are having trouble in one company, which may lead to the risk of director contagion whereby the taint could rub on the boards on which he or she serves. The findings also revealed that independent directors siting in many boards may fail to give their best to the respective companies without going overboard. Consequently, they fail to devote reasonable time to the affairs of all the companies since the job is onerous. The study recommends that independent directors should hold directorships in no more than three companies each to be effective. This would help the directors in giving quality time and making meaningful contribution. The study also recommends that regulators should also consider making the appointment of independent directors subject to approval by the majority of minority shareholders, a practice that is common in developed markets.
Multifactor Models and Their Consistency with the Icapm: Evidence from the European Stock Market

This paper conducts a European investigation of eight multifactor models that have been previously tested using US data. Many results confirm the US evidence: Most of the eight multifactor models investigated do a good job explaining the crossâ€ section of our testing portfolios, but most models are not justifiable by the Intertemporal CAPM (ICAPM). Carhart's fourâ€ factor model shows the best empirical performance and consistency with the ICAPM. Nevertheless, some results counter the US evidence: Fama and French's threeâ€ factor model is inconsistent with the ICAPM and the models of Hahn and Lee (2006) and Koijen et al. (2010) show low explanatory power.
‘I treat it but I don’t know what this disease is’: a qualitative study on noma (cancrum oris) and traditional healing in northwest Nigeria

Abstract Background Noma, a neglected disease mostly affecting children, with a 90% mortality rate if untreated, is an orofacial gangrene that disintegrates the tissues of the face in <1 wk. Noma can become inactive with early stage antibiotic treatment. Traditional healers, known as mai maganin gargajiya in Hausa, play an important role in the health system and provide care to noma patients. Methods We conducted 12 in-depth interviews with caretakers who were looking after noma patients admitted at the Noma Children's Hospital and 15 traditional healers in their home villages in Sokoto state, northwest Nigeria. We explored perceptions of noma, relationship dynamics, healthcare practices and intervention opportunities. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed and translated. Manual coding and thematic analysis were utilised. Results Traditional healers offered specialised forms of care for specific conditions and referral guidance. They viewed the stages of noma as different conditions with individualised remedies and were willing to refer noma patients. Caretakers trusted traditional healers. Conclusions Traditional healers could play a crucial role in the early detection of noma and the health-seeking decision-making process of patients. Intervention programmes should include traditional healers through training and referral partnerships. This collaboration could save lives and reduce the severity of noma complications.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION WITH INNOVATION AND LEARNING: RULES VERSUS DISCRETION

We analyze a model of environmental regulation with learning about environmental damages and endogenous choice of emissions abatement technology by a polluting firm. We compare environmental policy under discretion, in which policy is updated upon learning new information, versus under rules, in which policy is not updated. When investment in abatement technology is made prior to the resolution of uncertainty, neither discretion nor rules with either taxes or standards achieve an efficient solution. When there is little uncertainty, rules are superior to discretion because discretionary policy gives the firm an incentive to distort investment in order to influence future regulation. However, when uncertainty is large, discretion is superior to rules because it allows regulation to incorporate new information. Under discretionary policy, taxes are superior to standards regardless of the relative slopes of marginal costs and marginal damages.
Do Some Outside Directors Play a Political Role?*

If outside directors with backgrounds in politics and in law play a political role, they will be more important on the boards of firms for which politics matters more. We conduct three tests. First, for a sample of manufacturing firms, we find that politically experienced directors are more prevalent in firms where sales to government, exports, and lobbying are greater; lawyer‐directors are more prevalent in firms where costs of environmental regulation are higher; and both are more prevalent in larger firms. Second, for a sample of electric utilities during the 1990s, when the advent of retail competition made politics more important, we find increased incidence of politically experienced directors. Finally, we explore whether a governmental taste for diversity creates a political role for women directors. Although we document increased incidence of women directors over time, we find little evidence that women directors play a political role.
Readability of HIV/AIDS information manuals in Ghana

This paper examined the readability of some medical information documents for HIV/AIDS patients in Ghana. The SMOG readability formula was used to determine the reading levels of the documents which were obtained through convenience sampling technique. One sample Ttest was used to determine whether there were statistically significant differences in the readability of the sampled HIV/AIDS literature compared to a standard 8th grade recommended for public documents. The bootstrapping technique was employed in this evaluation to ensure robust estimates of significant or p-value, standard errors and the confident intervals. The study revealed that the leaflets were generally difficult to comprehend when compared to the standard readability score of public reading materials. The study concluded that it is prudent such documents are written in plane language in order that the target readers would benefit from the information carried by these documents.Key Words: readability, healthcare, HIV/AIDS, SMOG, patients, leaflets
RINTC PROJECT: NONLINEAR DYNAMIC ANALYSES OF ITALIAN CODE-CONFORMING URM BUILDINGS FOR COLLAPSE RISK ASSESSMENT

Abstract. This paper deals with the computation of the collapse risk of new masonry buildings designed according to the Italian Building Code. Companion papers describe the overall EUCENTRE-ReLUIS joint research project, funded by the Italian Department of Civil Protection (DPC), which considers different building types (r.c., steel buildings, etc) and uses multi-stripe nonlinear dynamic analyses by properly selected ground motion records. 2and 3-storey unreinforced masonry buildings have been designed in cities with increasing seismic hazard, considering two different soil conditions at each site. First, the paper describes geometry, material characteristics (clay block masonry) and main structural details of the buildings, discussing the effect of different design methods (rules for simple buildings, linear and nonlinear static analysis) and models (cantilever or equivalent-frame models). The models used for the assessment by nonlinear dynamic analyses are equivalent-frame models made by masonry piers and spandrels, as well as reinforced concrete members. Two alternative macroelement models are used for the in-plane response of masonry members. Out-of-plane failure modes are assumed to be prevented by the presence of ring beams and limited slenderness of masonry walls. Pushover analyses are used to esti-mate the EDP (maximum interstorey drift ratio) threshold for the collapse limit state. Finally, the results of the multi-stripe analyses are presented for 10 different earthquake’s return periods.
Clinical Study MCP-1 − 2518 A / G Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in Slovak Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

Recent study in a group of German patients with SSc has implicated the SNP in the MCP-1 gene (−2518 A to G) as a factor of susceptibility to SSc. Reflecting the need for replication of genetic association studies, we investigated if this SNP is associated with SSc in another Caucasian population. MCP-1 −2518 A/G genotypes were determined using PCR-SSP in 46 SSc patients and in 449 healthy subjects, all unrelated and of Slovak (Slavonic) origin. The distribution of MCP-1 −2518 A/G genotypes complied with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium both in patient and healthy control groups. There was no difference in MCP-1 −2518∗G allele frequency between SSc patients and healthy subjects (patients: 0.23; controls: 0.24; P > .05). Furthermore, MCP-1 −2518 GG homozygotes were similarly represented among SSc patients and healthy subjects (P > .05). The association of MCP-1 −2518 A/G SNP with SSc observed originally in German population was not replicated in the Slovak population.