Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Selected Macro-economic Variables on Exchange Rates in Kenya

Purpose – This paper sought to establish the effect of selected macro-economic variables on exchange rates in Kenya. The selected macro-economic variables for this study were interest rates, inflation rates and trade flows. Methodology – The study was modeled as a descriptive survey. A data collection sheet was used to collect secondary data from the published bulletin and other publications by Central Bank of Kenya and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics for a period of ten years between 2006 and 2015. The data was examined using descriptive, correlation and regression analyses. Findings - Results of the study showed that interest rate had a positive correlation coefficient of 0.446 with exchange rate, Inflation rate and exchange rate had a correlation coefficient of negative 0.395 while the Level of aggregation of trade flows had a correlation coefficient of positive 0.829 to the exchange rate. The value of R square was 0.745, a discovery that 74.5 percent of the deviations in exchange rates in Kenya occurred due to changes in interest rate, inflation rate and trade flows at 95 percent confidence level. The significance value obtained was less than p=0.05 implying that the model was statistically significant in predicting how the macro economic variables of interest rate, inflation rate and trade flows affect exchange rates in Kenya. Implications - The Kenyan shilling has been depreciating in value over the years implying a weakening of its purchasing power in the international markets. Policy makers should come up with policies that will contribute to reversing this trend. Managing the prevailing levels of inflation, interest rates and trade flows will be key as they have been found to significantly affect exchange rates. Value - The study will act as a guide to various banking sector policymakers key being the Central Bank of Kenya and the Treasury in formulation of the policies which will manage exchange rates and spur growth and profitability in this sector. The monetary policy decision makers can innovatively formulate foreign exchange strategies that ensure that the exchange rate in the financial market at any time do not negate investments in the economy. Key Words : selected macro-economic variables, exchange rates in Kenya
Characterization of high molecular weight transforming growth factor alpha produced by rat hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

In addition to the mature 50 amino acid transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), some transformed cells appear to produce multiple higher molecular weight forms. The structure and derivation of most of these larger soluble TGF alpha species remain to be established. We previously reported that a chemically induced rat hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, JM1, secreted acid-stable proteins which bind to epidermal growth factor receptors and stimulate DNA synthesis in primary cultures of normal adult rat hepatocytes. Purification and characterization of these hepatoma-derived growth factors have indicated their relationship to TGF alpha. Two EGF-competing activities of apparent Mr 30K and 10K were separated by gel filtration of concentrated JM1-conditioned medium and further purified by ion-exchange chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC. Both growth factors were detected by a radioimmunoassay specific for TGF alpha. Western blotting with antibodies to the 50 amino acid TGF alpha revealed that the lower molecular weight factor comigrated with the synthetic 6-kDa rat TGF alpha. The higher molecular weight TGF alpha appeared on immunoblots as a diffuse band of 18-21 kDa, which converted to the mature 6-kDa form upon digestion with elastase, confirming a precursor-product relationship. However, the 18-21-kDa proteins did not react with antibodies directed against the carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic segment of the transmembrane TGF alpha precursor. Enzymatic deglycosylation of the 18-21-kDa TGF alpha species by sequential removal of sialic acids and O- and N-linked carbohydrate reduced the molecular weight to 11K. The size and soluble nature of this polypeptide suggest that it represents the extracellular domain of the transmembrane TGF alpha precursor. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Characterization of 1/spl times/N broadcast and 2/spl times/N multicast packet switching using active-vertical-coupler-based optical crosspoint switch

This paper reports the expansion of a novel optical multicast scheme to 1-to-4 and 2-to-4 configurations using an active-vertical-coupler (AVC)-based optical crosspoint switch (OXS) matrix. A 1-to-4 broadcast experiment has been carried out first, with only 0.5 dB excess loss per signal split. Input signals with two wavelengths are then fed into one row of OXS to investigate the effect of wavelength-division multiplexing on the 1-to-4 multicast switching. Finally, combining both, the expanded 2-to-N multicast is also achieved with an N value up to 4. The switching characteristics, switched signal quality, and optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) have been investigated in different configurations. Power penalties of less than 4.5 dB are found in worst case switched signals in the 2-to-4 configuration. Slow OSNR degradation in line with previous prediction is also observed. The measured results confirm the excellent multicast switching characteristics nearly free from power splitting loss in this device
Reduced Plasminogen Binding and Delayed Activation Render γ′-Fibrin More Resistant to Lysis than γA-Fibrin*

Background: When compared with degradation of the predominant γA-fibrin, lysis of variant γ′-fibrin is delayed. Results: Thrombin-mediated fibrinopeptide B release is slower from γ′-fibrinogen than from γA-fibrinogen, resulting in delayed binding and activation of plasminogen. Conclusion: Delayed plasmin generation renders γ′-fibrin resistant to lysis. Significance: The association between slower clotting and delayed lysis highlights the links between coagulation and fibrinolysis. Fibrin (Fn) clots formed from γ′-fibrinogen (γ′-Fg), a variant with an elongated γ-chain, are resistant to lysis when compared with clots formed from the predominant γA-Fg, a finding previously attributed to differences in clot structure due to delayed thrombin-mediated fibrinopeptide (FP) B release or impaired cross-linking by factor XIIIa. We investigated whether slower lysis of γ′-Fn reflects delayed plasminogen (Pg) binding and/or activation by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), reduced plasmin-mediated proteolysis of γ′-Fn, and/or altered cross-linking. Clots formed from γ′-Fg lysed more slowly than those formed from γA-Fg when lysis was initiated with tPA/Pg when FPA and FPB were both released, but not when lysis was initiated with plasmin, or when only FPA was released. Pg bound to γ′-Fn with an association rate constant 22% lower than that to γA-Fn, and the lag time for initiation of Pg activation by tPA was longer with γ′-Fn than with γA-Fn. Once initiated, however, Pg activation kinetics were similar. Factor XIIIa had similar effects on clots formed from both Fg isoforms. Therefore, slower lysis of γ′-Fn clots reflects delayed FPB release, which results in delayed binding and activation of Pg. When clots were formed from Fg mixtures containing more than 20% γ′-Fg, the upper limit of the normal level, the delay in lysis was magnified. These data suggest that circulating levels of γ′-Fg modulate the susceptibility of clots to lysis by slowing Pg activation by tPA and provide another example of the intimate connections between coagulation and fibrinolysis.
Tissue Release of Cardiac Markers: from Physiology to Clinical Applications

Abstract The early release of cardiac markers is influenced by a variety of factors, the most important influence being their intracellular compartmentation. In contrast to the release of cytosolic proteins, the release of structurally bound proteins requires both a leaky plasma membrane and a dissociation or degradation of the subcellular structure, which is a slower process. Another major impact is the susceptibility to the degradation by cytosolic proteases, such as the calpains. The lysosomes are stable within the first 3–4 hours after onset of ischemia, and, therefore, their enzymes are not involved in the early degradation of structurally bound proteins. Troponin I and troponin T are substrates of μ-calpain. Current experimental as well as clinical results suggest that the molecular mass seems to be of minor importance for the pattern of appearance of myocardial proteins in blood after myocardial infarction. However, within the family of molecules with a certain intracellular compartmentation, the molecular mass is an influence on the appearance in blood, because heavier molecules diffuse at a slower rate, and particularly smaller molecules, such as myoglobin, may enter the vascular system to an even larger extent directly via the microvascular endothelium. The higher the concentration gradient of a marker between the cardiomyocytes and the interstitial space, the faster a parameter will translocate from sarcoplasma to the interstitial space as soon as the plasma membrane permeability is increased. Another influence is local blood and lymphatic flow. Recent experimental studies showed that reperfusion causes a true acceleration of cellular protein leakage by an acute manifestation of plasmalemmal disruptions and not just an enhanced wash out. Marker protein time-courses after myocardial damage are also markedly influenced by their disappearance rate from blood. Most proteins appear to be catabolized in organs with a high metabolic rate, such as liver, pancreas, kidneys, and the reticuloendothelial system. Smaller molecules, such as myoglobin, also pass the glomerular membranes of the kidneys and are reabsorbed and subsequently metabolized in tubular epithelial cells.
Business-local government Interdependence and Corporate Social Responsibility Intention in China

This research examines how business-local government interdependence influences firm corporate social responsibility (CSR) intention. Specifically, based on resource dependence theory, we propose that when firms are more dependent on political resources possessed by local government, firms would be more intent to use CSR as a political instrument to restructure their interdependence with local government; when local government is more dependent on firm economic resources, firms may shirk CSR opportunistically. Moreover, we suggest that the above relationship be contingent on firm pollution visibility, political connections, and the claim urgency of the local government. We use a nation-wide survey of 1,268 firms to test these hypotheses and obtain supports from the statistical analysis.
Pulmonary Resection for Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcomas

The therapeutic results of pulmonary resection for metastatic soft tissue sarcomas were analyzed. From 1970 to 1992, 23 patients (15 male and 8 female) underwent 40 pulmonary resections for metastatic soft tissue sarcomas. Nine (39%) patients had multiple thoracoto-mies for recurrences (range, 2–6). The 5-year actuarial overall survival was 32% (median, 28 months). Statistical analysis showed that age, gender, location of primary tumor, histology, site of pulmonary metastasis, tumor doubling time, or chemotherapy did not impact on survival. Significant prognostic factors associated with improved survival (p < 0.05) included a disease-free interval, and completeness and extent of the initial pulmonary resection. Patients with disease-free intervals ≥ 12 months survived longer (5-year survival, 48.5%) than patients with disease-free intervals <12 months (12%). Patients who could be rendered free of disease at their initial thoracotomy, without extended chestwall resection, achieved a better outcome (5-year survival, 44%) than the others (5-year survival, 0%).
Long Term Changes of the Throwing Arm of Former Elite Javelin Throwers

The aim of this study was to determine long term changes in shoulder and elbow joints of former elite javelin throwers. Twenty-one elite javelin throwers were examined at an average of 19 years after the end of their high performance phase. Mean age at examination was 50 years. Functional assessment of both shoulders was determined by the Constant-score. The shoulder of the throwing arm was examined by magnetic resonance imaging. Both elbow joints were examined clinically and radiographically. Five athletes complained about transient shoulder pain in their throwing arm affecting activities of daily living, fourteen athletes had a deficit of internal rotation of at least ten degrees. Constant-scores of throwing arms were six points lower than those of non-throwing arms (P < 0.05). Complete ruptures and partial tears of the rotator cuff were frequent. Three athletes complained about transient elbow pain in their throwing arm affecting activities of daily living; ten athletes had a deficit of extension of more than five degrees. All dominant elbows had advanced arthrotic alterations (osteophytes, sclerosis) compared to the non-dominant side. Athletes who trained with weights of more than 3 kg had a significantly higher risk of degenerative changes than athletes who did not (P < 0.01). We therefore recommend to avoid throwing training with weights of more than 3 kg.
Perchlorate and Radioiodide Kinetics Across Life Stages in the Human: Using PBPK Models to Predict Dosimetry and Thyroid Inhibition and Sensitive Subpopulations Based on Developmental Stage

Perchlorate (ClO4 − ) is a drinking-water contaminant, known to disrupt thyroid hormone homeostasis in rats. This effect has only been seen in humans at high doses, yet the potential for long term effects from developmental endocrine disruption emphasizes the need for improved understanding of perchlorate’s effect during the perinatal period. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic/dynamic (PBPK/PD) models for ClO4 − and its effect on thyroid iodide uptake were constructed for human gestation and lactation data. Chemical specific parameters were estimated from life-stage and species-specific relationships established in previously published models for various life-stages in the rat and nonpregnant adult human. With the appropriate physiological descriptions, these kinetic models successfully simulate radioiodide data culled from the literature for gestation and lactation, as well as ClO4 − data from populations exposed to contaminated drinking water. These models provide a framework for extrapolating from chemical exposure in laboratory animals to human response, and support a more quantitative understanding of life-stage-specific susceptibility to ClO4 −. The pregnant and lactating woman, fetus, and nursing infant were predicted to have higher blood ClO4 − concentrations and greater thyroid iodide uptake inhibition at a given drinking-water concentration than either the nonpregnant adult or the older child. The fetus is predicted to receive the greatest dose (per kilogram body weight) due to several factors, including placental sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) activity and reduced maternal urinary clearance of ClO4 −. The predicted extent of iodide inhibition in the most sensitive population (fetus) is not significant (∼1%) at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reference dose (0.0007 mg/kg-d).
Nrf2-Mediated Neuroprotection Against Recurrent Hypoglycemia Is Insufficient to Prevent Cognitive Impairment in a Rodent Model of Type 1 Diabetes

It remains uncertain whether recurrent nonsevere hypoglycemia (Hypo) results in long-term cognitive impairment in type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study tested the hypothesis that specifically in the T1D state, Hypo leads to cognitive impairment via a pathological response to oxidative stress. Wild-type (Control) and nuclear factor–erythroid 2 p45–related factor 2 (Nrf2) null mice were studied. Eight groups of mice (Control and Nrf2−/− ± T1D and ± Hypo) were subject to recurrent, twice-weekly, insulin or saline injections over 4 weeks, after which cognitive function was assessed and brain tissue analyzed. Recurrent moderate hypoglycemia in T1D, but not Control, mice significantly impaired cognitive performance, and this was associated with hippocampal oxidative damage and inflammation despite an enhanced expression of Nrf2 and its target genes Hmox1 and Nqo1. In Nrf2−/− mice, both T1D and Hypo independently resulted in impaired cognitive performance, and this was associated with oxidative cell damage and marked inflammation. Together, these data suggest that Hypo induces an Nrf2-dependent antioxidant response in the hippocampus, which counteracts oxidative damage. However, in T1D, this neuroprotective mechanism is insufficient to prevent neuronal oxidative damage, resulting in chronic deficits in working and long-term memory.
Productivity and Efficiency Analysis of Smallholder Maize Producers in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract This study was undertaken in southern Ethiopia to assess productivity and technical efficiency of smallholder farmers and identify factors that determine productivity and technical efficiency. It was based on the data collected from 385 randomly selected farmers. A normalized translog production function was employed to assess maize productivity and factors conditioning productivity. In addition, data envelopment analysis was used to determine the levels of technical efficiency. Furthermore, a Tobit regression model was applied to identify factors influencing technical efficiency. The result depicted that productivity of maize was significantly influenced by the use of labor, fertilizer, and oxen power. The mean technical efficiency was found to be 40 percent indicating that there was substantial level of technical inefficiency of smallholder farmers in maize production. Important factors that significantly affected the technical efficiency were agro-ecology, oxen holding, farm size and use of high yielding maize varieties.
Prospective Functional Voice Assessment in Patients Undergoing Thyroid Surgery

ObjectiveTo analyze voice function before and after thyroidectomy for patients with normal preoperative voice using a standardized multidimensional voice assessment protocol. Summary Background DataThe natural history of post-thyroidectomy voice disturbances for patients with preserved laryngeal nerve function has not been systematically studied and characterized with the intent of using the data for postoperative voice rehabilitation. MethodsDuring a prospective single-arm study, patients with normal voice underwent functional voice testing using a standardized voice grading scale and a battery of acoustic, aerodynamic, glottographic, and videostroboscopic tests before, 1 week after, and 3 months after thyroidectomy. Differences in observed sample means were evaluated using analysis of covariance or t test; categorical data was analyzed using the Fisher exact or chi-square test. ResultsFifty-four patients were enrolled; 50 and 46 were evaluable at 1 week and 3 months, respectively. No patient developed recurrent laryngeal nerve injury; one had superior laryngeal nerve injury. Fifteen (30%) patients reported early subjective voice change and seven (14%) reported late (3-month) subjective voice change. Forty-two (84%) patients had significant objective change in at least one voice parameter. Six (12%) had significant alterations in more than three voice measures, of which four (67%) were symptomatic, whereas 25% with three or fewer objective changes had symptoms. Patients with persistent voice change at 3 months had an increased likelihood of multiple (more than three) early objective changes (43% vs. 7%). Early maximum phonational frequency range and vocal jitter changes from baseline were significantly associated with voice symptoms at 3 months. ConclusionsEarly vocal symptoms are common following thyroidectomy and persist in 14% of patients. Multiple (more than three) objective voice changes correlate with early and late postoperative symptoms. Alterations in maximum phonational frequency range and vocal jitter predict late perceived vocal changes. Factors other than laryngeal nerve injury appear to alter post-thyroidectomy voice. The variability of patient symptoms underscores the importance of understanding the physiology of dysphonia.
An output integral sliding mode FTC scheme using control allocation

In this paper, a new fault tolerant control scheme is proposed for systems where only output information is available. The ideas of integral sliding mode control are used to ensure robustness throughout the entire response of the system, even in certain actuator fault/failure cases. This is accomplished by integrating fixed control allocation within this ISM framework. An unknown input observer is included in the proposed scheme to estimate the states, as it is assumed that there is no information of the true states or knowledge of the faults or failures from a monitoring scheme. A rigorous closed-loop stability analysis is presented, and in fact, a convex representation of the problem is formulated to synthesize a controller. Simulation results on a benchmark civil aircraft model show good tracking of the commanded signals.
Tofacitinib or adalimumab versus placebo: patient-reported outcomes from a phase 3 study of active rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To evaluate effects of tofacitinib or adalimumab on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with moderate to severe RA and inadequate responses to MTX. Methods. In this 12-month, phase 3, randomized controlled trial (ORAL Standard), patients (n = 717) receiving background MTX were randomized to tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily (BID), adalimumab 40 mg once every 2 weeks or placebo. PROs included HAQ-Disability Index, Patient Global Assessment of Arthritis, Patient Assessment of Arthritis Pain, health-related quality of life (Short Form-36 [SF-36]), fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue) and sleep (Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep). Results. At month 3, tofacitinib 10 mg BID treatment resulted in significant changes from baseline vs placebo across all PROs, sustained to month 12, with the highest number of patients reporting improvements ⩾minimum clinically important differences vs placebo (P < 0.05). Changes from baseline at month 3 with tofacitinib 5 mg BID and adalimumab were similar and statistically significant vs placebo across most PROs, excluding SF-36 Mental Component Score and Social Functioning, Role Emotional, and Mental Health domains, with significantly more patients reporting improvements ⩾minimum clinically important differences. Numbers Needed to Treat were lowest for tofacitinib 10 mg BID and similar between tofacitinib 5 mg BID and adalimumab. Conclusion. Patients with moderate to severe RA and inadequate responses to MTX reported improvements across a broad range of PROs with tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg BID and adalimumab that were significantly superior to placebo.
Assessing Employability Skills among Special Education Student Teachers in Malaysia

The aim of this study is to assess employability skills among Special Education student teachers in Malaysia with regards to gender and years of study. Employability skills is conceptualized by 8 generic skills namely, Communication, Critical Thinking, Adaptation, Teamwork, Leadership, Moral and Ethical, ICT and Social. A total of 258 student teachers who enrol in Special Education programme provide reponses for this study. Result shows that female student teachers demonstrate higher mean score for all skills with significant differences are reported for Critical Thinking, ICT, Leadership, Moral, and Social skills. Year 4 student teachers show lowest score in the employability skill as well as for Adaptation, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Moral, Social, Teamwork domains.