Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic Reforms in China and India: Past and Future Challenges

In China and India broad economic reforms since the 1980s progressively opened to private initiative and international trade and were key contributors to their formidable growth patterns. Today, the positive effects of past liberalizations are fading and the two countries have reached a level of development and complexity that requires a “new generation” of reforms, qualitatively more complex and politically less palatable. This paper identifies the turning points in China’s and India’s long phases of fast growth. It then turns to the open issues that need government action to support a sustainable and lasting growth process. In China, the priorities are to foster new growth engines by boosting domestic consumption and improving quality and efficiency on the supply side. In India, the reforms proposed by the government aim at facilitating investment, fostering innovation, protecting intellectual property, and building top-class manufacturing infrastructure. Broad reforms of financial and labor markets are also on the agenda. To make progress in these reforms both countries will require overcoming the resistance of vested interests and short term implementation costs.
Five‐Week Intake of Short‐Chain Fructo‐Oligosaccharides Increases Intestinal Absorption and Status of Magnesium in Postmenopausal Women

Fermentable carbohydrates have been shown to be nondigestible by human enzymes in the small intestine but are fermented extensively in the large bowel to short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which can increase mineral absorption. It has been shown that feeding such carbohydrates including short‐chain fructo‐oligosaccharides (sc‐FOSs) increases intestinal magnesium (Mg) absorption in animals, but their beneficial impact on Mg absorption in humans still remains to be established. Therefore, this work aimed to investigate the effect of moderate daily doses of sc‐FOSs (10 g/day) on the intestinal absorption and status of Mg in postmenopausal women without hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Eleven healthy postmenopausal women aged 59 ± 6 years (mean ± SD) received for 5 weeks sc‐FOS or sucrose (placebo) treatments according to a randomized, double‐blind, crossover design separated by a washout period of at least 3 weeks. Subjects ingested 87.5 mg of stable isotope25Mg together with a fecal marker. Subsequently, feces were collected for 5–7 days. An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP/MS) was used for25Mg stable isotope measurements in feces, urine, and blood. Mg levels were assessed also at the beginning and at the end of each treatment in plasma, erythrocytes, and urine. These measurements allowed for the determination of net intestinal Mg absorption and Mg status. The results show that the addition of 10 g sc‐FOS to the diet increased Mg absorption by 12.3%, from 30.2 ± 5.0% (placebo treatment) to 33.9 ± 7.2% (sc‐FOS treatment; mean ± SD; p < 0.02). This increase in intestinal Mg absorption was accompanied by an increase in plasma25Mg level and led to a higher urinary25Mg excretion. This is the first time that such an effect is shown in humans. The overall conclusion of this work is that the ingestion of moderate doses of sc‐FOS did improve intestinal Mg absorption and status in postmenopausal women. Because of the important role of Mg in many cellular functions, such Mg absorption improvement may be particularly interesting when the dietary intake of Mg is limited.
Treadmill exercise slows cognitive deficits in aging rats by antioxidation and inhibition of amyloid production

Chronic administration of D-galactose simulates the changes in natural senescence and accelerates aging in animal models and has been used in aging research. The present study was undertaken to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of exercise on learning and memory in rats with D-galactose-induced aging. The learning and memory performance in aging rats, either after exercise or without exercise, was assessed with the Morris water maze test. The effect of treadmill exercise on the expression of amyloid-&bgr; 42 and two key enzymes involved in processing of the &bgr;-amyloid precursor protein, a disintegrase and metalloprotease domain 17 and &bgr;-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1, in the hippocampi of rats were monitored using real-time quantitative PCR. Moreover, oxidative stress-associated changes, including changes in superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde content, in the hippocampi were assessed after exercise. Our results showed that treadmill exercise significantly improved learning and memory performance in aging rats. The behavioral changes were likely induced by repression of amyloid-&bgr; 42 protein levels, through the upregulation of a disintegrase and metalloprotease domain 17 mRNA and downregulation of &bgr;-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 mRNA, and a concomitant increase in superoxide dismutase activity and decrease in malondialdehyde content, in rat hippocampi. Our data suggest that exercise may be an effective therapy for alleviating learning and memory decline due to aging or the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.
Willingness to Pay for an Unwanted Medicine Collection Program: A Double Hurdle Approach

There has been increasing concern about the environmental impact of pharmaceutical accumulation in surface and groundwater over the last two decades. Several states in the U.S. have implemented medicine take-back programs to help mitigate problems associated with unused and unwanted pharmaceuticals in households. States bordering the Great Lakes have particularly been concerned about this issue. This study assessed the value of a pharmaceutical collection program based on the willingness to pay per prescription and willingness to pay per visit of current and potential participants of the program in the Great Lakes area. We found that 60 % of the population is willing to participate in a collection program, while 40 % is willing to pay to participate in the program. The estimated unconditional mean WTP from a Double Hurdle Model is $0.53 per prescription and $1.03 per visit; and with the conditional mean willingness to pay, $1.25 per prescription and $2.33 per visit. Total annual benefits for such programs given the number of households in the area are estimated to be $20.1 million when considering WTP per prescription, and $18.9 million for a single drop-off per year when considering WTP per visit. This information will help better inform program providers, researchers, policymakers, advocates and other interested parties.
Analysis of Knops blood group antigens on CR1 (CD35) by the MAIEA test and by immunoblotting

Kna, McCa, Sla and Yka are red cell antigens of relatively high frequency, located on complement receptor 1 (CR1, CD35). Antibodies to these Knops system antigens are not uncommon. They are not haemolytic and do not reduce the survival of transfused incompatible red cells, but they are a nuisance in transfusion laboratories as they can cause an incompatible crossmatch and must be identified before they can be dismissed as clinically insignificant. Human red cell alloantibodies can be shown to be Knops system antibodies by the monoclonal‐antibody‐specific immobilization of erythrocyte antigens (MAIEA) test, using murine monoclonal anti‐CR1. In addition to confirming that Kna, McCa, Sla and Yka are located on CR1, the MAIEA test was used to confirm that Csa is not on CR1. Red cells of the Helgeson phenotype, the null phenotype of the Knops system by conventional serological methods, have levels of Kna, McCa, Sla and Yka intermediate between those of α‐chymotrypsin‐treated cells (which lack Knops system antigens) and those of positive control cells. Level of expression of Knops system antigens is very variable and intensity of staining of immunoblots probed with monoclonal anti‐CR1 correlated with strength of Knops system antigens, as determined by the MAIEA test. In individuals heterozygous for alleles producing different allotypes, separate bands representing each allotype on an immunoblot showed identical intensity of staining, suggesting that the quantity of CR1 on red cells is controlled, at least in part, by a locus independent of CR1. An analysis of CR1 on red cells of individuals who have made Knops system antibodies suggested that the Knops system antigens and the antibodies that detect them are complex and heterogeneous.
Spontaneous Fluctuations of Human Pupil Reflect Central Autonomic Rhythms

Abstract: Aim of this study is to assess whether and to what extent LF and HF rhythms contribute to spontaneous pupil diameter fluctuations at rest and during sympathetic activation by Head-Up Tilt Test 70°. ECG, Finapres and Respiration data from 10 normal subjects were recorded simultaneously to spontaneous pupil diameter fluctuations (SPDF). The respiratory rhythm and the LF component were clearly detected in all the SPDF series. The cross-spectrum analysis gave significant results (>0.5) in HF band. During tilt, a reduction in the total variability with a relative increase of the LF component was observed in HR, BP and SPDF signals. The multivariate analysis of the SPDF and of the cardiovascular variability series allows new insights into the physiology of pupil neural control. The effect of tilting on SPDF spectra and the physiological background of the pupil control are consistent with the hypothesis that pupil fluctuations reflect a generalized increase of the sympathetic tone.
Trajectories of Russian manufacturing firms’ growth after the global financial crisis of 2008–2009: the role of restructuring efforts and regional institutional environment

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to conduct an empirical investigation and reveal which types of modernisation strategies and characteristics of regional institutional environment are likely to be associated with patterns of the performance of Russian manufacturing firms in 2007–2012. In addition to estimating the impact of ex-ante behaviour on the rate of sales growth, we use hierarchical cluster analysis to reveal the typical trajectories of firms’ sales growth. We find that the dynamic of sales for more than 90% of firms can be described by just two types of performance curve: (a) crisis decline with recovery and growth; and (b) crisis decline with weak recovery and stagnation. Firms that invested more prior to the crisis and implemented active restructuring were more likely to have positive post-crisis dynamics of sales. We find evidence that firms in the regions with lower levels of corruption (both administrative and everyday) were more likely to recover successfully after the crisis.
Polymer flip-chip bonding of pressure sensors on a flexible Kapton film for neonatal catheters

In this paper, we describe the development of a new approach to mounting silicon pressure microsensors inside a 5 French (1.67 mm outer diameter) neonatal catheter tube for intravascular blood pressure measurements. Kapton film was used as a low-cost, flexible interface between the flip-chip bonded sensors at one end and wires to external electronics at the other end. Conductive polymer paste was used to flip-chip bond sensors to the flexible Kapton substrate at low temperature, while gold traces were used to form electrical interconnects on the film surface. Conductivity and bonding strength of the resulting polymer bumps were on the order of 100 mΩ and 4.43 mN mm−2, respectively. Piezoresistive pressure microsensors were successfully mounted on Kapton carriers, packaged inside catheter tubes, and characterized in both gas and liquid environments. The sensors exhibited sensitivity of approximately 60 µV mmHg−1 over the target pressure range of 0–350 mmHg. Two-week tests in water at 27 °C and 36 °C showed only slight variations in contact resistances, indicating that the developed approach to packaging microsensors was sufficiently robust for the target application.
Income Inequality and Education Revisited: Persistence, Endogeneity, and Heterogeneity

This paper presents new results on the relationship between income inequality and education expansion—that is, increasing average years of schooling and reducing inequality of schooling. When dynamic panel estimation techniques are used to address issues of persistence and endogeneity, we find a large, positive, statistically significant and stable relationship between inequality of schooling and income inequality, especially in emerging and developing economies and among older age cohorts. The relationship between income inequality and average years of schooling is positive, consistent with constant or increasing returns to additional years of schooling. While this positive relationship is small and not always statistically significant, we find a statistically significant negative relationship with years of schooling of younger cohorts. Statistical tests indicate that our dynamic estimators are consistent and that our identifying instruments are valid. Policy simulations suggest that education expansion will continue to be inequality reducing. This role will diminish as countries develop, but it could be enhanced through a stronger focus on reducing inequality in the quality of education.
Immunoglobulins in patients with atopic dermatitis due to mites infestation in Qualyobia Governorate, Egypt.

Atopic dermatitis (A.D.) is a hereditary and distinct form of eczema which may be associated with other atopic manifestations. The aetiopothogenesis of A.D. is unknown and it is widely accepted that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors are involved. House dust mites (HDM) are of great medical importance in causing allergic manifestations in human being. In the present work, a total of 30 A.D. patients with different ages of both sexes were examined for the immunoglobulins level as compared to control group. The IgG, IgM, IgA & IgE were higher in the patients than in the controls. These differences were highly significant in the IgE. On the other hand, IgA showed no significant increase.
Negative regulation of the pts operon by Mlc: mechanism underlying glucose induction in Escherichia coli

The pts operon of Escherichia coli consists of three genes ptsH, ptsI and crr, each encoding for central components of the phosphoenolpyruvate: carbohydrate phosphotransferase system, HPr, enzyme I and IIAGlc, respectively. Transcription of the pts operon is stimulated when glucose is present in the culture medium. One of the two major promoters, P0, is responsible for this glucose induction. However, no regulatory protein responsible for the glucose induction of the pts operon has been identified yet and molecular mechanism by which glucose stimulates the pts transcription is not known.
Foreign Bank Subsidiaries’ Risk-Taking Behavior: Impact of Home and Host Country National Culture

This paper examines whether the risk-taking behavior of foreign affiliates of multinational banks is more influenced by the national culture of their parent banks’ home country or the national culture of foreign affiliates’ host country. The study uses a dataset of 292 foreign affiliates (i.e., subsidiaries or branch operations) operating in 66 countries having parent banks in 26 countries for empirical analysis. National culture of both home and host countries is measured with four dimensions—uncertainty avoidance, individualism, masculinity and power distance—of Hofstede's framework of national culture. Findings suggest that the national culture of parent banks’ home country has higher impact on the risk-taking behavior of foreign affiliates of multinational banks than the national culture of their host country. Specifically, foreign affiliates’ risk-taking is higher if parent banks’ home country has low uncertainty avoidance, high individualism and low power distance cultural values. This study extends our understanding that how informal institutions, such as the national culture, influence the financial decisions in multinational banks.
Further assessment of the complement component 2 and factor B region associated with age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE Polymorphic variation in genes involved in regulation of the complement system has been implicated as a major cause of genetic risk, in addition to the LOC387715/HTRA1 locus and other environmental influences. Previous studies have identified polymorphisms in the complement component 2 (CC2) and factor B (CFB) genes, as potential functional variants associated with AMD, in particular CFB R32Q and CC2 rs547154, both of which share strong linkage disequilibrium (LD). METHODS Data derived from the HapMap Project were used to select 18 haplotype-tagging SNPs across the extended CC2/CFB region for genotyping, to measure the strength of LD in 318 patients with neovascular AMD and 243 age-matched control subjects to identify additional potential functional variants in addition to those originally reported. RESULTS Strong LD was measured across this region as far as the superkiller viralicidic activity 2-like gene (SKIV2L). Nine SNPs were identified to be significantly associated with the genetic effect observed at this locus. Of these, a nonsynonymous coding variant SKIV2L R151Q (rs438999; OR, 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.74; P<0.001), was in strong LD with CFB R32Q, rs641153 (r(2)=0.95) and may exert a functional effect. When assessed within a logistic regression model measuring the effects of genetic variation at the CFH and LOC387715/HTRA1 loci and smoking, the effect remained significant (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.22-0.65; P<0.001). Additional variation identified within this region may also confer a weaker but independent effect and implicate additional genes within the pathogenesis of AMD. CONCLUSIONS Because of the high level of LD within the extended CC2/CFB region, variation within SKIV2L may exert a functional effect in AMD.
The Mediator Effect of Logistics Performance Index on the Relation Between Corruption Perception Index and Foreign Trade Volume

Logistics performance of a country plays an important role within both economic and social developments. Therefore examining the relationship among the logistic performance, corruption and foreign trade volume of a country would contribute to the literature. Logistics Performance Index (LPI) has firstly been issued byWorld Bank in 2007 and continued in the years 2010, 2012, 2014. In this paper the mediator effect of Logistics Performance Index (LPI) on the relation between Corruption Perception Index (CPI) and Foreign Trade Volume (FTV) analyzed for the years 2007, 2010, 2012, 2014. The hierarchical regression analysis method was used in order to determine the mediator effect. As per the analysis results, the mediator effect of LPI on the relation between CPI and FTV is statistically significant. Consequently it could be suggested that the logistics ability of a country trigger the relation between corruption and foreign trade volume.
Distribution and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria isolated from cancer hospital in 2013.

OBJECTIVE To understand distribution and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria from a specialized cancer hospital in 2013 in order to provide a basis for rational clinical antimicrobial agents. METHODS Pathogenic bacteria identification and drug sensitivity tests were performed with a VITEK 2 compact automatic identification system and data were analyzed using WHONET5.6 software. RESULTS Of the 1,378 strains tested, 980 were Gram-negative bacilli, accounting for 71.1%, in which Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the dominant strains. We found 328 Gram-positive coccus, accounting for 23.8%, in which the amount of Staphylococcus aureus was the highest. We identified 46 fungi, accounting for 4.1%. According to the departmental distribution within the hospital, the surgical departments isolated the major strains, accounting for 49.7%. According to disease types, lung cancer, intestinal cancer and esophagus cancer were the top three, accounting for 20.9%, 17.3% and 14.2%, respectively. No strains were resistant to imipenem, ertapenem or vancomycin. CONCLUSIONS Pathogenic bacteria isolated from the specialized cancer hospital have different resistance rates compared to commonly used antimicrobial agents; therefore antimicrobial agents to reduce the morbidity and mortality of infections should be used.
The Impact of Effective Recruitment and Selection Practice on Organisational Performance (A Case Study at University Of Ghana)

One of the most significant developments in the field of organizations in recent times is the increasing importance given to human resource. People are vital to organizations as they offer perspectives, values and attributes to organizational life; and when managed effectively, these human traits can be of considerable benefits to the organization. As revealed in Djabatey (2012) this scenario lends credence to the increasing attention being paid to the people aspect of organizational wealth. This is so because the development of people, their competencies, and the process development of the total organization are the fulcrum of human resource management (Mullins, 1999; Djabatey, 2012).
Disability in young people and adults after head injury: 5–7 year follow up of a prospective cohort study

Background: Improvement 1–2 years after head injury is well established but the pattern thereafter is unclear. Past studies have not examined representative head injury populations and typically report findings in terms of functioning across social, psychological, neurobehavioural, or cognitive domains rather than global outcome. Objective: To determine the late outcome of a representative cohort of participants admitted to hospital after a head injury 5–7 years previously and to identify early and late factors correlating with persisting disability and change between one and 5–7 years. Methods: A representative cohort of head injured people whose outcome one year after injury was reported previously, were followed up 5–7 years after injury. Participants were assessed using structured and validated measures of global outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended), cognitive impairment, psychological wellbeing, health status, and social factors. Results: Of 475 survivors studied at one year, 115 (24%) had died by seven years. In survivors at 5–7 years, disability remained frequent (53%); and the rate, similar to that found at one year (57%). Sixty three participants (29%) had improved but 55 (25%) deteriorated. The persistence of disability and its development after previous recovery each showed stronger associations with indices of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem than with initial severity of injury or persisting cognitive impairment. Conclusions: Admission to hospital after head injury is followed 5–7 years later by disability in a high proportion of survivors. Persistence of disability and development of new disability are strongly associated with psychosocial factors that may be open to remediation, even late after injury.