Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The invariance properties of the mutual information index of multigroup segregation

In the context of educational segregation by ethnic group, it has been argued that rigorous pairwise segregation comparisons over time or across space should be invariant in two situations: when the ethnic composition of the population changes while the distribution of each ethnic group over the schools remains constant (invariance 1), or when the size distribution of schools changes while the ethnic composition of each school remains constant (invariance 2). This paper makes two contributions to the segregation literature. First, it argues by means of the Mutual Information or M index, which is neither invariant 1 nor 2, that both properties have strong implications, and it provides reasons to defend that the overall segregation index need not satisfy either one. Second, nevertheless, it is shown that in pairwise comparisons this index admits two decompositions into three terms. In the first decomposition, a term is invariant 1 and also satisfies a weak version of invariance 2. In the second decomposition, a term is invariant 2 and also satisfies a weak version of invariance 1. It is shown that these decompositions can be used to reach the analogous ones obtained in Deutsch et al. (2006).
Purification and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus eta-Lactamase from Lebanese Community

While previously recognized antibioticresistant bacteria continue to increase in frequency and numbers globally, new resistance problems have recently emerged which further complicate and impede treatment of critical infectious diseases (Levy, 2005). Since the discovery and subsequent widespread use of antibiotics, a variety of bacterial species of human and animal origin have developed numerous mechanisms that render bacteria resistant to some, and in certain cases to nearly all antibiotics (Dzidic et al., 2008). Bacterial resistance to -lactam antibiotics can be achieved by any of three strategies: the production of -lactam-hydrolyzing lactamase enzymes, the utilization of lactam-insensitive cell wall transpeptidases, and the active expulsion of -lactam molecules from Gramnegative cells by way of efflux pumps (Wilke et al., 2005). -lactamases is the most prevalent mechanism of bacterial resistance to the -lactam family of ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 3 Number 2 (2014) pp. 527-535 http://www.ijcmas. com
Genetic diversity study of Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis Makino based on ISSR markers

Abstract Twenty ISSR markers were used to amplify the genome of Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis Makino (Pak-choi). A total of 173 scorable alleles have been detected among 68 B. campestris genotypes, and the polymorphic alleles was 84.21%. Average diversity index (I) was 0.4284, and the mean number of the per locus of effective alleles was 1.4796. Moreover, the mean value of the Nei’s gene diversity (He) was 0.2883. The results revealed a higher genetic diversity in B. campestris from China than that from Japan and Thailand. The dendrogram divided the 68 B. campestris accessions into four groups. The dendrogram clustered the accessions of similar morphology together, and it indicated that the samples from the same geographical region were much closer than those from different regions. Meanwhile, the dendrogram also revealed that male sterile lines and their maintainer lines clustered together.
A Tale of Two Sectors: Why is Misallocation Higher in Services than in Manufacturing?

Recent empirical studies document that the level of resource misallocation in the service sector is significantly higher than in the manufacturing sector. We quantify the importance of this difference and study its sources. Conservative estimates for Portugal (2008) show that closing this gap, by reducing misallocation in the service sector to manufacturing levels, would boost aggregate gross output by around 12 percent and aggregate value added by around 31 percent. Differences in the effect and size of productivity shocks explain most of the gap in misallocation between manufacturing and services, while the remainder is explained by differences in firm productivity and age distribution. We interpret these results as stemming mainly from higher output price rigidity, greater labor adjustment costs and more informality in the service sector.
Transcriptomic analysis provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of epigallocatechin-3-gallate to attenuate schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis in mice

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) was shown to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-infection, and anti-fibrotic effects. Our previous study showed EGCG could attenuate Schistosoma japonicum hepatic fibrosis, however, its underlying molecular mechanisms are still elusive. In this work, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and bioinformatics analyses were used to detect the gene expression alterations in S. japonicum hepatic fibrosis mouse model following EGCG treatment. Our results showed 106 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were upregulated in EGCG_LF_vs_Mod_LF (EGCG treatment group relative to S. japonicum infected model group) and downregulated in Mod_LF_vs_Nor_LF (model group relative to normal group), and they are enriched in cytochrome and metabolic genes involving in the metabolism pathways, implying EGCG could improve the S. japonicum egg induced hepatic injury and recover the metabolic functions of the liver. The 410 common DEGs, downregulated in EGCG_LF_vs_Mod_LF and upregulated in Mod_LF_vs_Nor_LF, are associated primarily with inflammation and immunology. Among them, proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines to activate the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), profibrotic genes, and extracellular matrix (ECM) production and accumulation genes, together with part components of TLR2 and NF-κB signaling pathways, were upregulated in Mod_LF_vs_Nor_LF and downregulated in EGCG_LF_vs_Mod_LF. These results indicate that EGCG treatment could ameliorate S. japonicum egg induced hepatic fibrosis progression via inhibiting the HSCs activation and reducing ECM production and accumulation, which may in part result from suppressing the TLR2 and NF-κB signaling pathways. Our results reveal the molecular mechanisms of EGCG to be used as a potential drug to regress S. japonicum egg induced hepatic fibrosis. © 2018 Friends Science Publishers
Mortality within the First 24 Hours of Admission among Neonates aged Less than 24 Hours in a Special Care Baby Unit (SBCU) in Nigeria: The Role of Significant Hypothermia and Hypoglycemia

Background: Neonatal deaths mostly occur within the first week or the first 24 hours of life due to a variety of conditions. This study aimed to examine the role of significant hypothermia and hypoglycemia, in addition to a few other factors leading to neonatal mortality within the first 24 hours of admission. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on neonates hospitalized within the first 24 hours of life in a Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) in Nigeria. The axillary temperature and serum glucose were consecutively recorded at admission. Through bivariate and multivariate analyses, hypothermia (axillary temperature < 36 °C) and hypoglycemia (random blood glucose < 40 mg/dL) were found to be associated with the risk of mortality within the first 24 hours of admission in neonates. Results: Out of 277 neonates, 24.2% and 27.3% had significant hypothermia and hypoglycemia, respectively. The overall mortality rate was 21.6% (49/227) while 38.8% (19/49) of the deaths occurred within the first 24 hours of admission. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) was 41.2% among the neonates with co-existing significant hypothermia and hypoglycemia and 0.9% among neonates with neither of the conditions. Mortality within the first 24 hours of admission was significantly associated with hypoglycemia, significant hypothermia, asphyxia, and apnea, according to bivariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusion: Mortality within the first 24 hours of admission among the neonates admitted within the first 24 hours of life accounts for almost 40% of all neonatal deaths. In the present study, significant hypothermia and hypoglycemia were considered as the major independent contributors.
Ways of farming and ways of thinking: do farmers' mental models of the landscape relate to their land management practices ?

The efficiency of the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy in mitigating the negative effects of agricultural intensification on the landscape and biodiversity is increasingly being questioned. Enhancing a reciprocal understanding of various stakeholders’ mental models of agro-social-ecosystems has been proposed to trigger changes in both policy design and farmers’ behaviors. However, the relationship between farmers’ mental models and practices is rarely considered. Here, we explore the relationship between farmers’ individual mental models (IMMs) of the agricultural landscape and their land management practices. To do so, we developed a theoretical and methodological framework grounded in cognitive psychology and farming system research for eliciting and comparing IMMs and land management practices. We applied this framework in the Coteaux de Gascogne territory, a hilly crop-livestock region in southern France. We identified groups of farmers according to their cropland and semi-natural habitat management practices. The results of our quantitative and qualitative comparisons of mental models between farmer groups showed that the way of farming partly relates to farmers’ ways of thinking about the landscape and highlighted the heterogeneity of IMMs between and within farmer groups. We found evidence that path-dependent factors that constrain farmers’ practices can modify their mental models, e.g., the role of agricultural machinery. Our study illustrates how an interdisciplinary framework coupling mental models and farming systems approaches provides an opportunity to enhance our understanding of the relationships between farmers’ world views and their practices. Moreover, our results challenge current ways of thinking and designing biodiversity conservation policies in farmed landscapes.
The effects of cytokinin types and their concentration on in vitro multiplication of sweet cherry cv. Lapins (Prunus avium L.)

Determination of the most optimal types and concentrations of plant growth regulators as medium constituents is one of the most important aspects of successful micropropagation, among other in vitro factors. With the aim of optimization of in vitro multiplication of sweet cherry cv. Lapins the effect of following cytokinins has been studied: benzyladenine (BA), isopentenyl adenine (2iP), kinetin (KIN) and thidiazuron (TDZ) at concentrations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 15μM, combined with auxine, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 2.5 and 5μM. Murashige and Skoog (1962) was the basic medium used in all the combinations. The following multiplication parameters were monitored: multiplication index, length of axial and lateral shoots. Fresh and dry shoot weight (callus, stem and leaves – S + L) were determined. Some specific issues, such as colour, leaf and callus size, leaf roll, incidence of chlorosis or necrosis along with occurrence of rhizogenesis, i.e. roots unusual for this phase of micropropagation, were also monitored. The highest multiplication index as well as length of axial and lateral shoots was obtained on media with BA. Very poor multiplication, with large sized shoots and big leaves, was achieved on media with 2iP, TDZ and KIN, whereas in many combinations with 2iP, and particularly in those with KIN, rhizogenesis was induced. Obtained results suggest that the choice of cytokinins for the phase of multiplication of sweet cherry is limited to BA. For more rapid micropropagation, through joining rooting and multiplication phases, KIN and 2iP may be applied. The latter two may be also used to obtain sturdy shoots (elongation phase, prior to rooting).
Behavior of Cell in Uniform Shear Flow Field between Rotating Cone and Stationary Plate

The behavior of biological cell in the uniform shear flow between the rotating cone and the stationary plate has been observed in vitro. The cone and plate device is mounted on the stage of an inverted phase contrast microscope to observe cells adhered on the plate under the shear flow. The deformation and the migration of cells during exposure to the shear flow for 24 hours were traced at the time lapse images. Two kinds of cells were used in the test: C2C12 (mouse myoblast cell line), and HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cells). The experimental results show that HUVEC tends to migrate to the downstream at the shear stress of 1 Pa. C2C12 tends to tilt to the perpendicular direction of the flow for 18 hours between 1 Pa and 2 Pa. HUVEC tends to be rounded at the shear stress of 2 Pa. The behavior of each isolated cell in the shear flow field has been able to be observed quantitatively by the cone and plate device in vitro.
Relatedness, Industrial Branching and Technological Cohesion in US Metropolitan Areas

Essletzbichler J. Relatedness, industrial branching and technological cohesion in US metropolitan areas, Regional Studies. Work by evolutionary economic geographers on the role of industry relatedness for regional economic development is extended into a number of methodological and empirical directions. First, relatedness is measured as the intensity of input–output linkages between industries. Second, this measure is employed to examine industry evolution in 360 US metropolitan areas. Third, an employment-weighted measure of metropolitan technological cohesion is developed. The results confirm that technological relatedness is positively related to metropolitan industry portfolio membership and industry entry and negatively related to industry exit. The decomposition of technological cohesion indicates that the selection of related incumbent industries complements industry entry and exit as the main drivers of change in metropolitan technological cohesion.
Modelling the impact of small‐scale heterogeneities on tree—grass coexistence in semi‐arid savannas

Savanna ecosystems show codominance of trees and grasses, and the mechanisms involved in their coexistence remain unresolved. We investigated the possible influence of small‐scale heterogeneities and disturbances in determining tree spacing and tree‐grass coexistence in semi‐arid savannas, using a spatially explicit, grid‐based simulation model. We added factors such as seed clumping, locally improved moisture conditions, vegetation clearing and combinations of all three of these variables to a previously published model. We also examined the influence of changing the size and spatiotemporal correlation among individual heterogeneities. Increased seed availability in localized clumps, especially in combination with the other heterogeneity types, had the strongest impact on the long‐term tree‐grass coexistence in the model. Localized deposition of tree seeds in herbivore dung and underground seed caches built by seed‐collecting rodents may act as a determinant of the distribution of trees in savannas. Spatially autocorrelated small‐scale heterogeneities led to a more stable coexistence of trees and grasses than uncorrelated heterogeneities did, and at high levels of autocorrelation runs with all three variables led to long‐term coexistence in up to 60% of the rainfall scenarios tested. The size of individual heterogeneities, also played a significant role in determining whether trees would establish as lone individuals or in clumps. In simulations that included small‐scale heterogeneities, the number of isolated trees scattered throughout the landscape increased, whereas large heterogeneity patches and high spatiotemporal autocorrelation tended to promote tree clustering. Simulations based on rainfall data from the southern Kalahari produced a realistic density and spatial distribution for trees in this semi‐arid savanna for a realistic range of small‐scale heterogeneities. Small‐scale disturbances and heterogeneities, at least those that furnish better establishment conditions for tree seedlings, therefore act to increase the range of environmental conditions under which trees and grasses can coexist as savanna.
Mean platelet volume in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease(CD) are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that affect different regions of gastrointestinal tract [1]. Genetic, environmental and immunological factors are associated with the pathogenesis of both cases. The assessment of IBD is based on a clinical symptoms, physical examination, laboratory tests, radiology and endoscopy with histology. The clear distinction between the two diseases is established by only histopathologic examination [2]. However, pathologic evaluation of the disease activity may not be correlated with clinical and endoscopic findings.
Inflation and Output Comovement in the Euro Area: Love at Second Sight?

This paper discusses comovement between inflation and output in the euro area. The strength of the comovement may not be apparent at first sight, but is clear at business cycle frequencies. Our results suggest that at business cycle frequency, the output and core inflation comovement is high and stable, and that inflation lags the cycle in output with roughly half of its variance. The strong relationship of output and inflation hints at the importance of demand shocks for the euro area business cycle.
Control Transfers in Corporate Germany: Their Frequency, Causes, and Consequences

This study examines changes in block ownership for a large sample of listed and non-listed German firms. The frequency of block trading is similar to other countries, and the vast majority of block trades leads to changes in ultimate ownership (control transfers). Such changes are more likely for firms with high leverage, while they are less likely for larger firms and firms with high ownership concentration. Only for listed firms poor performance is related to more frequent control transfers. Control transfers are followed by increased management turnover, and for listed firms also by asset divestitures and employee layoffs.
Effects of Quartz Powder on the Microstructure and Key Properties of Cement Paste

This paper compares the effects of the water-to-binder (w/b) ratio and quartz contents on the properties of cement–quartz paste. The w/b ratios of the paste mixtures specimens are 0.5 and 0.2, and the quartz powder contents are 0, 10, and 20%. At the age of 1, 3, 7, and 28 days, compressive strength test, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), isothermal calorimetry, and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis were performed. The experimental results show that the quartz powder mainly has the dilution effect and crystal nucleation effect on cement hydration, and the addition of quartz powder does not change the type of hydration product. The effect of quartz powder on cement hydration is closely related to the w/b ratio. In the case of a low w/b ratio of 0.2, the addition of quartz powder did not impair the compressive strength of paste. For different w/b ratios (0.5 and 0.2) and various quartz powder contents (0, 10, and 20%) at different ages (1, 3, 7, and 28 days), there is a uniform linear relationship between strength and porosity. Similarly, there is a uniform linear relationship between chemically bound water and calcium hydroxide, between heat of hydration and compressive strength, and between chemically bound water and compressive strength. At the same time, the effect of the partial replacement of cement by quartz powder on sustainability is considered in this paper.
Evoked Electric Responses of the Muscle in Myasthenia Gravis Diagnostics

Analysis of the M-responses parameters of the muscles by means of indirect maximal stimulation with different frequencies is a very important method for diagnostic of Myasthenia gravis (MG). As an indicator of degree of neuromuscular transmission damage, a difference expressed in percents (decrement) between the firstand fifth M-responses was used. To define the dynamic of the release of a neurotransmitter and its interaction with acetylcholine receptor of the postsynaptic membrane in 265 MG patients with 3 imp/sec stimulation in a series of five responses’, we have determined the decrement (%) of the size of every following M-responses amplitude in correlation with amplitude of M-response of the previous. 265 MG patients were investigated, out of which 148 (55.9%) were female and 117 (44.1%) were male aged from 10 to 75. MG was diagnosed according to clinical and electromyographic (EMG) data, the level of antibodies against Acetylcholine receptors (AChR), Titin and MuSK, and results of pharmacologic tests. CT of chest was done to reveal pathology of the thymus. The most significant decrement of the M-responses at 3 imp/sec stimulation in a series of five responses was found between the secondand the first M-responses and between the thirdand second responses. These data correlate with classically evaluated decrements between the firstand the fifth responses (r=0.64; p<0.001). The difference between the fifthand the fourth M-responses was minimal. Thus, during the stimulation, the efficiency of released neurotransmitter interaction with receptors gradually decreases until the third impulse, when the physiologic decrement of neurotransmitter release takes place but from the fourth impulse mobilization of neurotransmitter begins. It is characterized for Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) that as a response to the fourth and fifth stimulus, M-response amplitudes (area) continue to decrease compared with the thirdand the fourth M-responses, while this difference is minimal in MG, and all these indicate to the differences in character between the neurotransmitter release and its interaction with AChR of postsynaptic membrane in different synaptic diseases, and this will facilitate to determine the character of the synaptic damage.
Ambiguity and Social Interaction

We present a non-technical account of ambiguity in strategic games and show how it may be applied to economics and social sciences. Optimistic and pessimistic responses to ambiguity are formally modelled. We show that pessimism has the effect of increasing (decreasing) equilibrium prices under Cournot (Bertrand) competition. In addition the effects of ambiguity on peace-making are examined. It is shown that ambiguity may select equilibria in coordination games with multiple equilibria. Some comparative statics results are derived for the impact of ambiguity in games with strategic complements.
Role of Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) In Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis

The diagnosis of acute appendicitis still remains an enigma for the surgeon. The Mean Platelet volume is known to be a marker determined from megakaryocytes during platelet production, which is associated with platelet function and activation.The mean platelet volume (MPV) decreases in acute inflammatory conditions like acute appendicitis due to increased consumption and sequestration of platelets in the vascular segments of inflamed bowel. In our study of 213 patients, the MPV was determined and was found to be low ( < 7.6fL) in 176 patients ( 82.6%) out of which 175 patients were having features of acute appendicitis on histopathology. Therefore in a patient with a provisional diagnosis of acute appendicitis, a low MPV (<7.6fL) can be taken into consideration along with total leucocyte count with suspected acute appendicitis.