Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Export, Economic Integration and Exchange Rate Volatility in Turkey and Malaysia

Using annual data (1970-2004), this study re-examined the hypothesis that exchange rate volatility may dampen export demand in Malaysia and Turkey. In particular, this study attempts to investigate the impact of exchange rate volatility on exports after taking into consideration the presence of regional economic integration. In addition, the role of regional economic integration in promoting export is also of concern to this study. The empirical evidence demonstrates that despite the significant, minimal impact of membership to regional economic integration for both economies, regional integration remains an important and valid approach for future economic development for both economies. Meanwhile, similar to the findings of previous studies the impact of exchange rate volatility on exports is consistently negative. However, it is no longer significant in the case of Turkey.
The Impact of Interaction between Timing of Feedback Provision in Distance E-Learning and Learning Styles on achieving Learning Outcomes among Arab Open University Students

The present study aims to identify the impact of interaction between timing of providing feedback and technologies delivered in E-Learning environments (Immediate – Delayed) & interaction with learning style (Active – Reflective) on developing the design and production skills of educational e-blogging; and satisfaction with e-learning environment. The sample consisted of (67) students from the Arab Open University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dammam Branch. The participants were divided into four experimental groups according to the design Factorial (2 × 2): Group 1: (19) students with active learning style provided with immediate feedback; Group 2: (17) students with active learning style provided with delayed feedback; Group 3: (15) reflective students provided with immediate feedback; Group 4: (16) reflective students provided with delayed feedback. The tools include observation card, satisfaction scale with e-learning environment and learning style scale. The results showed statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the experimental groups, which received immediate feedback in acquiring the design and production skills of blogging and satisfaction with e-learning environment. The results also showed that students with active learning style were superior in their performance on each of the performance practical skills for the design and production of blogs and satisfaction with e-learning environment.
Target practice: Monetary policy implementation in a post-crisis environment

Traditionally, the Federal Reserve targeted the federal funds rate, expecting this rate to transmit a monetary policy stance to other short-term and longer-term rates. However, at the height of thenancial crisis, the pass-through from the federal funds rate to other short-term rates deteriorated. Furthermore, market participants reportedly anticipate that the inception of liquidity requirements might weaken the federal funds market and therefore its linkages with other money markets. At the same time, however, most anticipate that high quality collateral repo markets should remain active. We argue that, in principle, instead of the federal funds rate, the Federal Reserve can target the Treasury General Collateral repurchase agreement rate, and explore the Federal Reserve's capacity to do so empirically. Our results suggest that a target repo rate might be an alternative policy tool to the target federal funds rate in the post-crisis environment.
Viral and Bacterial Coinfection in Patients with Neurological Disorders: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study from Karachi

To study the existence of coinfection of the meninges caused by Neisseria meningitidis, Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and Herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) in the CSF of patients admitted with neurological disorders. 92 CSF samples collected from patients having neurological ailments were subjected to the microbiological analysis for the detection of possible bacterial etiology. In order to screen the viral coinfection, DNA was extracted from the samples found positive for bacterial presence. Extracted DNA was amplified for the presence of glycoprotein G gene of HSV-1 and HSV-2. Of the 92 samples, 20 samples (21.7%) found infected with Neisseria meningitidis (Nm). PCR results highlighted that of this 20, 8 samples (40%) were found coinfected with both HSV-1 and HSV-2 in addition to the Nm. Whereas, 12 samples (60%) were found negative for the viral etiology. Moreover, out of 8 samples showed viral and bacterial conifection, 5 (62.5%) were from female patients. Whereas 3 (37.5%) were from male patients. Findings from present study provide a considerable evidence of existence of bacterial and viral i.e. Nm and HSVs coinfection in CSF of the patients with neurological disorders. Nonetheless, use of microbiological and molecular testing methods in medical diagnostic laboratories and hospitals are pivotal to differentiate between bacterial and viral meningitis and even detect coinfection of both etiologies.
Timing of renal replacement therapy does not influence survival and growth in children with congenital nephrotic syndrome caused by mutations in NPHS 1

Background Congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) of the Finnish type, NPHS1, is the most severe form of CNS. Outcomes of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in NPHS1 patients in Europe were analysed using data from the ESPN/ERAEDTARegistry. As NPHS1 is most prevalent in Finland and the therapeutic approach differs from that in many other countries, we compared outcomes in Finnish and other European patients. Methods NPHS1 mutations were confirmed in 170 children with CNSwho initiated RRT (dialysis or renal transplantation) between 1991 and 2012. Finnish (n = 66) and non-Finnish NPHS1 patients (n = 104) were compared with respect to treatment policy, age at first RRT and renal transplantation (RTX), patient and graft survival, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and growth. Age-matched patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) served as controls. Results Finnish NPHS1 patients were significantly younger than non-Finnish patients, both at the start of RRT and at the time of RTX. We found similar overall 5year patient survival on RRT (91 %) and graft survival (89 %) in both NPHS1 groups and CAKUT controls. At the start of RRT, height standard deviation score (SDS) was higher in Finnish patients than in non-Finnish patients (mean [95 % CI]: −1.31 [−2.13 to −0.49] and −3.0 [−4.22 to −1.91], p < 0.01 respectively), but not at 5 years of age. At 5 years of age height and body mass index (BMI) SDS were similar to those of CAKUT controls. Conclusions Overall, 5-year patient and graft survival of both Finnish and non-Finnish NPHS1 patients on RRT were excellent and comparable with CAKUT patients with equally early RRT onset and was independent of the timing of RRT initiation and RTX. Tuula Hölttä, Marjolein Bonthuis, Franz Schaefer and Jaap W. Groothoff contributed equally to this work * Marjolein Bonthuis m.bonthuis@amc.uva. nl 1 Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Children’s Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland 2 ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry, Department of Medical Informatics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands 3 Department of Pediatrics, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway 4 Department of Nephrology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey 5 Nephrogenetics Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey 6 Department of Pediatrics, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France 7 Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany 8 Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Emma Children’s Hospital AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Pediatr Nephrol (2016) 31:2317–2325 DOI 10.1007/s00467-016-3517-z
Hygroscopic growth study in the framework of EARLINET during the SLOPE I campaign: synergy of remote sensing and in situ instrumentation

Abstract. This study focuses on the analysis of aerosol hygroscopic growth during the Sierra Nevada Lidar AerOsol Profiling Experiment (SLOPE I) campaign by using the synergy of active and passive remote sensors at the ACTRIS Granada station and in situ instrumentation at a mountain station (Sierra Nevada, SNS). To this end, a methodology based on simultaneous measurements of aerosol profiles from an EARLINET multi-wavelength Raman lidar (RL) and relative humidity (RH) profiles obtained from a multi-instrumental approach is used. This approach is based on the combination of calibrated water vapor mixing ratio ( r ) profiles from RL and continuous temperature profiles from a microwave radiometer (MWR) for obtaining RH profiles with a reasonable vertical and temporal resolution. This methodology is validated against the traditional one that uses RH from co-located radiosounding (RS) measurements, obtaining differences in the hygroscopic growth parameter ( γ ) lower than 5 % between the methodology based on RS and the one presented here. Additionally, during the SLOPE I campaign the remote sensing methodology used for aerosol hygroscopic growth studies has been checked against Mie calculations of aerosol hygroscopic growth using in situ measurements of particle number size distribution and submicron chemical composition measured at SNS. The hygroscopic case observed during SLOPE I showed an increase in the particle backscatter coefficient at 355 and 532 nm with relative humidity (RH ranged between 78 and 98 %), but also a decrease in the backscatter-related Angstrom exponent (AE) and particle linear depolarization ratio (PLDR), indicating that the particles became larger and more spherical due to hygroscopic processes. Vertical and horizontal wind analysis is performed by means of a co-located Doppler lidar system, in order to evaluate the horizontal and vertical dynamics of the air masses. Finally, the Hanel parameterization is applied to experimental data for both stations, and we found good agreement on γ measured with remote sensing ( γ 532 = 0.48 ± 0.01 and γ 355 = 0.40 ± 0.01 ) with respect to the values calculated using Mie theory ( γ 532 = 0.53 ± 0.02 and γ 355 = 0.45 ± 0.02 ), with relative differences between measurements and simulations lower than 9 % at 532 nm and 11 % at 355 nm.
The Link between Transformational Leadership Traits and Corporate Culture Types: The Prerequisites for Sustainable Performance in Public and Private Sectors Organizations

This study has investigated the link between transformational leadership styles, corporate organizational culture types and performance in four public sector organizations. The objective of this research was to examine the effect of individual leadership traits, and culture types on performance in public organizations there by validating the arguments made by scholars and practitioners that organizational performance is more evident in private sector corporations. The behavior elements examined in this study were idealized influence behavior, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration, idealized influence and effectiveness. The cultural variables used were clan culture, adhocracy culture, market culture, and hierarchal culture. This study utilized a survey designed and implemented a quantitative methodology. The analysis used primary data produced by the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) to administer on 200 respondents from four of the largest public sector organizations in the United State Virgin Islands to examine the relationship of transformational leadership, organizational performance and corporate organizational culture. The responses were scaled and coded to enable the segmentation of the data into dependent and independent variables based on the leadership, performance and culture variables. The study utilized the multiple regression models and correlation statistical analyses to determine the degree of commonality among the components. The study concluded that transformational leadership and corporate organizational culture have positive effects on facilitating performance and is best suited in managing change and innovation in mature public and private sector organizations.
Generalizability of an Ocular-Motor Test for Deception to a Mexican Population

We developed an ocular-motor deception test (ODT) that classifies people as truthful or deceptive based on eye movements and pupillary responses while participants read and respond to true/false statements concerning their possible involvement in illicit activities. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the effects of deception on ocular-motor measures generalize to native Spanish speakers in Mexico. One hundred and forty-seven students at a large university in Mexico participated in a mock crime experiment; 83 were guilty of taking $200 pesos from a secretary’s purse, and 64 were innocent. On cross-validation, accuracy of classifications based on behavioral and ocular-motor measures exceeded 80% for both truthful and deceptive participants in Mexican and U.S. samples.
Various Culture Media Effect on T4 Phage Lysis and Production

Studies on bacteriophage growth and its development played a vital role in the history of molecular biology which in turn helped in clarification of many points. Most of the previous studies on bacteriophage development and growth have been performed under optimal conditions for the host cell. While On the other hand these conditions may not be optimal for the T4 bacteriophage. As a matter of fact in nature E. coli faces many unfavorable growth conditions, good example are those conditions prevailing in the human gut in which E.coli manages to survive well. This study characterizes the effects and influences of well-defined physiological conditions on T4 bacteriophage growth and development. In addition to this, T4 bacteriophage interactions with its bacterial host have also been demonstrated.In our present study we observed that the maximum growth and lysis of T4 bacteriophage was on luria-bertani (LB) and nutrient media (NM). Moreover the T4 bacteriophage production and lysis was also good in luria-bertani plus glucose (LB+G) media but when compared with its production in luria-bertani (LB) and nutrient media it was found to be less than these medium. Our study results also showed that in minimal media (MM) rate of growth and lysis activity of T4 bacteriophage was lowest as compared to other mentioned medium.
A database of world stocks of infrastructure for 1950-95

This article describes an annual database of physical infrastructure stocks for a cross section of 152 countries for 1950-95. The database includes estimates of six measures of infrastructure: the number of telephones, the number of telephone main lines, kilowatts of electricity-generating capacity, kilometers of total roads, kilometers of paved roads, and kilometers of railway lines. Both raw and manipulated data sets, in which series have been linked to overcome changes in definition and coverage, are reported. Some measures of infrastructure quality, such as the percentage of roads in poor condition, the percentage of local telephone calls that do not go through, the percentage of diesel locomotives available for use, and the percentage of electricity lost from the distribution system, are included. The data on all series except total roads are of reasonably good quality and should prove useful to researchers. The article also presents regression results relating stocks of infrastructure to population, per capita gross domestic product, land area, and level of urbanization. It shows that stocks of telephones, electricity-generating capacity, and paved roads tend to increase proportionately with population and more than proportionately with per capita gross domestic product. Both the length of total roads and the length of total rail lines rise with country size and are relatively insensitive to population and income.
Commitment to the Green Movement by Organizations and Individuals, Impacts of Organizational Culture, and Perceptions of Impacts Upon Outcomes

In this research, we find support for a proposed set of linkages among individual and organizational green orientation, organizational culture, employee perceptions of organizational green orientation, Quality Management (QM) Maturity, and outcomes, in terms of positive impacts of the green movement and organizational performance. Specifically, we find that in organizations which are oriented toward the green movement and which have organizational cultures which are supportive of the green movement, employees who believe that their organizations are aligned with the green movement are more likely to also see the organization as higher in QM Maturity. In turn, outcomes in terms of overall performance and positive impact of the green movement will also be higher.
Insights into rifting from shear wave splitting and receiver functions: an example from Ethiopia

SUMMARY Seismic anisotropy beneath broad-band stations in the vicinity of the East African rift are compared with those on stable cratonic parts of Africa and Arabia. Such measurements offer potential constraints on rift processes, absolute plate motions (APM) and tectonic structure. New SKS shear wave splitting parameters are analysed beneath the broad-band stations of FURI and AAE (Ethiopia), BGCA (Central African Republic) and RAYN (Saudi Arabia). The number of events considered at the four stations varies from 13 to 32 and provides good azimuthal coverage. Stations on or near the rift show the polarization of the fast shear wave (φ) aligned parallel to the rift axis. The magnitude of the splitting delay (δt) increases northward along the East African rift. Previously published measurements in Kenya show the smallest splitting value (1.0 s), whilst the Djibouti station, ATD, shows the largest splitting (1.6 s). The Ethiopian results (δt = 1.38 + 0.03 s, φ = 36 ◦ + 1) show constancy in δt and φ with respect to backazimuth, thus, suggesting a single anisotropic layer beneath the stations. There is no observed correlation of φ with APM direction. Less splitting (δt) is observed beneath cratonic parts of Africa. BGCA in central Africa shows splitting parallel to the inferred direction of transpression, not the APM direction. Receiver-function analysis at FURI and AAE supports evidence from refraction experiments of thick crust (ca 40 km) in the region of continental rifting, however, the analysis shows a deeper interface at a depth of 90 km, also. This interface may mark the base of the lithosphere in this region. One interpretation of the splitting results is that the anisotropy at the Ethiopian stations is the result of aligned melt in this upper 90 km of lithosphere. A < 1 per cent volume fraction of melt aligned in thin (aspect-ratio <0.03) vertical ellipsoidal pockets generates sufficient splitting to explain the data. Higher splitting magnitudes in the north correlates with higher melt production observed in the Ethiopian part of the rift. Alternatively, anisotropy may be the result of the alignment of olivine in the asthenosphere parallel to the ridge axis, as material flows laterally to fill the gap caused by lithospheric extension. This would either suggest a northward-thickening anisotropic layer beneath the rift or enhanced olivine alignment as a result of changes in strain. Whatever the mechanism, it appears that the anisotropy is sensitive to, and provides insight into, the transition from continental to oceanic rifting in the northern Ethiopian rift.
Effect of Magnetic Field on Peroxidase Activities of Soybean Tissue Culture

ABSTRACT In this study, the aim was to determine the effect of magnetic field on peroxidase activities of soybean tissue culture. Shoot tips were put into petri dishes and exposed to a magnetic field for a period of 2.2 and 19.8 s at a magnetic flux of 2.9–4.6 mT. The shoot and root formation rate, fresh weights, chlorophyll quantities, total RNA concentrations and peroxidase activities of regenerated shoots from control and treated shoot tips were determined. While the rate of shoot formation was 28.57% in the control group, this rate was increased to 94.33% and 78.18%, respectively, in the explants that were exposed to a magnetic field for a period of 2.2 and 19.8 s. While the percentage of root formation in controls was 4.76%, this rate increased to 47.17% and 54.54%, respectively, in those that were exposed to a magnetic field at the same periods. When the fresh weights were determined, we found that the fresh weights of plantlets regenerated from treated explants were increased relative to controls. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents increased 21%, 13% and 18%, respectively, relative to control groups at 2.2 s. Peroxidase activity significantly increased in all magnetic field treatments (p<0.05). The total RNA concentration of seedlings regenerated from treatment explants significantly increased relative to controls (p<0.05). The regeneration and plant growth of shoot tips exposed to a magnetic field with a 2.2 s period were positively affected by the MF and increased with respect to controls and the length of time exposed.
On the physical mechanisms governing the cloud lifecycle in the Central Molecular Zone of the Milky Way

We apply an analytic theory for environmentally-dependent molecular cloud lifetimes to the Central Molecular Zone of the Milky Way. Within this theory, the cloud lifetime in the Galactic centre is obtained by combining the time-scales for gravitational instability, galactic shear, epicyclic perturbations and cloud-cloud collisions. We find that at galactocentric radii ∼45-120 pc, corresponding to the location of the ‘100-pc stream’, cloud evolution is primarily dominated by gravitational collapse, with median cloud lifetimes between 1.4 and 3.9 Myr. At all other galactocentric radii, galactic shear dominates the cloud lifecycle, and we predict that molecular clouds are dispersed on time-scales between 3 and 9 Myr, without a significant degree of star formation. Along the outer edge of the 100-pc stream, between radii of 100 and 120 pc, the time-scales for epicyclic perturbations and gravitational free-fall are similar. This similarity of time-scales lends support to the hypothesis that, depending on the orbital geometry and timing of the orbital phase, cloud collapse and star formation in the 100-pc stream may be triggered by a tidal compression at pericentre. Based on the derived time-scales, this should happen in approximately 20 per cent of all accretion events onto the 100-pc stream.