Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Co-production of thermostable, calcium-independent α-amylase and alkali-metallo protease from newly isolated Bacillus licheniformis DV3.

Extracellular thermostable￻α -amylase and protease from one fermentation of a newly isolated thermophilic Bacillus licheniformis DV3 was studied. The optimum pH and temperature for the enzyme activity were 7.0 and 70°C for the￻α￻- amylase, while it was 10.0 and 50°C, respectively for the protease activity. Different carbon and nitrogen sources were investigated for the first time in terms of their effect on the co-production of extracellular thermostable￻α - amylase and protease. Among carbon and nitrogen sources, soluble starch and urea increased both α-amylase and protease production to a great extend. The α-amylase activity was enhanced in the presence of Mn 2+ , inhibition was obtained in the presence of Ca 2+ and Cu 2 , and it was strongly inhibited by Hg 2+ . The protease activity was increase in the presence of Ca 2+ and Zn 2+ , whereas the activity was decreased by Mn 2+ and Hg 2+ , and the activity inhibited by EDTA and PMSF.
Wages, experience and seniority

In this paper we study the sources of wage growth. We identify the contribution to such growth of general, sector specific and firm specific human capital. Our results are interpretable within the context of a model where the returns to human capital may be heterogeneous and where firms may offer different combinations of entry level wages and firm specific human capital development. We allow for the possibility that wages are match specific and that workers move jobs as a result of identifying a better match. To estimate the average returns to experience, sector tenure and firm specific tenure within this context, we develop an identification strategy which relies on the use of firm closures. Our data source is a new and unique administrative data-set for Germany that includes complete work histories as well as individual characteristics. We find positive returns to experience and firm tenure for skilled workers. The returns to experience for unskilled workers are small and insignificant after 2 years of experience. Their returns to sector tenure are also zero. However, their returns to firm tenure are substantial. In this paper we study the growth of wages of young workers in Germany. Knowing the extent and reasons for individual wage growth over the life cycle is important for a number of areas in Economics. Just to mention two examples: first, it is a key element to understanding and designing active labour market programmes. Many such programmes offer temporary (and often subsidized) work opportunities. Examples are the New Deal in the U.K. and the Swedish programmes as well as a number of programmes in Germany. These programmes are based on the assumption that general skills are sufficiently enhanced while working, so as to render the workers employable without a wage subsidy. Thus the success of these programmes depends on how skills improve on the job for the target population, and whether this skill enhancement is transferable across jobs. Second, it is a key to understanding the benefits and costs of job mobility. This in turn matters for a number of policy issues, including the design of pension policies, relating for example to final salary schemes. As a result of this widespread interest, a large body of empirical research has focused on obtaining estimates for the returns of experience and seniority. 1 Our study uses a new and unique administrative data-set with a number of features that are important for our analysis and allow us to avoid many problems encountered in earlier work in this field. In our model wages grow due to learning by doing, which may be heterogeneous across individuals. Moreover, since firms offer different career profiles and because we allow for match specific effects on wages, investments take the form of searching for the firm with the most desirable learning by doing characteristics (career structure). 2
Does Multiple Leadership Styles Mediated by Job Satisfaction Influence Better Business Performance? Perception of MNC Employees in Malaysia

One of the biggest challenges facing leaders today is the need to develop new business models that stress on effective leadership styles, employee job satisfaction and sustainability without sacrificing the financial and non-financial performance. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between leadership styles and business performance of multinational companies operating in Malaysia mediated by job satisfaction. A quantitative study, using self-administered structured questionnaire, are issued using purposive sampling via direct distribution to 150 employees working in MNC. Analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Partial Least Square (PLS) indicated that spiritual leadership style has the highest significant influence on job satisfaction, followed by authentic leadership style, transformational leadership style, and transactional leadership style. In addition, job satisfaction has a mediating effect on the relationship between each of the leadership styles, namely, transactional, transformational, authentic, and spiritual on business performance.
Differentiating Normal Cognitive Aging from Cognitive Impairment No Dementia: A Focus on Constructive and Visuospatial Abilities

Constructive and visuospatial abilities in normal and in pathological aging (cognitive impairment, no dementia, CIND) are investigated. The sample includes 188 participants over 60 years of age, divided in 2 groups: healthy subjects (MMSE ≥28), without cogni - tive complaints, and individuals with CIND (MMSE between 24 and 27 and subjective cognitive complains). Drawing of cube and drawing of house, Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), and Block design are used to test the hypothesis that short visuoconstruc tive and visuospatial tests can distinguish normal from pathological cognitive aging in its very early stages. Results proved the discriminative sensitivity of BVRT general assess ment criteria and of omissions and distortions in CIND. The diagnostic sensitivity of a modification of Moore and Wike [1984] scoring system for house and cube drawing tasks was confirmed as well. Drawing of cube and house could be used for quick screening of CIND in subjects over 60. Principal component analysis with oblimin rotation was performed to explore the different dimensions in the visuospatial and visuoconstructive abilities in old age. A four-factor structure was established, all four factors explaining 71% of the variance. can be used to distinguish normal from pathological cognitive aging in its very early stages if appropriate, accurate, and valid criteria are applied. We use drawing of cube and drawing of house, together with other traditionally used and well-proven neuropsychologi cal instruments—Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) and Block design—assessing visual memory, perception, constructional, and spatial abilities.
The knowledge of general practitioners about chiropractic as a factor that may influence health care integration in South Africa

Several studies in Europe, Canada and the USA indicate that communication between GP’s and chiropractors is not ideal. Langworthy and Birkelid’s (2001) study concluded that with increasing emphasis on multidisciplinary health care, greater understanding and better communication is needed in order for the patient to obtain optimum benefits. The medical profession in the past has generally been opposed to the theories and practice of chiropractic, for a variety of reasons, including lack of scientific validity as well as unsubstantiated management utility (Silver, 1980). However, a Canadian study indicates that much progress has been made in diminishing the gap between GP’s and chiropractors (Verhoef and Page, 1996). Few studies have investigated GPs’ knowledge, awareness and attitudes toward complementary and alternative health care providers, especially in relation to the balance between market rivalry and interprofessional care (Langworthy and Smink, 2000). One such study performed in the Netherlands by Brussee et al. (2001) found that a statistically significant relationship existed between the level of knowledge of chiropractic and the frequency of referral of patients by GP’s. In the UK, it was found that many GP’s were more comfortable in referring to physiotherapists because they felt they had a better understanding of the treatment involved (Breen, et al., 2000). The chiropractic profession is attempting to improve co-operation with the medical profession via the scientific validation of its theories and practice through research (Rubens, 1996). The current perception in South Africa is that GP’s do not tend to refer patients to chiropractors. This has implications for chiropractic in the South African context in terms of integration. Therefore, as the current “gatekeepers” of primary healthcare, it is important to ascertain the perception and knowledge that this group has of the chiropractic profession in South Africa. The purpose of this investigation was therefore to determine the current knowledge and perception of GP’s in South Africa of chiropractors and chiropractic treatment in general. This should establish a knowledge base to facilitate greater understanding and co-operation between GP’s and chiropractors.
A Novel Experimental Bilateral Blunt Chest Trauma Model on Rabbits and its Effects in Lung

Objective: Blunt chest trauma (BCT) is an important problem in emergency services and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to high morbidity and mortality. Some aspects of pulmonary contusion of BCT have not been evident. We aimed to investigate the effects of BCT on the blood gas, biochemical parameters and microscopic and macroscopic level of lung by using a novel trauma model. Materials and Methods: The rabbits were separated into two cohorts of seven. (trauma and control groups). Standardized blunt force was applied to the thorax of animals in the trauma group. Calculated energy via Newton Law was focused on the chest. Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood gases and biochemical levels were recorded. Histopathological examinations of the lungs were performed. Results: The cardiovascular response to the injury was tachycardia in the trauma group. Pulmonary responses observed in the trauma group relative to control animals were a decrease in SO 2 , PO 2 and an increase in CO 2 . Biochemical injury markers found to be elevated in the experimental group. After the in vivo phase of the study, histological assessment confirmed features charac teristic of pulmonary contusion. No signs of abdominal injury were observed in experimental animals on necropsy. Conclusion: We suggest that this model is an alternative way for clinical investigation of different drugs effective in bilateral blunt chest trauma. Our de veloped model is practical, cheap and useful and the experimental values can be changed easily. (JAEM 2011; 10: 103-9)
Child Poverty in Comparative Perspective: Assessing the Role of Family Structure and Parental Education and Employment

This paper draws on the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) microdata to paint a portrait of child poverty across a diverse group of countries, as of 2004-2006. We will first synthesize past LIS-based research on child poverty, focusing on studies that aim to explain cross-national variation in child poverty rates. Our empirical sections will focus on child poverty in 20 high- and middle-income countries – including three Latin American countries, newly added to LIS. We will assess poverty among all households and among those with children, and using multiple poverty measures (relative and absolute, pre- and post- taxes and transfers). We will assess the effects of crucial micro-level factors – family structure, educational attainment, and labor market attachment – considering how the effects of these factors vary across counties. Finally, we will analyze the extent to which crossnational variation in child poverty is explained by families’ characteristics and/or by the effects of (or returns to) those characteristics. Those returns encompass both market and state-generated income.
PHYSICO-PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIBACTERIAL PROSPECTIVE OF CATHARANTHUS PUSILLUS (MURRAY) G. DON -AN IMPORTANT ANTICANCER MEDICINAL PLANT

Objective: The current study described that physico-chemical parameters, preliminary phytochemical screening and anti-bacterial activity of the whole plant extract of Catharanthus pusillus. Methods: All the crude extracts were analyses to know the phytochemical constituent by standard procedure and antibacterial activity by using disc diffusion method. Result: The results of the present investigation phytochemical constituents revealed that alkaloids, tannin, saponins, coumarin, phenol, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides as major compounds present in methanolic extract. Whereas phytosterols, flavonoids showed only in the presence of chloroform extract. The antibacterial activity showed the highest zone of inhibition in methanol extract (24.6±0.39) against Streptococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumonia (23.6±0.32) and chloroform extract had moderate activity against tested pathogenic bacteria. The aqueous and petroleum ether extract have least activity against tested pathogens. Conclusion: The plant extract of Catharanthus pusillus have more phytochemical constituents could be responsible for their prospective antibacterial activity.
CAMA Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis On What States Do Prices Depend ? Answers From Ecuador CAMA Working Paper 51 / 2016 August 2016

In this paper, we argue that differences in the cost structure across sectors play an important role in the decision of firms to adjust their prices. We develop a menu-cost model of pricing in which retail firms intermediate trade between producers and consumers. An important facet of our analysis is that the labor-cost share of retail production differs across goods and services in the consumption basket. For example, the price of gasoline at the retail pump is predicted to adjust more frequently and by more than the price of a haircut due to the high volatility in wholesale gasoline prices relative to the wages of unskilled labor, even when both retailers face a common menu cost. This modeling approach allows us to account for some of the cross-sectional differences observed in the frequency of price adjustments across goods. We apply this model to Ecuador to take advantage of inflation variations and the rich panel of monthly retail prices. | T H E A U S T R A L I A N N A T I O N A L U N I V E R S I T Y
FIRST RESULTS FROM THE VIRIAL SURVEY: THE STELLAR CONTENT OF UVJ-SELECTED QUIESCENT GALAXIES AT 1.5 < z < 2 FROM KMOS

We investigate the stellar populations of 25 massive galaxies ( log [ M * / M ⊙ ] ≥ 10.9 ? > ) at 1.5 < z < 2 ? > using data obtained with the K-band Multi-Object Spectrograph (KMOS) on the ESO VLT. Targets were selected to be quiescent based on their broadband colors and redshifts using data from the 3D-HST grism survey. The mean redshift of our sample is z ¯ = 1.75 ? > , where KMOS YJ-band data probe age- and metallicity-sensitive absorption features in the rest-frame optical, including the G-band, Fe i, and high-order Balmer lines. Fitting simple stellar population models to a stack of our KMOS spectra, we derive a mean age of 1.03 − 0.08 + 0.13 ? > Gyr. We confirm previous results suggesting a correlation between color and age for quiescent galaxies, finding mean ages of 1.22 − 0.19 + 0.56 ? > Gyr and 0.85 − 0.05 + 0.08 ? > Gyr for the reddest and bluest galaxies in our sample. Combining our KMOS measurements with those obtained from previous studies at 0.2 < z < 2 ? > we find evidence for a 2–3 Gyr spread in the formation epoch of massive galaxies. At z < 1 ? > the measured stellar ages are consistent with passive evolution, while at 1 < z ≲ 2 ? > they appear to saturate at ∼1 Gyr, which likely reflects changing demographics of the (mean) progenitor population. By comparing to star formation histories inferred for “normal” star-forming galaxies, we show that the timescales required to form massive galaxies at z ≳ 1.5 ? > are consistent with the enhanced α-element abundances found in massive local early-type galaxies.
What we know, do not know, and need to know about climate change vulnerability in the western Canadian Arctic: a systematic literature review

This letter systematically reviews and synthesizes scientific and gray literature publications (n = 420) to identify and characterize the nature of climate change vulnerability in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the western Canadian Arctic and identify gaps in understanding. The literature documents widespread evidence of climate change, with implications for human and biophysical systems. Adaptations are being employed to manage changing conditions and are indicative of a high adaptive capacity. However, barriers to adaptation are evident and are expected to constrain adaptive capacity to future climate change. Continued climate change is predicted for the region, with differential exposure sensitivity for communities, groups and sectors: a function of social–economic–biophysical characteristics and projected future climatic conditions. Existing climate risks are expected to increase in magnitude and frequency, although the interaction between projected changes and socio-economic–demographic trends has not been assessed. The capacity for adapting to future climate change has also not been studied. The review identifies the importance of targeted vulnerability research that works closely with community members and other stakeholders to address research needs. Importantly, the fully categorized list of reviewed references accompanying this letter will be a valuable resource for those working or planning to work in the region, capturing climate change research published since 1990. At a broader level, the systematic review methodology offers a promising tool for climate/environmental change studies in general where there is a large and emerging body of research but limited understanding of research gaps and needs.
Inventory control with partial batch ordering

In an in¯nite-horizon, periodic-review, single-item production/inventory system with random demand and back-ordering, we study the feature of batch ordering, where a separate ¯xed cost is associated for each batch ordered. Contrary to majority of the literature on this topic, we do not restrict the order quantities to be integer multiples of the batch size and instead allow the possibility of partial batches, in which case the ¯xed cost for ordering the batch is still fully charged. We build a model that particu- larly takes the batch ordering cost structure into account. We introduce an alternative cost accounting scheme to analyze the problem, and we discuss several properties of the optimal solution. Based on the analysis of a single-period problem and a multi-period lower-bound problem, we study two heuristic policies for the original partial batch or- dering problem, both of which perform very well computationally for a wide range of problem parameters. Finally, we compare the performance of the optimal policy to the performance of the best full-batch-size ordering policy to quantify the value of partial ordering °exibility.
Social Network-Aware Disk Management

Disk access patterns of social networking applications are different from those of traditional applications. However, today’s disk layout techniques are not adapted to social networking workloads and thus suffer in performance. In this paper, we first present disk layout techniques that leverage community structure in the social graph to make placement decisions. Second, we build a layout manager called the Bondhu system that incorporates our techniques. We integrate Bondhu into the popular Neo4j graph database engine. Our trace driven experimental results show that the Bondhu system improves the median response time by as much as 48%. While taking the community structure into account yields clear benefits, our results indicate that models with more complexity beyond the social graph may yield low additional benefit.
The Impact of the Morningstar Sustainability Rating on Mutual Fund Flows

We examine the effect of the introduction of Morningstar’s Sustainability Rating in March 2016 on U.S. equity mutual fund flows. Exploiting this shock to the availability of sustainability information we establish a causal relation between sustainability and fund flows. Using panel regressions, propensity score matching, and an event study methodology we find strong and robust evidence that retail investors shift money away from low-rated and into high-rated funds. An average high-rated retail fund receives between $4.1m and $10.1m higher net flows and an average low-rated retail fund suffers from $1.0m to $5.0m lower net flows than an average-rated fund during the first year after the publication of the Rating. The effect is caused by the publication of the Morningstar Sustainability Rating and not by a general attractiveness of sustainable funds. Institutional investors react much more weakly to the publication of the Rating.
FDI and Environmental Standard: Pollution Haven or a Race to the Bottom

Freer Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows accompanied with globalization have raised the concern of a "race to the bottom" in which environmental standards across countries level down because footloose investors of "dirty" industries threaten to relocate to "pollution havens" to the developing world. This paper studies the relationship between FDI and environmental standards using a North-South market share game model when pollution is transboundary (as in the case of greenhouse gases). Contrary to the pollution haven hypothesis (PHH) or race-to-the-bottom corollary, our models shows that if market sizes of the two countries are small, FDI will raise the emission standard of the host country, or a "race to the top"; but if market sizes are large enough, FDI will not change the emission standard of the South (which is in the laxest form), a finding that theoretically supports "regulatory chill" argument. Equilibrium FDI is contingent on the fixed cost of FDI, as traditional proximity-concentration trade-off predicts.
Clinical improvement of nursing intervention in swallowing dysfunction of elderly stroke patients

Objective: This study aims to discuss clinical improvement of nursing intervention in swallowing dysfunction of elderly stroke patients. Methods: A total of 120 elderly stroke patients with swallowing dysfunction admitted in our hospital from February 2016 to September 2017 were chosen and randomly divided into control (n=60) and intervention groups (n=60). The control group was provided with conventional nursing service, and the intervention group was provided with nursing intervention. Improvements of swallowing dysfunction, living quality, pulmonary infection, and nursing satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results: The total efficiencies in improving swallowing dysfunction are 96.67% and 83.33% for the intervention and control groups, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The scores of physical functions, psychological functions, social functions, and material life are higher in the intervention group than those in the control group (P<0.05). The pulmonary infection rate in the intervention group (1.67%) is also lower than that in the control group (11.67%, P<0.05). Nursing satisfaction was significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05). The scores of nursing satisfaction are 98.33% and 88.33% in the control and intervention groups, respectively. Conclusions: Nursing intervention exerts a significant clinical effect on improving swallowing dysfunction of elderly stroke patients. Such intervention can also improve the living quality and nursing satisfaction of the patients and reduce pulmonary infection rate. Hence, nursing intervention is worthy of clinical research and promotion.