Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Review on Toxoplasmosis and Its Zoonotic Importance

The genus toxoplasma has a single species, Toxoplasma gondii, which is an intestinal coccidian of cats. The life cycle includes a facultative systemic phase, which is an important cause of abortion in sheep and may also cause a zoonosis. Natural infection has been described in almost every mammalian order, including over 19 species of captive and free-ranging ungulates. All felids, but the domestic cat is the most important final host for the parasite and any other mammals including man, or birds are the intermediate hosts. Fortunately, the pathological changes are relatively uncommon and most toxoplasma infections in animals and man are light and consequently asymptomatic. Human infections are particularly serious if they occur during pregnancy and may result in abortion or congenitally acquired disorders, which primarily affect the central nervous system. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of immunoglobulin G antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii has been determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and the highest antibody titers were found in children, young and adults. Human immuno deficiency virus-1 frequently leads to resurgence of toxoplasmosis. The most important role of toxoplasmosis in ruminants is its association with abortion and perinatal mortality. In cats and dogs the most frequent signs of toxoplasmosis are associated with infection of central nervous system and the visual, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.
Investorsâ€™ to Reaction to Marketing and Financial Announcements in the Telecommunication Sector

This article investigates the reaction of investors in the Bahrain Bourse toward two types of signals from the telecommunication sector: Marketing and financial announcements made by corporate management. Using an event study, six events that were announced over the period of 2011-2014 by Batelco, the only listed Telecommunication Company in the Bahrain Bourse, have been thoroughly analyzed. Results highlight that, regardless of the type of signal, investors exhibited significant reactions to all the announcements. Investors reacted positively to the announcement of additions to investments, Batelco winning the award for best investor relations and slashing the broadband rates and negatively to change of management. Investors generated positive cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) on the event days as well as on the 21st days of four of these announced events, and generated negative abnormal returns in reaction to two of these events. This could be indicative that the Bahrain Bourse is inefficient in the semi-strong form in the telecommunication sector.
Skeletal and dental effects during observation and treatment with a magnetic device.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a magnetic appliance, MAD IV, on the treatment of anterior open bites in growing patients. The study material included the lateral cephalograms and hand-wrist radiographs of 16 patients who had an anterior open bite malocclusion. The radiographs were taken at the beginning (T1) and at the end of observation period (T2) and at the end of MAD IV application (T3). At the beginning of the study, the mean age of the subjects was 11 years two months. To define the direction of facial growth, the patients were first observed for nine months without any orthodontic or orthopedic approach. At the end of the observation period, patients who had shown a vertical growth direction, resulting in an increase in open bite, were given an MAD IV appliance and were instructed to wear the appliance 18 hours a day for 7.5 months. Thirty-two different parameters were evaluated from the lateral cephalograms. Paired t-tests were used for statistical evaluation of differences that occurred during the periods and between the periods. During the observation period, the patients continued their mandibular posterior rotation resulting in an increase in lower facial height (P < .001) and an open bite (P < .01). During the treatment period, the patients showed an anterior mandibular rotation with statistically important decreases in lower facial height and open bite (P < .001). In the treatment of anterior open bite with the MAD IV appliance, skeletal changes played a role along with dental and dentoalveolar effects.
Site-Directed and Random Insertional Mutagenesis in Medically Important Fungi

Site-directed and random mutagenesis have been useful tools in molecular biology. The application of directed mutagenesis in medically important fungi has been limited by the availability of molecular genetic techniques. Even species in which efficient genetic transformation methodologies exist, mutagenesis approaches were sparsely used due to diploidism. Lack of genetic tools hindered understanding of virulence mechanisms of medically important fungi. With the arrival of whole-genome sequencing, as well as improved techniques of genetic manipulation, the ability to address these questions is improving. A comprehensive review of mutagenesis in pathogenic fungi is outside the scope of this review, so not all studies were included. The intent of this review is to educate the reader on applications of site-directed and random insertional mutagenesis in medically important fungi in order to provide ideas for novel approaches to address major issues in pathogenic fungal research.
Measuring Macroeconomic Tail Risk

While time-varying disasters can explain many characteristics of financial markets, their quantitative assessment is still missing. We propose a latent variable approach to estimate the time-varying probability of a macroeconomic disaster, using a dataset of 42 countries over more than 100 years. We find that disaster risk is volatile and persistent, strongly correlates with the dividend yield, and forecasts stock returns. A state-of-the-art model calibrated with our disaster risk estimates generates a large and volatile equity premium and a low risk free rate under standard assumptions. This evidence supports the idea that investors' fear of disasters drives equity premium dynamics.
Optimal DNA sequence recognition by the Ultrabithorax homeodomain of Drosophila.

The 61 amino acid homeodomain is conserved among members of a family of eukaryotic DNA‐binding proteins that play regulatory roles in transcription and in development. We have refined a rapid method for determining optimal DNA binding sites and have applied it to a 72 amino acid peptide containing the homeodomain of the Ultrabithorax (Ubx) homeotic gene of Drosophila. The site (5′‐TTAATGG‐3′) is tightly bound (KD approximately 7 × 10(‐11) M) by the Ubx homeodomain peptide; the four central TAAT bases of this sequence play a primary role in determining the affinity of binding, with significant secondary contributions deriving from the flanking bases. Although previously defined genomic sites contain multiple TAAT sequences with flanking bases distinct from those in the optimal binding site, we have found a new binding site with seven near‐perfect repeats of the optimal sequence; this site is located in the promoter region of decapentaplegic, a probable Ubx regulatory target. The presence of a TAAT motif in the binding sites for most other homeodomain proteins suggests the existence of a conserved mechanism for recognition of this core sequence, with further specificity conferred by interactions with bases flanking this core.
An application of Data Envelopment Analysis to study the Technical Efficiency of UAE banks in the pre and post crisis period تانايبلا فلغم ليلحتل اذيفنت ةساردل '(DEA) فراصملل ةينفلا ةءافكلا ةمزلأا دعب امو لبق ام ةرتف يف ةدحتملا ةيبرعلا تاراملإا

The rapid growth and development of the UAE banking sector over the past decade has seen increased competitiveness, technological advancements, booming economic conditions as well as a global financial meltdown resulting in tighter regulatory norms and increased emphasis on operational efficiency. To this end, the present paper carries out a two stage analysis on 11 local commercial UAE banks, over the period of ‘2003-‘2010. In the first stage, the technical efficiency scores of the sample banks are computed with the help of the output oriented, variable returns to scale, Data Envelopment Analysis technique. The scores so arrived at in the first stage, were used in the second stage of the analysis, where the Tobit censored regression test was used to regress the dependent variables (the efficiency scores) against 4 selected variables, so as to understand whether these variables influence efficiency scores and if so, to what extent. The findings indicated that the UAE banking sector was affected by the financial crisis based on the pre crisis (i.e. ‘2003-‘2008) technical efficiency scores which reflected an ascending trend. Thereafter, a decline of 33.33% in the number of technically efficient banks was observed and it was inferred that DEA as a technique was able to reflect this trend. The results of the second stage analysis showed that the size of a bank, the profitability (in terms of net income) and the market share of each bank positively influenced the technical efficiency scores, where an increase in these independent variables led to improved efficiency scores. On the other hand, total equity (the proxy for bank capitalization) was found to be negatively related to efficiency scores, which meant banks with lower capitalization ratios had better efficiency levels and vice versa.
The TNF family member APRIL dampens collagen-induced arthritis

Background The tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-family members B cell activating factor (BAFF) and A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL) play important roles in B cell biology, and share binding to B cell maturation antigen and transmembrane activator and cyclophilin ligand interactor, both receptors of the TNF-family. However, while it is reported that BAFF can break B cell tolerance, the role of APRIL in autoimmunity remains elusive. Objective To evaluate the role of APRIL on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Methods CIA was induced in APRIL-transgenic (Tg) DBA/1 mice and littermates. Disease progression was evaluated by clinical and histological signs of arthritis. In another experimental setting mice were exposed to the collagen antibody-induced arthritis. In addition, we tested T cell dependent humoral responses in APRIL-Tg mice. Results We found that APRIL-Tg displayed a strongly reduced incidence and severity of CIA compared with littermates, with decreases in collagen-specific autoantibody titres, immune complex deposition and downstream mast cell activation in joints. Notably, ectopic APRIL-expression was also found to negatively regulate T cell dependent humoral responses. The lower autoantibody production in APRIL-Tg mice during CIA appears to be crucial, as arthritis induced by administration of anti-collagen antibodies developed similar in APRIL-Tg and control mice, thus demonstrating that the downstream effector pathways induced by anti-collagen antibodies remain intact in APRIL-Tg mice. This protective effect was specifically mediated by APRIL, as adenoviral delivery of APRIL decreased CIA in a therapeutic setting. Conclusions Collectively, our data identify APRIL as a negative regulator of CIA by regulating autoantibody production. These findings are of important clinical relevance, as the therapeutic potential of transmembrane activator and cyclophilin ligand interactor-Fc (atacicept) is presently evaluated in clinical trials.
Consumption experience in retail environments: A literature review

Experience has emerged as a research topic in marketing, as a result of the efforts many retailers have made in creating experiential offerings. The academic literature on experience first focused on antecedents and the search for an experience, and on the outcomes of experience, before investigating the actual content of an experience. Retailers’ strategies can be analyzed using frameworks based either on consumers’ participation in the production of the experience or on the extraordinary or ordinary aspects of an experience. The integrating model developed in this research helps to capture the consumer’s shopping experience in virtual as well as physical shopping environments.
Direct Numerical Simulation of Shock-Induced Drop Breakup with a Sharp-Interface-Method

We present twoand three-dimensional numerical results of the shock-induced breakup of a liquid droplet in air. We apply a conservative interface interaction model for sharp-interface representation and a block-based multi-resolution scheme to adaptively refine our mesh. Numerical modeling effects, such as the flux reconstruction scheme and the use of a scale separation model, that treats non-resolved interface segments, are investigated. Similarly as a previous study (Meng, 2016), we identify two dominant mechanisms of droplet breakup at certain Mach numbers flattening of the droplet and sheet stripping occurring simultaneously and influencing each other in our simulations. Three-dimensional simulations show the flattening mechanism and the mushroom-like deformation of the droplet. They also explain the occurrence of a recirculation zone in the droplet wake. The two-dimensional simulations already exhibit the sheet stripping mechanism, which occurs during and after droplet flattening. Small sheets emerge from both the upstream and the downstream side of the water column, while the main sheet develops at the droplet equator.
How Well Do Home Energy Audits Serve the Homeowner

Home energy audits administered by utilities and government typically provide homeowners with lists of technical upgrade recommendations intended to increase the technical energy efficiency of the house. Audits proceed with assessment of physical characteristics, subsequently processed with a computational model and transformed into a report, sometimes customized by the auditor. While the design of an energy audit reflects program and policy points of view 阂 balancing program cost with expected program savings, educating people about the value of energy efficiency, etc. 阂 it is crucial to consider th e criteria for a good home energy audit and recommendations from homeowners 鈂 point s of view. How well do home energy audits currently meet these criteria? How well do asset-based assessments match what homeowners seem to want? We consider these questions based on a study of 286 homeowners who participated in a Seattle City Light home energy audit program. Findings suggest that there is substantial opportunity to reorient audit programs to better fit the realities of why homeowners undertake energy audits and retrofits. In the Seattle City Light program, participating homeowners found certain elements of the audit they received 阂 interaction with professional auditors, blower door testing, and customized, specific upgrade recommendations 阂 to be more compelling than the standardized and quantitative elements. Rather than being engaged with increasing energy efficiency, as invited by an asset perspective and asset-based efficiency scores, homeowners wanted to build better understanding of their home 鈂s energy use and to learn how to solve specific problems, especially reflecting their household 鈂s actual energy use practices.
Service Quality Perceptions of Customers about Insurance Companies: An Empirical Study

After the implementation of government policies on globalization and liberalization, the consumers have become more critical of the quality of service. Consumers are now very much aware of the alternatives available in relation to services and the provider organizations. Expectations of consumers are rising and the provider organizations should be aware of these expectations. The objective of the present study is to compare and analyze the service quality perceptions of customers about the public sector and private sector insurance companies. The study also seeks to find the relevant dimensions of the SERVQUAL/SERVPERF scale in insurance industry in the Indian context. A total of 210 respondents completed the field survey, and the survey was conducted in the Hyderabad city of Andhra Pradesh. The primary statistical techniques used in the study are Correlation analysis, Factor analysis and Multiple regression analysis. An attempt has been made here to quantitatively study the levels of the dimensions of service quality and its relation to customer service quality perceptions. Results of overall service quality perceptions show that public insurance companies are rated high as compared to private insurance sector companies. Exploratory factor analysis was used and five factors were extracted using the method of principal component analysis. The five factors extracted in case of public sector insurance company explained 78.34% of the variance; whereas five factors extracted in case of private sector insurance company explained 77.07% of the variance. The correlation analysis results show that all the five dimensions are highly relevant for service quality perceptions in insurance sector, as correlation coefficient 'r' values for all the dimensions range from 0.945 to 0.973. Regression analysis with overall service quality perceptions as dependent variable, and five extracted factors as independent variables was run in SPSS 17.0. Regression results show that except tangibility dimension, beta coefficient values for other four dimensions of service quality namely; empathy, reliability, assurance, responsiveness are higher in case of public sector insurance companies. Statistically, beta coefficient values for reliability, assurance dimensions are higher in case of public sector life insurance companies as compared to private sector life insurance companies. Whereas only one dimension tangibility got statistically higher beta coefficient value for private sector life insurance companies. The present study was conducted under the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference in the service quality perceptions of public and private sector insurance companies. Results of t-test rejected the null hypothesis, led to the inference that there is significant difference in the service quality perceptions of public and private sector insurance companies. In all, the present study arrived at a conclusion that customers perceive better quality of service for public sector insurance companies as compared to private sector insurance companies.
Relationship between Reading Attitudes and Reading Comprehension Performance of Secondary School Students in Kwara State , Nigeria

This paper examined the relationship between reading attitudes and reading comprehension performance of secondary school students in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study was a correlational type. Its sample comprised 800 Senior Secondary School II students sampled from 28 co-educational public secondary schools located in the three Senatorial Districts of the state. Two researcher-designed instruments were used: Reading Attitudes Questionnaire (RATQ), which measured learners’ attitudes to three types of reading behaviour; and Reading Comprehension Performance Tests (RCPT), made up of two comprehension passages with 10 multiple choice tests, each. RATQ and RCPT had reliability indices of 0.721 and 0.850 respectively. The analysis was done with Percentages and Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistics. The findings revealed that a total of 65.75% of the students had a generally negative attitude towards reading: 61.13% of them performed well only at the literal level of reading; 38%; 60% and 65.87% at the inferential, evaluate and creative levels, respectively. Also, there was a very high, positive and significant relationship between the students’ reading attitudes and their reading comprehension performance (r=.0835 df 798 P≤ 0.05). These findings implied that negative attitudes to extensive reading could lead to students’ poor performance in reading comprehension, which could in turn lead to poor performance in English language. Consequent upon these findings, it was recommended among others, that teachers should always strive to be efficient facilitators of reading, ensuring that learners maintain enhanced positive attitudes to extensive reading so that other stakeholders will be motivated into supporting the school system fully.
Alternative countermovement-jump analysis to quantify acute neuromuscular fatigue.

PURPOSE To examine the reliability and magnitude of change after fatiguing exercise in the countermovement-jump (CMJ) test and determine its suitability for the assessment of fatigue-induced changes in neuromuscular (NM) function. A secondary aim was to examine the usefulness of a set of alternative CMJ variables (CMJ-ALT) related to CMJ mechanics. METHODS Eleven male college-level team-sport athletes performed 6 CMJ trials on 6 occasions. A total of 22 variables, 16 typical (CMJ-TYP) and 6 CMJ-ALT, were examined. CMJ reproducibility (coefficient of variation; CV) was examined on participants' first 3 visits. The next 3 visits (at 0, 24, and 72 h postexercise) followed a fatiguing high-intensity intermittent-exercise running protocol. Meaningful differences in CMJ performance were examined through effect sizes (ES) and comparisons to interday CV. RESULTS Most CMJ variables exhibited intraday (n = 20) and interday (n = 21) CVs of <10%. ESs ranging from trivial to moderate were observed in 18 variables at 0 h (immediately postfatigue). Mean power, peak velocity, flight time, force at zero velocity, and area under the force-velocity trace showed changes greater than the CV in most individuals. At 24 h, most variables displayed trends toward a return to baseline. At 72 h, small increases were observed in time-related CMJ variables, with mean changes also greater than the CV. CONCLUSIONS The CMJ test appears a suitable athlete-monitoring method for NM-fatigue detection. However, the current approach (ie, CMJ-TYP) may overlook a number of key fatigue-related changes, and so practitioners are advised to also adopt variables that reflect the NM strategy used.
Supply and demand chain management: the effect of adding services to product offerings

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand how firms manage their product and service offerings, integrating supply chain management (SCM) and demand chain management (DCM) strategies. Adding services to the product portfolio of a firm may bring benefits to an organisation, but requires a reconsideration of the supply chain management approach. Design/methodology/approach – A survey is used to collect data, with valid questionnaires obtained for 4,227 UK-based respondents. Empirical analysis utilises structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings – The paper proposes that a combination of management approaches is required by firms which add services to their portfolio of traditional product offerings. A supply chain management approach may be suitable for traditional product offerings. The management of the services value chain, where the customers' role as value creator is a central feature of the construct, is better served by integration of the market orientation of DCM. Originality/value – Th.
Long-range mapping of Mis-2, a common provirus integration site identified in murine leukemia virus-induced thymomas and located 160 kilobase pairs downstream of Myb

The nondefective Moloney murine leukemia virus (MuLV) induces clonal or oligoclonal T-cell tumors in mice or rats. The proviruses of these nondefective MuLVs have been shown to act as insertion mutagens most frequently activating an adjacent cellular gene involved in cell growth control. Mutations by provirus insertions, recognized as common provirus integration sites, have been instrumental in identifying novel cellular genes involved in tumor formation. We have searched for new common provirus integration sites in Moloney MuLV-induced thymomas. Using cellular sequences flanking a provirus cloned from one of these tumors, we found one region, designated Mis-2, which was the target of provirus integration in a low (3%) percentage of these tumors. Mis-2 was mapped on mouse chromosome 10, approximately 160 kbp downstream of myb. The Mis-2 region may contain a novel gene involved in tumor development.