Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Remittances and their Response to Portfolio Variables

Using a recent Spanish database on immigrants from all across the globe, we show that remittances respond to differences in macroeconomic conditions at home and abroad. This behavior suggests that immigrants are sophisticated economic optimizers who take advantage of differential returns when accumulating assets. Immigrants remit more when per capita GDP growth rates at home are greater than in Spain, when the home-host real interest-rate differential increases, and when real exchange-rate uncertainty is higher. These patterns differ with ownership of home country assets and with the area of the globe from which immigrants originate, whether it is Africa, the Americas, Europe or Asia. The response of remittances to cross-country differences in portfolio variables suggests that remittances may not be counter-cyclical as often claimed. Hence, paradoxically, while remittances may promote consumption-smoothing at the individual or household level, remittances cannot be relied upon to shore up migrant-sending economies in times of need.
Title : Ecological Differentiation in Planktonic and Sediment-Associated Chemotrophic Microbial Populations in Yellowstone Hot Springs Running Title : Ecological Differentiation in Hot Spring Populations

1 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717 2 School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287 3 Department of Geosciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706 4 School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287 5 NASA Astrobiology Institute, Mountain View, California 94035
Fiscal policy in the BRICs

Abstract This paper assesses the macroeconomic impact of fiscal policy shocks for four key emerging market economies – Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRICs) – using a fully simultaneous system of equations. We also estimate fiscal policy rules and analyze the importance of nonlinearity using a smooth transition (STR) model. Drawing on quarterly data, we find that government spending shocks have strong Keynesian effects for this group of countries while, in the case of government revenue shocks, a tax hike is harmful for output. This suggests that there is no evidence in favor of “expansionary fiscal contraction” in the context of emerging economies where spending policies are largely pro-cyclical. Our findings also show that considerations about growth (in the case of China), exchange rate and inflation (for Brazil and Russia) and commodity prices (in India) drive the nonlinear response of fiscal policy to the dynamics of the economy.
Mentoring for Impact

School based mentoring (SBM) is an increasingly popular component of pastoral care programs in Australian secondary schools. Concurrent with growing consensus over the benefits of SBM, there is increasing recognition that the benefits of SBM can be maximised through careful programming, appropriate benchmarking and effective evaluation. Although children spend approximately 40% of their waking hours in school, and SBM is increasingly common, there is surprisingly little data available on the effectiveness of SBM. This paper reports on research into a mentoring program that links undergraduate theology students to teenage students in a secondary school. While the mentoring program was of value to both mentors and mentees, interviews with participants point to the value of aligning the program with guidelines for best practice found in the Australian National Youth Mentoring Benchmarks, 2007.
Effect of aqueous extracts of selected medicinal plants on germination of windgrass [Apera spica-venti (L.) P. Beauv.] and lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) seeds

The study aimed to determine the effect of aqueous extracts of medicinal plants ( Matricaria chamomilla , Hypericum perforatum , Achillea millefolium , and Urtica dioica ) containing allelopathic compounds on seed germination in lambsquarters ( Chenopodium album ) and herbicide-resistant windgrass ( Apera spica-venti ). A Petri-dish experiment was carried out, in which the effects of five concentrations of aqueous extracts on the germination of weeds were assessed for 10 consecutive days. It was found that the dynamics of seed germination are closely related to the type and concentration of aqueous extract of medicinal plants. The 8% U. dioica aqueous extract posed the strongest inhibitory effect, limiting the germination of both lambsquarters and windgrass. Additionally, weed germination was delayed by 12–72 h in the presence of extracts, compared with the control. Summing up, the aqueous extracts of medicinal plants, especially their higher concentrations, pose a desirable inhibiting effect against the germination of lambsquarters and herbicide-resistant windgrass seeds.
Confessing their Crime: Factors Influencing the Offender’s Decision to Confess to the Police

Confessions are crucial to successful police investigations but scholars have significantly overlooked factors that contribute to an offender’s decision to confess a crime. This study aims to examine a large array of factors that play a role in the offender’s decision to confess a crime to the police and potential interaction effect among them. A total of 221 adult males incarcerated in a federal Canadian penitentiary were recruited. Correctional files, police reports, and offenders’ self‐reported data were collected and analyzed. Controlling for sociodemographic, criminological, and contextual factors, a series of logistic regression analyses were conducted. Findings highlighted the predominant role of police evidence over and above other factors analyzed. Furthermore, sociodemographic and criminological factors played a more important role in the offender’s decision to confess when police evidence was weak. Findings are discussed in light of the current scientific literature on the determinants of offenders’ decision to confess their crime.
Shipboard safety: exploring organizational and regulatory factors

ABSTRACT How vessel crews perceive safety on board (shipboard safety) is a useful indication for the general safety level. In this study a theoretical model was explored, involving factors that could possibly influence shipboard safety. Based on a survey questionnaire (n = 244), safety climate, shipowner efficiency demands and regulatory activities were investigated as influencing factors. Structural equation modelling gave support to the theoretical model and the findings illustrate that simultaneous involvement of various levels of the maritime system (crews, shipowners, regulators) can be effective for safety improvements. The study indicates that shipboard safety is affected by actions and prioritization by external actors through safety climate. It suggests that the maritime industry will profit from monitoring safety climate as part of the ongoing risk considerations, as a supplement to reactive parameters such as accident statistics.
Title Diverse human skin fungal communities in children converge in adulthood Author names and affiliations

Understanding the skin mycobiome (fungal communities) is important because both commensal and pathogenic fungi can drive cutaneous disease depending on host status and body sites, including the scalp, feet, and groin. Interestingly, age may also affect skin fungal infections as certain dermatophytoses (i.e. tinea capitis) are more frequent in children than adults. We previously described the skin mycobiomes in healthy adults, showing lipophilic fungi Malassezia predominate in most skin sites. Since children have less sebaceous skin before puberty, we compared the fungal communities of primary clinical samples from healthy children and adults, based on sequencing of a fungal phylogenetic marker. While Malassezia predominated on trunk, head and arm skin of adults (age 20s-30s), children (age <14) had more diverse fungal communities, for example, Eurotiomycetes which includes common dermatophytes. Species-level classification showed M. globosa predominated in children. Collectively, our findings indicate that prepubertal skin is colonized by diverse fungi, whereas adult skin is predominantly obligatory lipophilic Malassezia, suggesting that fungal communities on skin profoundly shift during puberty. Mycobiome shifts during puberty are likely due to alterations in sebaceous gland activation and sebum composition. This study provides a foundational framework for studies investigating interactions between fungi, skin, and pediatric dermatophytosis. M AN US CR IP T AC CE PT ED ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
FUNDAMENTALS VERSUS CONTAGION PROXIES TO EXPLAIN FINANCIAL ASSETS PRICE CHANGES

There is a general consensus that expected returns are notoriously difficult to predict for many reasons, including modeling and econometric problems. The bubble and contagion literature proposes fundamentals an d contagion proxies as ex planatory of financial asset’s price chang es. This paper uses mean and semiparametric methods to analy ze the ex planatory value of some of these variables. The goal of this study is to de termine which variables have hig her explanatory value as well as their differential impact throughout the distribution of returns. The finding s suggest that none of the twelve different models used to prox y fundamentals have an y explanatory value for pri ce changes. The t hree models used t o proxy contagion variables are found sig nificant regardless of the methodolog y used: OLS, panel data or quantile regression. Also, in the three models, the effect of the independent variable is found to increase with the quantile.
Infections and Atherosclerosis Epidemiologic and Mechanistic Evidence Linking Periodontal − − ! ' ' Gum Bug , Leave My Heart

Evidence from epidemiologic studies suggests that periodontal infections are independently associated with subclinical and clinical atherosclerotic vascular disease. Although the strength of the reported associations is modest, the consistency of the data across diverse populations and a variety of exposure and outcome variables suggests that the findings are not spurious or attributable only to the effects of confounders. Analysis of limited data from interventional studies suggests that periodontal treatment generally results in favorable effects on subclinical markers of atherosclerosis, although such analysis also indicates considerable heterogeneity in responses. Experimental mechanistic in vitro and in vivo studies have established the plausibility of a link between periodontal infections and atherogenesis, and have identified biological pathways by which these effects may be mediated. However, the utilized models are mostly mono-infections of host cells by a limited number of ‘model’ periodontal pathogens, and therefore may not adequately portray human periodontitis as a polymicrobial, biofilm-mediated disease. Future research must identify in vivo pathways in humans that may (i) lead to periodontitis-induced atherogenesis, or (ii) result in treatment-induced reduction of atherosclerosis risk. Data from these studies will be essential for determining whether periodontal interventions have a role in the primary or secondary prevention of atherosclerosis.
Automated-Manual Transitions: Human Capabilities and Adaptive Cruise Control

ITS innovations in California are likely to include automated systems for vehicle guidance. Such systems will supplant manual controls during certain types of vehicle operation. However, the alternative manual control must remain intact in the vehicle. Thus, epochs of automated-manual transition (A-MT) are inevitable. The problem is how to characterize a given transition type and then how to optimize it. In this study we examined one of the several predictable transitions that use of the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) will lead to. This predictable A-MT is the event that would ensue when a lead vehicle (LV) suddenly brakes maximally and a following vehicle (FV) under the control of ACC must react appropriately (hereafter referred to as the LV Braking Scenario). Such an event is neither unlikely nor is it benign. It can be shown that within the current design of ACC, this event will lead to a collision. Collision avoidance is possible but only if the human operator (HO) of the FV assumes manual control in a timely way. In TO 4221 the conditions required for a graceful A-MT in this scenario were investigated. We focused attention on two features of the HO, those visual capabilities required by the HO to determine the need to assume manual control and also those features of an in-vehicle warning signal (initiated by either vehicle) that could reliably prompt appropriate HO action. This was accomplished in the context of three tasks.
ACTGAGCATTGGCACACTT TACAAAAGCTACTACG CTGGTACTTGCGGGTGAT CTCAACAAGCTCATCAA TCTTCAACGGAGGATAAACC CCGAATCATGTCAC GACGTTGACTGTTCCCTGT GTAGTGGGCTGGACG ATAGTGTCTCCGGCCTTG AGCATCATCGTCA CGAAATGGTAGCTGTAGCC CTATCCGACTGAGAC GAGGCGCTTGATGAGAC CAACCAGGGCAAC CACGCACTGAGGATAGTTCT CCTTCAACGACTT CGCTAATGGCCTTGTTCT

The transcriptional activator XYR1 is the central regulator that governs cellulolytic and xylanolytic gene expression in Trichoderma reesei. However, despite its biological importance, relatively little is known about its functional binding sequences. In the present study, we investigated the binding characteristics and specific target for XYR1 by using DNase I footprinting analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. We demonstrate that XYR1 can interact not only with the 50-GGCTAA-30 motif but also with several 5-GGC(A/T)3-3 motifs. In silico analysis revealed that the 5-GGC(A/T)3-3 motifs are widespread as single site in 50-upstream region of all the XYR1-regulated genes. Furthermore, we defined the important nucleotides within the binding site that contribute to specific interaction with XYR1. Our results suggest that, together with the inverted repeat motifs, the single 5-GGC(A/T)4-3 motifs play important roles as functional XYR1-binding sites in the regulation of cellulase and xylanase gene expression in T. reesei. 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Help or Hindrance: Temporary Help Agencies and the United States Transitory Workforce

The impact of a Temporary Help Agency (THA) job placement on an employee’s future employment status and labor market income is examined using NLSY79 data for the late 1990s. Several matching estimators provide gender-specific estimates of the effects of temporary agency employment on future employment outcomes. Compared to directhire temps, women’s earnings increase two years after THA employment, while men’s do not. Four years after THA employment, women continue to benefit from THA jobs, while men experience lower earnings and probability of employment. We find THA work does not help men with future income or employability, however, policy encouraging women to use THA firms for labor market re-entry would be beneficial in these two areas.
Exploring the Enablers of Organizational and Marketing Innovations in SMEs

Previous research studies on innovation tend to focus on process and product innovations. Recent theoretical opinions reveal that Organizational and Marketing Innovations (OMIs) could be the necessary prerequisites to optimally utilize and deploy such process and product innovations. It is important to note that there is a dearth of information on the enablers of OMIs capabilities among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Despite their closeness to their customers, many SMEs are finding it difficult to achieve successful and effective innovations; these are innovations that have a positive impact on the business growth and returns. This study presents findings from exploratory qualitative research conducted in South-Western Nigeria. Drawing upon information-rich evidence from 13 in-depth interviews with the owners and the managers of SMEs, this study identifies some enablers that can promote SMEs’ OMIs capabilities, effective innovations, and organizational survival.
Type-A Behavior, Gender, and Job Satisfaction: A Research on Instructors

There has been some research which investigates the relationship between gender, different personality traits, and job satisfaction in the field of behavioral sciences. The aim of this study is to examine the difference between male and female instructors’ job satisfaction and to investigate the predict level of job satisfaction by Type-A personality traits and gender. 308 instructors (116 female and 192 male) with various titles working at different universities participated in this study. The data were collected through Type-A Personality Scale, Job Satisfaction Scale, and Personal Data Form. Independent t-test, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression techniques were used to analyze the data. The findings showed that there was no significant difference between male and female instructors’ scores on job satisfaction. Scores on moving away from social activities and importance attributed to timing that are sub-dimensions of Type-A Personality Scale, were significant predictors of job satisfaction. According to these results, whereas scores of moving away from social activities of participants increase, job satisfaction decreases. Additionally, scores of importance attributed to timing increases, as job satisfaction increases. The findings of the study revealed that some personal characteristics explained the job satisfaction significantly.
Adsorption of Uranium by Chitin Phosphate and Chitosan Phosphate

The adsorption of uranium by chitin phosphate and chitosan phosphate was investigated to obtain information on uranium recovery from aqueous systems, especially sea water and uranium mine waste water. The adsorption of uranium by chitin phosphate and chitosan phosphate was much greater than copper, cadmium, manganese, zinc, cobalt, nickel, magnesium and calcium. The adsorption of uranium was very rapid during the first 10 min and was affected by pH of the solution, temperature, granule radius and the co-existence of carbonate ion. The amounts of uranium adsorbed on the adsorbents increased linearly as the external uranium concentration increased. Uranium adsorbed on chitin phosphate easily desorbed with diluted sodium carbonate solution. On the other hand, uranyl and cobalt ions were separated from each other by using chitin phosphate.
Targeting NRAS a Priority for Melanoma Research

Cutaneous melanomas have mutations in the NRAS GTPase in 15% of cases. Compared to melanomas with BRAF mutations, or melanomas ‘‘wild-type’’ for BRAF and NRAS, melanomas with NRAS mutations are more likely to be thicker tumors and to have a higher mitotic rate. Preclinical studies indicate that melanoma cells with NRAS mutations are dependent on NRAS for survival and proliferation, making NRAS an attractive therapeutic target in melanoma. However, to date, therapeutic strategies for NRAS mutant melanomas have not been realized. Promising strategies to target NRAS include targeting the membrane localization of NRAS or reducing expression through the use of therapeutic small interfering RNAs. Finally, use of inhibitors to target downstream signaling through mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase or AKT are now entering clinical trials, and if these combinations can be safely delivered at sufficient dose to inhibit the targets, there is significant potential to target NRAS mutant melanoma.
Effect of storage temperature at 7°C on the physical-chemical and microbiological quality of industrialized cooked chicken breast meat

The effect of storage temperature at 7°C on the physical-chemical and microbiological quality of industrialized cooked chicken breast meat was analyzed. Frozen cooked breast meat supplied from a poultry-processing industry was used. Fillets were stored at a prescribed temperature (7°C) for 15- 17 days and the sample's chemical composition and initial pH was determined. Color, texture and microbiology were analyzed to determine the shelf-life of the cooked chicken breast meat. Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli were not detected. The highest values of Chroma a* were observed at 312 and 360 hours, exhibiting an intense red color resulting from meat deterioration. Chroma b* failed to show any significant difference between the first and last day of storage. Lightness (L*) was decreased with storage time and revealed a darker color caused by microbial spoilage. Texture decreased from 2.93 to 1.12 kgf. It may be concluded that shelf-life attended to expectations with regard to texture, color and microbiology of cooked chicken breast meat stored at 7°C during 13 days.
Dual Role of a Ricinoleic Acid Derivative in the Aqueous Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles

We show that sodium 9,10-epoxy-12-hydroxytetradecanoate (SEAR), an epoxidized derivative of ricinoleic acid, simultaneously functioned as reducing and stabilizing agents in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles in alkaline aqueous medium. The advantage of using SEAR is its biodegradability and nontoxicity, which are important characteristics for mitigation of environmental impact upon discharge of nanoparticles into terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The SEAR concentration was found to impact considerably the size distribution of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). A concentration below the SEAR critical micelle concentration (CMC) generated 23 nm sized AgNPs with 10 nm standard deviation, while 50 nm sized AgNPs ( nm) were obtained at a concentration above the SEAR CMC. FTIR analysis revealed that the carboxylate that constitutes the SEAR hydrophilic head binds directly to the AgNPs surface promoting stabilization in solution. Finally, AgNPs turned into Ag2S upon contact with wastewater samples from Wastewater Treatment Plant at Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Brazil, which is an interesting result, since Ag2S is more environmentally friendly than pure AgNPs.