Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accounting for the International Quantity-Quality Trade-off

We investigate what accounts for the observed international differences in schooling and fertility, and draw lessons for the underlying sources of cross-country income differences. For this purpose, we extend a life-cycle dynastic model to include features relevant for schooling and fertility choices. Our approach allows for country-specific human capital technologies in addition to differences in TFP, public education policies, and demographic factors. We find that differences in human capital production functions, specifically in the degree of complementarity of educational investments, are key to match schooling data, and result in novel estimates of human capital stocks and TFP levels. According to the model, differences in TFP, public education spending per pupil and retiree survival rates are the most important factors explaining the international dispersion of fertility. Differences in the number of years of public education provision and working-age survival rates are key determinants of the schooling dispersion. Our model suggests that human capital policies are key for development.
Has Inflation Sustainably Reached Target

A key measure of inflation finally reached the Fed? s 2% target in July after remaining persistently below that for years after the end of the last recession. Analysis shows that most of the increase in personal consumption expenditures price inflation towards the Fed? s target can be attributed to acyclical factors and are not due to a strengthening economy. While risks to the outlook for inflation appear broadly balanced, they include the considerable possibility that inflation has not yet sustainably reached target.
Complement C3 contributes to ethanol‐induced liver steatosis in mice

Background. It is becoming increasingly clear that liver steatosis, a typical early consequence of alcohol exposure, sensitizes the liver to more severe inflammatory and fibrotic changes. On the other hand, activation of the key complement component C3, a central player in causing inflammation and tissue damage, is also known to be involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism. This prompted us to study the development of alcoholic liver steatosis in mice lacking C3 (C3−/−). Results. Both C3−/− and normal C3+/+ mice were fed a steatosis‐promoting high‐fat diet with or without ethanol for 6 weeks. The diet without ethanol caused moderate liver steatosis in C3−/− but not in C3+/+ mice. As expected, ethanol‐containing diet caused marked macrovesicular steatosis and increased the liver triglyceride content in C3+/+ mice. In contrast, ethanol diet tended to reduce steatosis and had no further effect on liver triglycerides in C3−/− mice. Furthermore, while in normal mice ethanol significantly increased the liver/body weight ratio, liver malondialdehyde level and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, these effects were absent or small in C3−/− mice. A separate experiment with mice on chow diet confirmed the aberrant steatotic effect of ethanol in C3−/−mice: 4 hours after acute dosing of ethanol the liver triglyceride level had increased by 138% in C3+/+ mice (P<0.001), but only by 64% in C3−/− mice (n.s.). Conclusion. In C3−/− mice alcohol‐induced liver steatosis is absent or strongly reduced after chronic or acute alcohol exposure. This suggests that the complement system and its component C3 contribute to the development of alcohol‐induced fatty liver and its consequences.
Activation of autophagy and Akt/CREB signaling play an equivalent role in the neuroprotective effect of rapamycin in neonatal hypoxia-ischemia

We have previously shown that in neonatal rats subjected to hypoxia-ischemia (HI) rapamycin administration increases autophagy, decreases apoptosis and significantly reduces brain damage. After HI, when autophagy is blocked neuronal cells rapidly progress toward necrotic cell death. The present study was undertaken to assess the potential role of activation of autophagic and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt kinase pathways in the neuroprotective effect of rapamycin. Rapamycin administration caused a significant reduction of 70 kDa S6 kinase (p70S6K) phosphorylation and a significant increase of the autophagic proteins beclin 1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), as of monodansylcadaverine (MDC) labelling in the lesioned side. The phosphorylation of Akt and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) was increased in neuronal cells, and both p-Akt and p-CREB co-localized with beclin 1. Wortmannin (WT) administration significantly reduced Akt and CREB phosphorylation as well as the neuroprotective effect of rapamycin but did not affect the phosphorylation of p70S6K, the expression of beclin 1 and LC3, and MDC labelling. In contrast, 3-methyladenine (3MA) reduced the increased beclin 1 expression, the MDC labelling and the neuroprotective effect of rapamycin without affecting Akt phosphorylation. However, both compounds significantly increased necrotic cell death. Taken together, these data indicate that in neonatal HI autophagy can be part of an integrated pro-survival signalling which includes the PI3K-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis. When the autophagic or the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathways are interrupted cells undergo necrotic cell death.
Therapeutic strategies for treatment of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Introduction: Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare progressive lung disease affecting almost exclusively women. Neoplastic growth of atypical smooth muscle-like cells in the lung induces destruction of lung parenchyma leading to the formation of lung cysts, rupture of which results in spontaneous pneumothorax. LAM occurs sporadically or in association with inherited hamartoma syndrome tuberous sclerosis complex. Progression of LAM often results in loss of pulmonary function and death. Increasing understanding of neoplastic LAM cell growth is driving the development of therapeutic approaches targeting the disease progression. Areas covered: This review provides background to understand the rationale for current treatments used in patients with LAM, to critically appraise the evidence for these treatments and to discuss future treatment approaches. The literature review includes publications from PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov/. Expert opinion: Targeting mTOR activation with rapamycin analogs sirolimus and everolimus is awaiting approval by the US FDA for treatment of LAM. A number of other treatment options have been investigated and are currently tested in clinical trials to target LAM cell survival and metastasis. Key remaining and poorly understood areas for development and validation of therapeutic targeting in LAM are destruction of lungs, pathological lymphangiogenesis and hormonal regulation. Future will reveal whether they could be targeted therapeutically.
The precore gene of the woodchuck hepatitis virus genome is not essential for viral replication in the natural host

A number of naturally occurring hepatitis B virus mutants that cannot synthesize the virus precore protein have been identified. Such mutants have been associated with more severe forms of hepatitis, including fulminant hepatitis. The most common mutation observed is a substitution of G to A in the distal precore gene that converts a codon specifying Trp (TGG) to a termination codon (TAG). Using oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, we have produced the same point mutation in the precore gene of an infectious clone of woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV). Transfection of mutant WHV DNA into the livers of adult woodchucks resulted in replication of the mutant in three of three susceptible animals. Levels of virus replication and transient elevations in liver enzymes in serum were similar to those of adult animals infected with wild-type WHV. Virions, found to possess mutant precore genes by polymerase chain reaction amplification and DNA sequencing, were recovered from the serum of one of the animals and inoculated subcutaneously into neonatal woodchucks. They produced infection in all five animals studied. The level of virus replication in neonatal animals infected with this mutant virus was comparable to that found in neonatal woodchucks infected with wild-type WHV, but none of five woodchucks infected with the precore mutant virus as neonates became chronic virus carriers. It was concluded that the precore gene of the WHV genome is not essential for virus replication in the natural host but may be important for chronic infection.
Biochemical plant responses to ozone : I. Differential induction of polyamine and ethylene biosynthesis in tobacco.

Polyamine metabolism was examined in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) exposed to a single ozone treatment (5 or 7 hours) and then postcultivated in pollutant-free air. The levels of free and conjugated putrescine were rapidly increased in the ozone-tolerant cultivar Bel B and remained high for 3 days. This accumulation was preceded by a transient rise of l-arginine decar-boxylase (ADC, EC 4.1.1.19) activity. The ozone-sensitive cultivar Bel W3 showed a rapid production of ethylene and high levels of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid after 1 to 2 hours of exposure. Induction of putrescine levels and ADC activity was weak in this cultivar and was observed when necrotic lesions developed. Leaf injury occurred in both lines when the molar ratio of putrescine to 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid or ethylene fell short of a certain threshold value. Monocaffeoyl-putrescine, an effective scavenger for oxyradicals, was detected in the apo-plastic fluid of the leaves of cv Bel B and increased upon exposure to ozone. This extracellular localization could allow scavenging of ozone-derived oxyradicals at the first site of their generation. Induction of either polyamine or ethylene pathways may represent a control mechanism for inhibition or promotion of lesion formation and thereby contribute to the disposition of plants for ozone tolerance.
Analysis of the Bacillus subtilis spoIIIJ Gene and Its Paralogue Gene, yqjG

ABSTRACT The Bacillus subtilis spoIIIJ gene, which has been proven to be vegetatively expressed, has also been implicated as a sporulation gene. Recent genome sequencing information in many organisms reveals that spoIIIJ and its paralogous gene, yqjG, are conserved from prokaryotes to humans. A homologue of SpoIIIJ/YqjG, the Escherichia coli YidC is involved in the insertion of membrane proteins into the lipid bilayer. On the basis of this similarity, it was proposed that the two homologues act as translocase for the membrane proteins. We studied the requirements for spoIIIJ and yqjG during vegetative growth and sporulation. In rich media, the growth of spoIIIJ and yqjG single mutants were the same as that of the wild type, whereas spoIIIJ yqjG double inactivation was lethal, indicating that together these B. subtilis translocase homologues play an important role in maintaining the viability of the cell. This result also suggests that SpoIIIJ and YqjG probably control significantly overlapping functions during vegetative growth. spoIIIJ mutations have already been established to block sporulation at stage III. In contrast, disruption of yqjG did not interfere with sporulation. We further show that high level expression of spoIIIJ during vegetative phase is dispensable for spore formation, but the sporulation-specific expression of spoIIIJ is necessary for efficient sporulation even at the basal level. Using green fluorescent protein reporter to monitor SpoIIIJ and YqjG localization, we found that the proteins localize at the cell membrane in vegetative cells and at the polar and engulfment septa in sporulating cells. This localization of SpoIIIJ at the sporulation-specific septa may be important for the role of spoIIIJ during sporulation.
Estimation of coronary flow reserve with the use of dynamic planar and SPECT images of Tc-99m tetrofosmin

BackgroundWe developed a noninvasive method to examine coronary flow reserve with technetium 99m tetrofosmin based on the microsphere model. According to the microsphere model, myocardial blood flow (MBF) can be calculated by MBF = q / ∫ C(t)dt, where q is myocardial activity and C(t) is tracer concentration in blood. Because the ratio of ∫ C(t)dt at stress to rest is equal to the ratio of the first transit count in the pulmonary artery (PA) and attenuation factors were canceled out, we calculated the increase ratio of MBF (MBFIR). Methods and ResultsAfter injection of dipyridamole, tetrofosmin was injected as a bolus and serial dynamic planar images were obtained to measure the first transit count in PA (PAC). Myocardial single photon emission computed tomography was performed to measure the regional myocardial count (RMC). MBFIR was calculated as [(RMCs x PACr)/(RMCr x PACs)- 1] x 100, where r and s denote resting and stress conditions, respectively. In contrast, the increase in the myocardial uptake ratio (MURIR) was defined as (RMCs x SCr/RMCr x SCs - 1) x 100, where SC is syringe count of tracer. The results were as follows: (1) The mean MBF of healthy subjects was 46.9% ± 22.8%. (2) MBFIR of the infarcted region and ischemic region was significantly decreased (8.3% ± 12.2% and 11.2% ± 11.9%, respectively; P < .001). (3) MURIR was significantly lower than MBFIR (14.1% ± 21.2%; P < .001). (4) MBFIR decreased according to the heart rate at rest (r = 0.47; P < .05). ConclusionsMBFIR is a potential parameter with which to evaluate coronary flow reserve when the changes of arterial input function during stress are considered.
Towards nanotube fountain pen

A nanotube fountain pen (NFP) is designed for the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) complex nanostructures by adding a reservoir to the injector for electromigration-based deposition (EMBD). This enhanced EMBD technique is prototyped using a metal-filled carbon nanotude (m@CNT) as an pen-tip injector and a network of m@CNTs as a reservoir for continuous mass feeding. The deposition is based on nanofluidic mass flow from the pen-tip nanotube and the continuous mass feeding is implemented by inter-nanotube mass transport of the encapsulated metals. Experimental investigations have been performed using copper-filled CNTs using nanorobotic manipulation inside a transmission electron microscope. The threshold energy for mass delivery and the sizes of nanotube openings are co-related and the size-dependence of the fabricated nanostructures to the nanotubes is revealed. Furthermore, layer-by-layer prototyping processes are developed, and metallic nanostructures with larger dimensions are deposited using a single nanotube. As a general-purposed nanofabrication process for complex metallic nanostructures, nanotube fountain pen will be a key tool to scale up EMBD-based nanostructures.
Corruption, Investment and Economic Growth in WAEMU Countries

The purpose of this paper is to study the relationships between corruption, public investment and economic growth in WAEMU (West Africa Economic and Monetary Union) countries during the period 2001-2014. This, by using a panel VAR (Vector Auto Regressive) model. The results stemming from this empirical study stipulate a significant link between corruption and investment, economic growth and investment, corruption and economic growth. These results also show that corruption reduces the ratio of public investment and has a negative impact on economic growth among WAEMU countries. It has more of a specific effect on investment and affects negatively through this mean countries of the area.
Retrospective analysis of a large patient sample to determine p53 and Ki67 expressions in renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the expression of p53 and Ki67 genes in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its possible clinical value. METHODS A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 1239 patients with RCC was performed to explore the relationship between the expression of Ki67 and p53 proteins and tumor stage, grade and prognosis. RESULTS p53 expression was not significantly correlated with TNM stage and Fuhrman grade (p>0.05); Ki67 expression was significantly correlated with TNM stage and Fuhrman grade (p<0.05). Kaplan-Meier and log-rank survival rate results showed that the prognosis of Ki67 and p53 double-positive group was significantly inferior to the single-positive and negative group (p<0.001). In the multivariate Cox risk regression analysis model, TNM stage, relative risk/RR=3.196, p<0.001), Fuhrman grade (RR=3.196, p<0.001) and Ki67 and p53 double-positive [Ki67 (+) p53 (+) , RR=3.196, p<0.001] were significantly correlated with tumor prognosis, and independent predictors of the patient disease-free survival (DFS). CONCLUSION The combined detection of p53 and Ki67 expressions, which are superior to single marker, could be used to improve significantly the accuracy of prognosis of RCC patients.
Determinants of Audit Engagement Profitability

We examine determinants of audit engagement profitability using proprietary data from the national office of a Big 4 public accounting firm in Canada. We verify through interviews with senior audit partners that the audit realization rate is the primary measure used to assess engagement-level profitability, and use the former to proxy for engagement profitability in our archival analysis. We find that engagement profitability is positively associated with the firm's assignment of lead senior audit managers, as identified by the national office, and its delivery of intangible client service dimensions, such as communication, customization, and responsiveness (obtained from satisfaction surveys of client management and audit committee chairs). We find no evidence that audit quality, measured by discretionary accruals and audit adjustments, is sacrificed to attain higher engagement profitability. We discuss implications for regulation and competition in audit markets.
Increased circulating and intrahepatic T‐cell‐specific chemokines in chronic hepatitis C: relationship with the type of virological response to peginterferon plus ribavirin combination therapy

Aims : To determine the serum and intrahepatic levels of T‐helper‐1‐associated chemokines in patients with chronic hepatitis C before, during and after peginterferon plus ribavirin combination therapy and to search for correlations with baseline characteristics of hepatitis C virus‐related chronic liver disease and type of therapeutic response.
Vegetation Changes and Partitioning of Selenium in 4-Year-Old Constructed Wetlands Treating Agricultural Drainage

The knowledge of selenium (Se) partitioning in treatment wetlands and wetland vegetation management are essential for long-term effective operation of constructed wetlands treating Se-laden agricultural tile-drainage in central California. In this field study, samples from different compartments of treatment wetlands were collected and the vegetation change in each wetland cell was examined four years after the wetland's inception. The results showed that saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) and rabbitfoot grass (Polypogon monspeliensis) were less competitive than cattail (Typha latifolia) and saltmarsh bulrush (Scirpus robustus). Over 90% of the wetland cell originally vegetated with saltgrass or rabbitfoot grass was occupied by invasive plants—i.e., when invasive species were not controlled in the wetlands. More Se was likely found in sediments from vegetated regions, compared to the unvegetated areas of the wetland cell. Particularly, rhizosphere sediments accumulated about 4-fold more Se than non-rhizosphere sediments. Among the total Se retained in the wetland, 90% of the total Se was partitioned in the top 10-cm layer of sediment. The Se accumulation in plant materials accounted for about 2% of the total Se mass retained in each wetland cell. This field study demonstrated that wetland plants play significant roles in the treatment of Se-laden agricultural drainage.
Survey of the Opinions, Knowledge and Practices of Surgeons and Internists Regarding Helicobacter pylori Test-and-Treat Policy

Background Helicobacter pylori infection is highly prevalent and may cause disease in 10% to 15% of infected individuals: duodenal and gastric ulcer, gastric cancer and gastric lymphoma. Guidelines for a test-and-treat policy have been published by the European H. pylori working group in Maastricht. Goals To assess the current approach to H. pylori–related diseases, indications for testing and eradication therapy, among internists and surgeons of a University affiliated medical center. Study A 15-items questionnaire was formulated according to the Maastricht II test-and-treat recommendation and distributed among the physicians of 6 internal medicine departments and the department of surgery. The questionnaires were completed anonymously at the department's staff meeting, under the supervision of the head of the department. All questions required a yes/no answer; the maximum possible score was 15. The relative ratio (RR) of correct answers was calculated for every question and by subgroups as follows: all participants, internists, surgeons, experts and residents in internal medicine and surgery. Results The response rate was 68% (55 out of 80 physicians). Total score for all participants was 10.9 (RR = 0.73), significantly lower than the maximum score of 15 (RR = 1.00). The internists had significantly higher average score than the surgeons for 2 questions: causative agent in gastric cancer (p = 0.003) or gastric lymphoma (p = 0.003), 1 question about triple therapy, PPI, penicillin and azythromycin being not recommended (p = 0.022), and for 1 question of test-and-treat policy: should this strategy apply to family members of gastric cancer patients (p = 0.045). Only 56% of the internists and 21% of surgeons knew what MALToma is, and the correlation with H. pylori infection. Conclusion Knowledge of Surgeons and Internists regarding H. pylori infection and correlation with diseases or test and treat policy should be improved.
GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM FEEDBACK REGARDING THE EMPLOYMENT EFFECTS OF LABOR TAXES

A higher labor tax rate increases the equilibrium real interest rate and reduces the equilibrium wage in a heterogeneous-agent model with endogenous savings and indivisible labor supply decisions. I show that these general equilibrium (GE) adjustments, in particular of the real interest rate, reinforce the negative employment impact of higher labor taxes. However, the representative-agent version of the model, which generates similar aggregate employment responses to labor tax changes, implies that GE feedback is neutral. The cross-country panel data reveal that the negative association between labor tax rates and the extensive margin labor supply is significantly and robustly weaker in small open economies where the interest rate is less tightly linked to domestic circumstances. This empirical evidence supports the transmission mechanism of labor tax changes for employment in the heterogeneous-agent model.
Cleaning the produced water in offshore oil production by using plant-wide optimal control strategy

To clean the produced water is always a challenging critical issue in the offshore oil & gas industry. By employing the plant-wide control technology, this paper discussed the opportunity to optimize the most popular hydrocyclone-based Produced Water Treatment (PWT) system. The optimizations of the efficiency control of the de-oiling hydrocyclone and the water level control of the upstream separator, are discussed and formulated. Some of our latest research results on the analysis and control of slugging flows in production well-pipeline-riser systems are also presented. The ultimate objective of this research is to promote a technical breakthrough in the PWT control design, which can lead to the best environmental protection in the oil & gas production, without sacrificing the production capability and production costs.