Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Central Bank Independence, Fiscal Deficits, and the Poverty Trap

This paper shows that multiple steady states occur if a central bank is not independent and is compelled to finance a large fiscal deficit through seigniorage. If the initial capital stock is less than a certain threshold, the economy converges to a steady state where the capital stock is low and the inflation rate is high. Tight fiscal policies bring the economy out of the poverty trap. Moreover, if the central bank is independent, the poverty trap is removed independently of the fiscal position.
Teachers' Perceptions of Personal and Social Responsibility Improvement through a Physical Education-Based Intervention

The aim of this study is to assess teachers’ perception of the Personal and Social Responsibility Model (TPSR) in their students’ responsibility behaviors. The participants were 16 physical education teachers (12 men and 4 women), whose ages varied from 27 to 51 years old. They applied the TPSR in 714 students (395 boys and 319 girls), whose ages ranged from 11 to 16 years old (Mage=14.02; SD=1.73), through physical education lessons (twice a week) during twelve weeks. The Spanish version of the Personal and Social Responsibility Questionnaire (PSRQ) was the evaluation of the physical education lessons. The results referring to teachers’ perception showed that the students in the experimental groups improved in personal and social responsibility variables after the application of the TPSR model. The implications of this study are discussed.
Evaluation of Empathetic Skills of Nurses Working in Oncology Units in Samsun, Turkey

Background: Oncology clinics are special areas in terms of interaction and communication with the patient. In order to improve patient care, nurses working in these clinics need to develop their empathy skills. Nurses with enhanced empathic abilities can understand the patient and provide the necessary assistance. Aim : This study aims to measure and evaluate the empathic skills of nurses working in oncology units. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 50 nurses working in the oncology clinics of two hospitals in a Turkish city. The research data were collected through demographic information form and Empathic Ability Scale. The data obtained were evaluated using the SPSS 15.0 package program. Results :Of the nurses participating in the study, 82% were married, 50% had a bachelor's degree, and 42% had chosen the profession through their own decisions. The research revealed that 50% of the nurses worked in pediatric oncology and 40% had professional experience less than five years. The mean score for Empathic Ability Scale in these oncology nurses was calculated as 147.7 ± 19. We found no statistically significant correlation between the empathy scores and their socio-demographic characteristics, working units, tasks, and duration of work in oncology (p>0.05). However, there was a significant relationship between the empathy scores and choosing the profession through their own decisions (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, we found that nurses with a bachelor’s degree, those who chose the profession of their own accord, and those reported having difficulties in communication with patients had better empathetic skills.
Effects of GABAergic transmissions on the immunoreactivities of calcium binding proteins in the gerbil hippocampus

Although reduced calcium binding protein (CBP) immunoreactivities in the epileptic hippocampus have been well established, it has been controversial that these changes may directly indicate neuronal degeneration. In the present study, therefore, we investigated CBP expressions in the gerbil hippocampus following treatment with γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor antagonists in order to assess whether altered CBP expressions are the result of either abnormal excitation or indicative of neuronal damage/degeneration. Seizure‐sensitive (SS) gerbils showed a loss/decline of CBP immunoreactivities in some hippocampal neurons as compared with seizure‐resistant (SR) gerbils. In muscimol (GABAA receptor agonist) treated SS gerbils, expression levels of CBP were enhanced as compared with saline‐treated SS gerbils. Bicuculline (a GABAA receptor antagonist) treatment markedly reduced CBP immunoreactivities in hippocampal neurons of the SR gerbil. Baclofen (a GABAB receptor agonist) treatment increased CBP immunoreactivities in the hippocampus of SS gerbils, although its effect was lower than that of muscimol treatment. Moreover, phaclofen (GABAB receptor antagonist) treated SR gerbil showed reduction in calbindin D‐28K immunoreactivity, not parvalbumin immunoreactivity, in the hippocampus. These findings therefore suggest that reduced CBP immunoreactivities may be the consequence of abnormal discharge caused by loss of GABAergic inhibition rather than an indication of the neuronal damage/degeneration. J. Comp. Neurol. 485:153–164, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ALTERNATIVE FMD EMERGENCY VACCINATION STRATEGIES IN THE MIDWESTERN UNITED STATES

Abstract An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the United States would likely result in major costs to producers, consumers, and government. How animal health officials manage such an outbreak has substantial impact on probable losses. Without an emergency FMD vaccination strategy, producer and consumer losses of an FMD outbreak in the midwestern United States would likely approach $188 billion, and government costs would likely exceed $11 billion. In contrast, a high-capacity emergency vaccination program together with a large vaccination zone would reduce median consumer and producer losses to approximately $56 billion and government costs to a little more than $1 billion.
Modulation of the anti‐acetylcholine receptor response and experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis by recombinant fragments of the acetylcholine receptor

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disorder of man caused by a humoral response to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Most of the antibodies in MG and in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) are directed to the extracellular portion of the AChR α subunit, and within it, primarily to the main immunogenic region (MIR). We have cloned and expressed recombinant fragments, corresponding to the entire extracellular domain of the AChR α subunit (Hα1 – 210), and to portions of it that encompass either the MIR (Hα1 – 121) or the ligand binding site of AChR (Hα122 – 210), and studied their ability to interfere with the immunopathological anti‐AChR response in vitro and in vivo. All fragments were expressed as fusion proteins with glutathione S‐transferase. Fragments Hα1 – 121 and Hα1 – 210 protected AChR in TE671 cells against accelerated degradation induced by the anti‐MIR monoclonal antibody (mAb)198 in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, these fragments had a similar effect on the antigenic modulation of AChR by other anti‐MIR mAb and by polyclonal rat anti‐AChR antibodies. Fragments Hα1 – 121 and Hα1 – 210 were also able to modulate in vivo muscle AChR loss and development of clinical symptoms of EAMG, passively transferred to rats by mAb 198. Fragment Hα122 – 210 did not have such a protective activity. Our results suggest that the appropriate recombinant fragments of the human AChR may be employed in the future for antigen‐specific therapy of myasthenia.
Monitoring of Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Load in Peripheral Blood by Quantitative Competitive PCR

ABSTRACT A competitive quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) assay combined with simple silica-based DNA extraction was developed for monitoring of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA load in unfractionated peripheral blood. The Q-PCR is based on competitive coamplification of a highly conserved 213-bp region of the EBNA-1 open reading frame with an internal standard (IS), added in a known concentration. The IS has the same amplicon length and base composition as the wild-type (WT) EBNA-1 amplicon but differs in 23 internally randomized bases. Competitive coamplification yields two PCR products that are quantified by enzyme immunoassay or by electrochemiluminescence detection, with probes specific for the 23 differing internal nucleotides. The Q-PCR has a sensitivity of 10 copies of either WT or IS plasmid DNA. The Q-PCR was validated by quantification of known amounts of plasmid containing the WT EBNA-1 target. Furthermore, we determined EBV genome copy numbers in different cell lines. For EBV quantification in clinical samples, DNA was isolated from lysed whole blood by silica-affinity purification. Forty-six percent of healthy donor peripheral blood samples were positive by Q-PCR. In most of these samples, viral load was less than 2,000 EBV copies/ml of blood. In peripheral blood samples from two AIDS-related non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients, elevated EBV loads (up to 120,000 copies/ml) were observed, which decreased upon therapy. In Burkitt’s lymphoma patients, up to 4,592,000 EBV genome copies/ml of blood were detected. In conclusion, the EBNA-1-based Q-PCR assay provides a reproducible, accurate, and easy method for studying the relationship between EBV load and clinical parameters.
Sporadic community-acquired Legionnaires' disease in France: a 2-year national matched case-control study

SUMMARY Legionnaires' disease (LD) is an aetiology of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia in adults, with a high case-fatality ratio (CFR). We conducted a matched case-control study to identify risk factors for sporadic, community-acquired LD. Cases of sporadic, community-acquired and biologically confirmed LD, in metropolitan France from 1 September 2002 to 31 September 2004, were matched with a control subject according to age, sex, underlying illness and location of residence within 5 km. We performed a conditional logistic regression on various host-related factors and exposures. Analysis was done on 546 matched pairs. The CFR was 3·5%. Age ranged from 18–93 years (mean 57 years), with a 3·6 male:female sex ratio. Cases were more likely to have smoked with the documentation of a dose-effect relation, to have travelled with a stay in a hotel (OR 6·1, 95% CI 2·6–14·2), or to have used a wash-hand basin for personal hygiene (OR 3·5, 95% CI 1·6–7·7) than controls. Tobacco and travel have been previously described as risk factors for LD, but this is the first time that such a dose-effect for tobacco has been documented among sporadic cases. These findings will provide helpful knowledge about LD and help practitioners in identifying patients at high risk.
Evaluating interactive search in videos with image and textual description defined target scenes

For non-expert users, basic video players with simple controls are often the tools of choice when searching for specific scenes within videos. Basic actions like play, fast-forward, fast-reverse, positioning using the seeker-bar are familiar and are often preferred over advanced retrieval tools when it comes to interactive search and browsing. In order to get a deeper insight into how users approach such tasks with a simple player, we analyzed the search behavior of two groups of 17 users in two different setups. In both setups the users had to locate an approximately 20 seconds long video sequence within an hour long news video. In the first setup, the users were presented with pictures uniformly sampled from within the target scene as well as a textual description. In the second setup, only the sampled pictures were provided for each target. We asses the impact, in terms of search behavior, of identifying target scenes through sampled images, respectively sampled images and textual descriptions.
Efficiency Of Islamic Banks During Subprime Crisis: Evidence Of GCC Countries

This paper investigates the efficiency of the Islamic bank in GCC countries around the subprime crisis of 2008. The score of efficiency is evaluated by using the Data envelopment approach (DEA). Two different approaches are evaluated; the constant return scale (CRS) and Variable return scale (VRS). Then, a regression panel analysis is employed to examine the relationship between efficiency scores derived from the DEA to a set of explanatory variables combined between macroeconomic variables and microeconomic variables. The main finding of this paper is to show that the Islamic bank remains efficient under subprime crisis.
CTGF promotes articular damage by increased proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are a major component of the hyperplastic synovial pannus, which aggressively invades cartilage and bone during the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF or CCN2) is a product of a growth factor-inducible immediate early gene and is involved in cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. However, the role that CTGF plays in FLS proliferation has remained undetermined. The aim of this study was to identify the role of CTGF in regulating the proliferation of FLS derived from patients with RA. Method: CTGF levels in serum and synovial fluid (SF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of CTGF in FLS was determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). FLS proliferation stimulated by CTGF was measured by thymidine incorporation. The influence of CTGF small interfering RNA (siRNA) on FLS apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Results: CTGF was overexpressed in serum and SF samples from RA patients compared with samples from normal controls. Elevated levels of CTGF in RA SF promoted the proliferation of FLS. Furthermore, in samples from RA patients, CTGF was found to protect FLS from apoptosis and to sustain the expression of survivin in FLS. The expression of CTGF in FLS can be up-regulated by tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that CTGF plays a crucial role in the proliferation of FLS in RA and probably contributes to synovial lining cell hyperplasia and eventually to joint destruction in patients with RA.
Journal of Rural and Community Development

Communication for innovation in agriculture and rural development involves interactive and multi-stakeholder approaches that mobilize ideas and resources from the public and private sectors as well as civil society. Digital tools broadly referred to as Web 2.0 technologies, and in particular, social media such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs and webinars are allegedly channels of communication for innovation. These tools potentially offer support for collective learning processes and co-creation of knowledge. There is little evidence, however, to substantiate that new media are enabling innovation by and among stakeholders of agri-food and rural systems. Are diverse agri-food producers, rural entrepreneurs, scientists or researchers, community-level volunteers and public servants interacting more effectively in Web 2.0 environments? Are social media reinventing agri-food and rural information flows? Employing methods of multiple database searches, review of literature, and content analysis of 50 relevant online communities this paper identifies emerging issues in the development and use of social media in the agri-food and rural sectors with an emphasis on data from Ontario and, to a lesser extent, elsewhere in Canada. Findings suggest that the uptake of social media is still in an early, exploratory phase associated with modest opportunities and relevant limitations of Web 2.0 mediated multi-stakeholder collaboration. Notably, there are gaps in giving and receiving feedback which are intrinsic to dyadic communication as well as innovation processes. Limitations identified include (a) conflicting perceptions among stakeholders about the use, risk, credibility and institutional incentives associated with social media, and (b) lack of capacity that enables use and development of appropriate social media applications. The paper concludes by summarizing the importance of autonomous, user-oriented applications of Web 2.0 tools in agri-food and rural systems.
Eph/ephrin signaling maintains the boundary of dorsal forerunner cell cluster during morphogenesis of the zebrafish embryonic left-right organizer

The Kupffer's vesicle (KV) is the so-called left-right organizer in teleost fishes. KV is formed from dorsal forerunner cells (DFCs) and generates asymmetrical signals for breaking symmetry of embryos. It is unclear how DFCs or KV cells are prevented from intermingling with adjacent cells. In this study, we show that the Eph receptor gene ephb4b is highly expressed in DFCs whereas ephrin ligand genes, including efnb2b, are expressed in cells next to the DFC cluster during zebrafish gastrulation. ephb4b knockdown or mutation and efnb2b knockdown cause dispersal of DFCs, a smaller KV and randomization of laterality organs. DFCs often dynamically form lamellipodium-like, bleb-like and filopodium-like membrane protrusions at the interface, which attempt to invade but are bounced back by adjacent non-DFC cells during gastrulation. Upon inhibition of Eph/ephrin signaling, however, the repulsion between DFCs and non-DFC cells is weakened or lost, allowing DFCs to migrate away. Ephb4b/Efnb2b signaling by activating RhoA activity mediates contact and repulsion between DFCs and neighboring cells during gastrulation, preventing intermingling of different cell populations. Therefore, our data uncover an important role of Eph/ephrin signaling in maintaining DFC cluster boundary and KV boundary for normal left-right asymmetrical development. Summary: During formation of the Kupffer's vesicle (KV) – the left-right organizer in zebrafish – Eph/ephrin signaling prevents KV cells from intermingling with adjacent cells.
Timing of Induction of Osmotically Controlled Genes in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium, Determined with Quantitative Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR

ABSTRACT The signals that control the transcription of osmoregulated genes are not understood satisfactorily. The “turgor control model” suggested that the primary osmoregulatory signal in Enterobacteriaceae is turgor loss, which induces the kdp K+ transport operon and activates the Trk K+ permease. The ensuing increase in cytoplasmic K+ concentration was proposed to be the signal that turns on all secondary responses, including the induction of the proU (proline-glycine betaine transport) operon. The “ionic strength model” proposed that the regulatory signal for all osmotically controlled responses is the increase in the cytoplasmic ionic strength or macromolecular crowding after an osmotic upshift. The assumption in the turgor control model that the induction of kdp is a primary response to osmotic shock predicts that this response should precede all secondary responses. Both models predict that the induction of all osmotically activated responses should be independent of the chemical nature of the solute used to impose osmotic stress. We tested these predictions by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis of the expression of six osmotically regulated genes in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. After shock with 0.3 M NaCl, proU was induced at 4 min, proP and rpoS were induced at 4 to 6 min, kdp was induced at 8 to 9 min, and otsB and ompC were induced at 10 to 12 min. After an equivalent osmotic shock with 0.6 M sucrose, proU was induced with kinetics similar to those seen with NaCl, but induction of kdp was reduced 150-fold in comparison to induction by NaCl. Our results are inconsistent with both the turgor control and the ionic strength control models.
Journey of Doing Quasi-ethnographic Study in Organizations

The current article provides a detailed description of conducting qualitative research process and lived-in experience of a researcher when undertaking doctoral research. The article is written in ‘auto-ethnographic’ way. I studied the kinds of practices MNCs adopt and how these practices were experienced and perceived by Indian employees working in those MNCs. Organizational practices in MNCs is very relevant topic of study and there is dearth of literature in this area, especially in Indian context. This called for an exploratory study and appropriate methodology suitable to study domain which is un-researched and complex. They may require following certain interpretive methods. In particular, Yin’s multiple case study has been used to provide a structure to the research design involving four in-depth case study of an organization. The article presents the factors that convinced me to the appropriateness of a qualitative approach, to a consideration of the outcomes generated. In so doing, it demonstrates the value of using such an approach when undertaking MNCs research.
PROSES PEMBELAJARAN PENDIDIKAN AGAMA ISLAM BAGI ANAK BERKEBUTUHAN KHUSUS DI SDN PERWIRA-KOTA BOGOR

Sebagai warga negara, para penyandang keluarbiasaan mempunyai hak yang sama dengan warga negara lainnya. Sekolah biasa dengan orientasi inklusif (terpadu) ini merupakan sarana paling efektif untuk melawan sikap diskriminatif, menciptakan masyarakat yang mau menerima kedatangan anak luar biasa, membangun masyarakat yang utuh terpadu dan mencapai pendidikan untuk semua. Prinsip pendidikan yang disesuaikan dalam sekolah inklusi menyebabkan adanya tuntutan yang besar terhadap guru reguler, dalam hal ini khususnya guru Pendidikan Agama Islam dalam pelaksanaan proses pembelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam bagi anak berkebutuhan khusus di sekolah inklusi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah : (1). Untuk mengetahui ruang lingkup ( scope ) materi PAI pada di SDN Perwira-Kota Bogor, (2). Untuk mengetahui metode yang digunakan dalam proses pembelajaran PAI, (3). Untuk mengetahui bagaimana guru PAI dalam mengevaluasi proses pembelajaran, (4). Untuk mengetahui faktor penghambat bagi guru PAI dalam melaksanakan proses pembelajaran PAI, (5). Untuk mengetahui faktor penunjang dalam proses pembelajaran PAI, (6). Untuk mengetahui bagaimana pelaksanaan proses pembelajaran PAI. Metode penelitian menggunakan metode kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: 1). Ruang lingkup ( scope ) materi PAI meliputi al-Qur’an, aqidah, akhlak, fiqih, dan sejarah kebudayaan Islam. 2). Metode yang digunakan saat pembelajaran diantaranya yaitu, metode ceramah, metode diskusi, metode demonstrasi, metode latihan, dan metode tanya jawab. 3). Evaluasi proses pembelajaran PAI yaitu membuat kisi-kisi soal yang sesuai dengan standar kompetensi indikator pembelajarannya, membuat butir-butir soal dari masing-masing indikator, mengolah data hasil tes, menganalisis hasil tes, dan mengadakan perbaikan dan pengayaan. 4). Faktor penghambat bagi guru PAI dalam melaksanakan proses pembelajaran PAI diantaranya terdiri dari faktor internal dan faktor eksternal. 5). Faktor penunjang dalam pembelajaran PAI pada yaitu: pengalaman belajar peserta didik dan perhatian orang tua kepada peserta didik saat dirumah. 6). Pelaksanaan proses pembelajaran PAI yaitu: a). Membuat Rencana Pelaksanaan Pembelajaran (RPP), b). Melakukan kegiatan pembelajaran yang sesuai dengan pembuatan RPP.