Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Debt bondage and the tricks of capital

Migrant labourers, free from rural bondage, are now bonded to other sources of debt, contracted from the agro-industry or construction sectors. The flows of migration in the brick-making and sugar cane sectors in Tamil Nadu, where bondage coexists with many public welfare schemes, illustrate the persistence and renewal of this phenomenon. The welfare schemes play the role of a safety net, but also contribute to low wages, and impunity on the part of employers. Alliances between capital and the state, through the politicisation of employers, are instrumental in the continuation of all forms of labour exploitation. When workers resist, employers tighten working conditions and start recruiting migrants from North India. And even if these forms of lab
Is Accurate Prediction of Gait in Nonambulatory Stroke Patients Possible Within 72 Hours Poststroke?

Background. Early prognosis, adequate goal setting, and referral are important for stroke management. Objective. To investigate if independent gait 6 months poststroke can be accurately predicted within the first 72 hours poststroke, based on simple clinical bedside tests. Reassessment on days 5 and 9 was used to check whether accuracy changed over time. Methods. In 154 first-ever ischemic stroke patients unable to walk independently, 19 demographic and clinical variables were assessed within 72 hours and again on days 5 and 9 poststroke. Multivariable logistic modeling was applied to identify early prognostic factors for regaining independent gait, defined as ≥4 points on the Functional Ambulation Categories. Results. Multivariable modeling showed that patients with an independent sitting balance (Trunk Control Test–sitting; 30 seconds) and strength of the hemiparetic leg (Motricity Index leg; eg, visible contraction for all 3 items, or movement against resistance but weaker for 1 item) on day 2 poststroke had a 98% probability of achieving independent gait at 6 months. Absence of these features in the first 72 hours was associated with a probability of 27%, declining to 10% by day 9. Conclusions. Accurate prediction of independent gait performance can be made soon after stroke, using 2 simple bedside tests: “sitting balance” and “strength of the hemiparetic leg. ” This knowledge is useful for making early clinical decisions regarding treatment goals and discharge planning at hospital stroke units.
Omega-3 Supplementation Improves Pancreatic Islet Redox Status: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential changes induced by fish oil (FO) supplementation on the redox status of pancreatic islets from healthy rats. To test whether these effects were due to eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (&ohgr;-3), in vitro experiments were performed. Methods Rats were supplemented with FO, and pancreatic islets were obtained. Islets were also treated in vitro with palmitate (P) or eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid (&ohgr;-3). Insulin secretion (GSIS), glucose oxidation, protein expression, and superoxide content were analyzed. Results The FO group showed a reduction in superoxide content. Moreover, FO reduced the expression of NAD(P)H oxidase subunits and increased superoxide dismutase, without altering &bgr;-cell function. Palmitate increased &bgr;-cell reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis, and impaired GSIS. Under these conditions, &ohgr;-3 triggered a parallel reduction in ROS production and &bgr;-cell apoptosis induced by P and protected against the impairment in GSIS. There was no difference in mitochondrial ROS production. Conclusions Our results show that &ohgr;-3 protect pancreatic islets from alterations induced by P. In vivo FO supplementation modulates the redox state of pancreatic &bgr;-cell. Considering that in vitro effects do not involve mitochondrial superoxide production, we can speculate that this protection might involve NAD(P)H oxidase activity.
Safety and Colon-Cleansing Efficacy of a New Residue-Free Formulation of Sodium Phosphate Tablets

OBJECTIVE:A residue-free sodium phosphate tablet (RF-NaP) was formulated that lacks microcrystalline cellulose, which can appear as a whitish residue in the colon. A multicenter, randomized, investigator-blinded study was conducted to compare the colon-cleansing efficacy of 40 or 32 tablets of RF-NaP with the marketed 40-tablet NaP treatment regimen.METHODS:Eight hundred sixteen patients were randomized prior to colonoscopy to receive either 40 tablets (60 g) of NaP or RF-NaP or 32 tablets (48 g) of RF-NaP. Colon cleansing was assessed using a 4-point scale based on retained “colonic contents. ” The primary end point was overall colon-cleansing response rate to treatment (score of excellent/good) versus nonresponse (fair/inadequate). RESULTS:Seven hundred four patients were included in the efficacy analysis. The overall colon-cleansing response rates were comparable among treatment arms (94.5%, 97.0%, and 95.3% for NaP, RF-NaP 40, and RF-NaP 32 tablets, respectively). Ascending colon-cleansing response rates for RF-NaP 40 (95.7%) and 32 tablets (93.6%) were significantly better than for NaP tablets (88.5%, p < 0.03 for both). Patients treated with RF-NaP 32 tablets experienced less pronounced changes in electrolyte levels and fewer adverse events (138/239, 58%) compared with patients receiving NaP (161/238, 68%, p = 0.07) and RF-NaP 40 tablets (156/236, 66%, p = 0.03). The most common adverse events reported were abdominal distention, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting.CONCLUSIONS:Based on the safety, efficacy, and patient preferences, the 32-tablet RF-NaP regimen was superior to the 40-tablet RF-NaP and NaP regimen for colon cleansing prior to colonoscopy.
Reduced Display of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor I at the Host Cell Surface Supports Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis*

The obligate intracellular human pathogenic bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis has evolved multiple mechanisms to circumvent the host immune system. Infected cells exhibit a profound resistance to the induction of apoptosis and down-regulate the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I and class II molecules to evade the cytotoxic effect of effector immune cells. Here we demonstrate the down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) on the surface of infected cells. Interestingly, other members of the TNFR family such as TNFR2 and CD95 (Fas/Apo-1) were not modulated during infection, suggesting a selective mechanism underlying surface reduction of TNFR1. The observed effect was not due to reduced expression since the overall amount of TNFR1 protein was increased in infected cells. TNFR1 accumulated at the chlamydial inclusion and was shed by the infected cell into the culture supernatant. Receptor shedding depended on the infection-induced activation of the MEK-ERK pathway and the metalloproteinase TACE (TNFα converting enzyme). Our results point to a new function of TNFR1 modulation by C. trachomatis in controlling inflammatory signals during infection.
Security Analyst Target Prices as Reference Point and Takeover Completion

Based on prospect theory, we posit that security analysts’ target prices function as a reference point for takeover bids and affect deal completion. Using a sample of US takeovers from 1999 to 2014, we find a negative relation between target prices for a takeover target and the chances for successful deal completion. High degrees of target price dispersion indicate high reference points for some investors. Accordingly, we find low completion rates when target price dispersion is high. Our results hold for both ultimate deal completion and implied completion probability measured shortly after bids were announced as an alternative measure for completion likelihood.
IS Old World v. New World: Don't Replicate, Obliterate!

The issue of European (old world) versus North American (new world) approaches to research is often conveniently portrayed as a dichotomy between positivist and interpretivist research approaches. While this characterization is overly simplistic, it can then be expressed in a view that European researchers need better training in the North American genre of publishing (Lyytinen et al 2007). However this suggests that instead of being a dichotomy, these research genres are actually operating as a minihierarchy in that the North American model is presented as a superior genre1. Here I want to argue that the North American genre is not necessarily better, and hence adopt Hammer’s terminology of not automating but obliterating existing business processes when re-engineering to argue that in the case of the publishing genre, the exhortation should also be: Don’t Replicate, Obliterate.
Is Environmental Income Reporting Evasive in Household Surveys? Evidence from Rural Poor in Laos

Literature has consistently reiterated that the self-employed non-poor underreport their business income to tax authorities and in household surveys. In this work, we measure the extent to which poor households engaging in illegal environmental activities underreport income in Laos. We use a two year panel data and apply the Engel curve to detect and estimate the reporting gap. We further use a switching probit regression to identify the factors of income underreporting and its impact on income poverty outcomes. Results show that on an average, rural households who earn at least a quarter of their income from the environment underreport by over 50% in household surveys resulting in overestimation of income poverty. Moreover, we find that a perceived threat to food security drives rural poor to engage in illegal environmental extraction.
Positive bio-circuits design for nonlinear biochemical networks

This paper considers the positive bio-circuits design problem for nonlinear biochemical networks. A fuzzy interpolation approach is employed to approximate nonlinear biochemical networks. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, sufficient conditions are developed to guarantee the equilibrium points of nonlinear biochemical networks to be positive and asymptotically stable. It is shown that the conditions could be formulated as a solution to a convex optimization problem, which can be easily facilitated by using the Matlab LMI control toolbox. Finally, a real biochemical network model is given to illustrate the validity of the obtained results.
The Assessment of Speaking Skills at the Tertiary Level

Since “English has become the lingua franca for academic interaction of learners and academics” (Koo, 2009, p. 77), the development of the EFL learners’ oral performance proficiency constitutes the central interest of current English language teaching methodologists and practitioners. The importance of speaking as a productive skill has been echoed in the literature. Indeed, it is viewed as a crucial “part of the curriculum in language teaching … and …an important object of assessment as well” (Luoma, 2004, p. 1). Thus, the prime aim of this study is to explore the prevailing conceptions and actual practices of the assessment of EFL learners’ speaking skills at the tertiary level. The respondents of the current research were 20 instructors who taught at the Higher Institute of languages in Gabes and at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in Sfax, Tunisia. To collect the necessary data, a questionnaire survey was utilized. Then, the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS package. The findings revealed that the teachers’ conceptions of assessment are directed towards the development of the learners’ speaking skills. Despite the existence of a number of hardships, the teachers’ classroom teaching practices revealed a compete reliance on authentic, ongoing, organized and thoughtful oral language assessment procedures which were meant to sustain and boost the learners’ oral skill achievements.
Effects of chronic exposure to 950 MHz ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic radiation on reactive oxygen species metabolism in the right and left cerebral cortex of young rats of different ages

Abstract Purpose: To assess the effect of 950 MHz ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic radiation (UHF-EMR) on biomarkers of oxidative damage to DNA, proteins and lipids in the left cerebral cortex (LCC) and right cerebral cortex (RCC) of neonate and 6-day-old rats. Materials and methods: Twelve rats were equally divided into two groups as controls (CR) and exposed (ER), for each age (0 and 6 days). The LCC and RCC were examined in ER and CR after exposure. Radiation exposure lasted 30 min per day for up to 27 days (throughout pregnancy and 6 days postnatal). The specific absorption rate ranged from 1.32–1.14 W/kg. The damage to lipids, proteins and DNA was verified by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, carbonylated proteins (CP) and comets, respectively. The concentration of glucose in the peripheral blood of the rats was measured by the Accu-Chek Active Kit due to increased CP in RCC. Results: In neonates, no modification of the biomarkers tested was detected. On the other hand, there was an increase in the levels of CP in the RCC of the 6-day-old ER. Interestingly, the concentration of blood glucose was decreased in this group. Conclusions: Our results indicate that there is no genotoxicity and oxidative stress in neonates and 6 days rats. However, the RCC had the highest concentration of CP that do not seem to be a consequence of oxidative stress. This study is the first to demonstrate the use of UHF-EMR causes different damage responses to proteins in the LCC and RCC.
Who takes the child to the doctor? Mom, pretty much all of the time

ABSTRACT We document the degree to which Danish mothers are responsible for handling their children’s medical services. Using unique administration data on detailed medical services that were performed on all Danish children from 1992 to 1995, we find that, on average, more than 90% of all children’s medical services were handled by their mothers rather than their fathers. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use medical register data to quantify domestic time use. As these services are mainly performed during work hours, this finding provides one mechanism by which absenteeism increases as a consequence of motherhood. Furthermore, the economic variables that should affect a household’s assignment of a task like taking the child to the doctor are shown to explain very little, suggesting that other factors, such as societal norms, are at play.
Translational and Structural Requirements of the Early Nodulin Gene enod40, a Short-Open Reading Frame-Containing RNA, for Elicitation of a Cell-Specific Growth Response in the Alfalfa Root Cortex

ABSTRACT A diversity of mRNAs containing only short open reading frames (sORF-RNAs; encoding less than 30 amino acids) have been shown to be induced in growth and differentiation processes. The early nodulin geneenod40, coding for a 0.7-kb sORF-RNA, is expressed in the nodule primordium developing in the root cortex of leguminous plants after infection by symbiotic bacteria. Ballistic microtargeting of this gene into Medicago roots induced division of cortical cells. Translation of two sORFs (I and II, 13 and 27 amino acids, respectively) present in the conserved 5′ and 3′ regions ofenod40 was required for this biological activity. These sORFs may be translated in roots via a reinitiation mechanism. In vitro translation products starting from the ATG of sORF I were detectable by mutating enod40 to yield peptides larger than 38 amino acids. Deletion of a Medicago truncatula enod40 region between the sORFs, spanning a predicted RNA structure, did not affect their translation but resulted in significantly decreased biological activity. Our data reveal a complex regulation of enod40action, pointing to a role of sORF-encoded peptides and structured RNA signals in developmental processes involving sORF-RNAs.
Treatment management of first permanent molars in children with Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation.

AIM To study the treatment management of first permanent molars in children with Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective analysis. METHODS The records of the clientele of a private paediatric dental practice were scanned. Thirty-six cases of children fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of MIH were retrieved who had been followed for a mean period of 4.5 years, and 36 children of matching age and gender, and with similar follow-up period, were randomly selected from the same clientele to serve as controls. RESULTS Children in the MIH group exhibited greater DMFS and smaller dmfs scores. The frequency of restorative intervention was greater in children of the MIH group (OREST=11.00, 95% C.I. 2.85-42.45). Stainless-steel crowns had been placed only on MIH group molars. The follow-up records revealed that only restorations in the MIH group needed retreatment. Fillings and sealants in the MIH group had a greater probability of needing retreatment than in the control group (OREST=3.10, 95% C.I. 1.60-6.01). CONCLUSIONS Children affected by MIH may need to undergo a significant amount of restorative treatment at an early age. Moreover, fillings and sealants in MIH affected children have a greater probability of needing retreatment than in control group children.
Electrophysiological properties of neurones in the region of the paraventricular nucleus in slices of rat hypothalamus.

1. Neurones in the region of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the rat were studied with intracellular recording in the coronal slice preparation. Three types of hypothalamic neurones were distinguished according to their membrane properties and anatomical positions. Lucifer Yellow or ethidium bromide was injected intracellularly to determine the morphology of some recorded cells. 2. The most distinctive electrophysiological characteristic was the low‐threshold depolarizing potentials which were totally absent in type I neurones, present but variable in type II neurones and very conspicuous in type III neurones. Type II neurones generally showed relatively small low‐threshold depolarizations (26.5 +/‐ 2.2 mV) which generated at most one to two action potentials. Type III neurones, on the other hand, generated large low‐threshold potentials (40.3 +/‐ 2.8 mV) which gave rise to bursts of three to six fast action potentials. Deinactivation of the low‐threshold conductance in both type II and type III neurones was voltage‐ and time‐dependent. Low‐threshold potentials persisted in TTX (1‐3 microM) but were blocked by solutions containing low Ca2+ (0.2 mM) and Cd2+ (0.5 mM), suggesting they were Ca(2+)‐dependent. 3. Type I neurones had a significantly shorter membrane time constant (14.5 +/‐ 1.7 ms) than those of type II (21.6 +/‐ 1.7 ms) and type III neurones (33.8 +/‐ 4.4 ms). Input resistance and resting membrane potential did not differ significantly among the cell groups. 4. Current‐voltage (I‐V) relations were significantly different among the three cell types. Type I neurones had linear I‐V relations to ‐120 mV, while type III neurones all showed marked anomalous rectification. I‐V relations among type II neurones were more heterogeneous, although most (75%) had linear I‐V curves to about ‐90 to ‐100 mV, inward rectification appearing at more negative potentials. 5. Type I neurones generated fast action potentials of relatively large amplitude (64.2 +/‐ 1.1 mV, threshold to peak) and long duration (1.1 +/‐ 0.1 ms, measured at half‐amplitude); the longer duration was due to a shoulder on the falling phase of the spike. Type II neurones had large spikes (66.5 +/‐ 1.6 mV) of shorter duration (0.9 +/‐ 0.1 ms) with no shoulder. Type III neurones had relatively small spikes (56.1 +/‐ 2.2 mV) of short duration (0.8 +/‐ 0.1 ms) with no shoulder. 6. The three cell populations showed different patterns of repetitive firing in response to depolarizing current pulses. Type I neurones often generated spike trains with a delayed onset and little spike‐frequency adaptation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Effects of intensive endurance exercise on DNA damage in leucocytes.

OBJECTIVE It has been shown that highly intensive anaerobic exercise induces DNA damage in leucocytes (LEU). The present study was designed to investigate whether intensive endurance exercise is capable of inducing comparable effects. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A prospective study. PARTICIPANTS Twelve men (aged 27.3 +/- 4.1 years) who undertook a regular training of different extent (running volume 45 +/- 25 km.week-1) volunteered in the study. INTERVENTIONS The subjects competed in a half marathon (HM) of 21.1 km, 93.0 +/- 10.4 min. MEASUREMENTS Blood was taken at rest, 1 and 24 hrs after HM for determination of creatine kinase, neutrophil (PMN), lymphocyte and monocyte counts. DNA damage in LEU at rest and 24 hrs after HM was quantified using the single cell gel-electrophoresis (SCG) assay. RESULTS PMN increased from 2.81 +/- 0.69 to 13.13 +/- 2.91 1 hrs after HM (p < 0.01) and returned to 3.26 +/- 0.47 10(9) cells.l-1 by 24 hr recovery. DNA migration (image length, IL) reflecting the extent of DNA damage was elevated significantly in 10 of 12 subjects one day after HM. IL rose from 32.7 +/- 2.2 to 40.7 +/- 3.9 microns (p < 0.01). Correlation analysis revealed a relationship between DNA migration 24 hrs after HM and PMN count 1 hr post-exercise (r = 0.67, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results confirm the hypothesis that DNA damage in LEU occurs after intensive endurance exercise. We suppose our observation of exercise-induced DNA damage in LEU is affected by reactive oxygen species which are released from PMN. It is quite unclear whether DNA damage in LEU is causal involved in exercise-induced modifications of the immune system.
RB localizes to DNA double-strand breaks and promotes DNA end resection and homologous recombination through the recruitment of BRG1

Vélez-Cruz et al. show that RB localizes to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) dependent on E2F1 and ATM kinase activity and promotes DSB repair through homologous recombination (HR), and its loss results in genome instability. RB is necessary for the recruitment of the BRG1 ATPase to DSBs, which stimulates DNA end resection and HR.
ESSAYS ON THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP AND BOND MARKETS

Since the issuance of the first credit default swap (CDS) contract in 1994, trading volume in CDS has been growing exponentially, transforming a niche market into a multi-trillion-dollar market. The subprime crisis in the US and the sovereign crisis in the EU contributed to raise concerns on the potential destabilising role of such an instrument. Thus, also the academic literature started to hotly debate the benefits and costs that trading in CDSs has on both the financial market and the real economy. The aim of this study is to review some segments of the literature on CDSs, and to identify existing gaps and room for further research. After discussing the features of CDSs and the relative welfare implications, we survey theoretical studies which model CDS pricing, empirical literature exploring the determinants of CDS spreads, and papers which study the relationship between CDSs and their underlying assets.
Looking Beyond Tenure in China's Collective Forest Tenure Reform: Insights from Yunnan Province, Southwest China

SUMMARY The Chinese government has carried out ambitious reforms in the country's collective forest sector since 2003. Based on two case studies from Yunnan Province, this paper examines the effects of China's Collective Forest Tenure Reform with regard to villagers' participation in their implementation of the reform, their effects on formal tenure rights and the changes to actual tenure rights on the basis of two case studies from Yunnan. The case studies show that higher levels of participation by villagers can lead to changes in formal and actual tenure rights that bring these rights more into line with national objectives. Thus, decentralization may be a critical precondition for successful forest tenure reform in China and beyond.