Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are Seminars on Export Promotion Effective? Evidence from a Randomised Controlled Trial

This paper investigates the impacts of informational and motivational seminars on export promotion targeting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the traditional apparel and textile clusters in Vietnam. To control for biases due to self-selection, we conducted a randomized controlled trial and invited randomly selected firms to participate in one-day seminars. Because only some of the invited firms participated in the seminars, we employ an instrumental variable approach in which dummies for random invitation are used as instruments for quantifying participation. We find that the seminars had no significant effect on most firms' preparation for, perception of, or engagement in exporting activity. However, the seminars encouraged large firms and firms with prior export experience, which possibly embody higher productivity and absorptive capacity, to (re-)start exporting. Our results suggest that productivity improvement is an effective means to encourage underdeveloped firms to export, whereas provision of information is effective for productive firms.
Uptake and translocation of p,p′‐dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene supplied in hydroponics solution to Cucurbita

Field studies show shoots of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) accumulate various hydrophobic contaminants from soil, although many other plants do not, including cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). To investigate the mechanism for this uptake, we presented p,p′‐dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) to these two species in hydroponics solution. A mixture of DDE bound to Tenax™ beads stirred with a solution of water passing through a reservoir provided a flowing solution containing DDE at approximately 2 μg/L for many weeks duration. Approximately 90% of the DDE supplied in solution was adsorbed on the roots of both cucumber and zucchini. Less than 10% of the sorbed DDE was released subsequently when clean solution flowed past these contaminated roots for 9 d. The shoots of both species accumulated DDE, but the fraction that moved from the roots to the shoot in zucchini, ranging from 6 to 27% in various trials, was 10‐fold greater than that in cucumber, 0.7 to 2%. The gradient in DDE concentration in zucchini tissues was in the order root > stem > petiole > leaf blade, indicating the movement was through the xylem in the transpiration stream. Some DDE in leaf blades might have been absorbed from the air, because the concentration in this tissue varied less with time, position in trough, or species, than did DDE in stems and petioles. The remarkable ability of zucchini to translocate DDE could not be attributed to differences in tissue composition, growth rate, distribution of weight among plant parts, or in the leaf area and rate of transpiration of water from leaves. Some other factor enables efficient translocation of hydrophobic organic contaminants in the xylem of zucchini.
Play in the Ontario Grade 1 Classroom: Teacher Beliefs and Barriers to Greater Implementation

This study explored Ontario Grade 1 teacher beliefs and practices regarding play as an element of developmentally appropriate practice. The results, which are drawn from six interviews conducted with Ontario Grade 1 teachers, indicate that lack of time, insufficient funding, the school environment, inadequate professional development regarding play, and the Ontario curriculum constrained Grade 1 teachers from carrying out greater play activities within their program. This research underscores a shift in pedagogy between kindergarten and Grade 1, and that the early primary classroom is a difficult environment in which to carry out developmentally appropriate practices.
Association between Year of Birth and Cognitive Functions in Russia and the Czech Republic: Cross-Sectional Results of the HAPIEE Study

Objectives: To assess differences in cognitive functions by year of birth in Russia and the Czech Republic. Methods: A cross-sectional study in the general population of Novosibirsk (Russia) and 6 cities of the Czech Republic recruited random samples of men and women (3,874 Russians, 3,626 Czechs) aged 45–69 years in 2002 (i.e. born in 1933–1957). Word recall, verbal fluency (number of animals named in 1 min) and letter search were assessed in a clinic. Results: Except letter search in men, we found similar levels of cognitive functioning in Russians and Czechs in the youngest subjects and a steeper association of functioning with year of birth in Russia than in the Czech Republic. For example, the difference in the mean word recall, associated with 10 years difference in year of birth, was 0.9 (SE 0.06) words in Russian men, compared to 0.4 (0.06) words in Czech men; in women, these figures were 0.8 (0.05) and 0.3 (0.05), respectively. For all outcomes, except letter search in men, the interactions between year of birth and country were statistically highly significant, and the differences in the year of birth effects between countries were largely unexplained by socioeconomic indicators and risk factors. Conclusion: The slope of association between lower cognitive functioning and earlier year of birth is much steeper in Russia than in the Czech Republic. Given that poor cognitive functioning is a risk factor for dementia, long-term follow-up of this cohort and other studies into population rates of cognitive impairment in Russia should be a priority.
Effect of three mycotoxin adsorbents on growth performance, nutrient retention and meat quality in broilers fed on mould-contaminated feed

1. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of an esterified glucomannan (EGM), a hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) and a compound mycotoxin adsorbent (CMA) on performance, nutrient retention and meat quality in broilers fed on mould-contaminated feed. Mould-contaminated diets were prepared by replacing half of the non-contaminated maize in the basal diets with mould-contaminated maize, which contained 450·6 µg/kg of aflatoxin B1, 68·4 µg/kg of ochratoxin A and 320·5 µg/kg of T-2 toxin. 2. The mould-contaminated diet significantly decreased body weight gain (BWG) between 10 and 21 d, feed intake (FI) between 35 and 42 d, the apparent retention of crude lipid and phosphorus, and the lightness (L*) value of breast and thigh muscle. It also significantly increased the redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) value in breast muscle and the b* value in thigh muscle. 3. The addition of 0·2% HSCAS significantly increased FI between 35 and 42 d and the apparent retention of phosphorus. Supplementation with 0·1% CMA in the contaminated diet significantly improved BWG from 10 to 21 d, and increased FI from 35 to 42 d and from 10 to 42 d. CMA also significantly increased the apparent retention of crude lipid, crude protein, ash and phosphorus. All three mycotoxin-adsorbent treatments significantly improved the L* values of breast and thigh muscle when compared with the mould-contaminated group. Supplementation with 0·1% CMA in the contaminated diet significantly decreased b* value and improved tenderness in thigh muscle. 0·05% EGM significantly decreased b* value of thigh muscle compared to mould-contaminated group. 4. The results indicated that mycotoxins in contaminated feed retard growth, nutrient retention and meat quality, whereas the addition of 0·05% EGM, 0·2% HSCAS or 0·1% CMA prevents the adverse effects of mycotoxins to varying extents, with 0·1% CMA being the most effective adsorbent treatment.
[Effects of greater-than-5% weight reduction on hemodynamic, metabolic and neuroendocrine profiles of grade I obese subjects].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of a greater-than-5% weight reduction in hemodynamic, metabolic, and neuroendocrine profiles of grade I obese subjects. METHODS Observational study with 47 grade I obese subjects, with mean age of 33 years who received monthly orientation regarding diet, physical exercises, and eating behavior for four months. Blood pressure using the auscultatory method and pulse rate were assessed monthly, whereas the following variables (and respective methods) were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study: total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol (enzymatic method), LDL-cholesterol (Friedewald formula), blood glucose (hexokinase method), leptin, adiponectin, renin, aldosterone, insulin (radioimmunoassay) and insulin-resistance index (HOMA). RESULTS After adjustment for other variables, significant reductions of 6 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure, 7 pg/ml in renin, 13 mg/dl in total cholesterol and 12 mg/dl in LDL-cholesterol were observed in the greater-than-5% weight reduction group. Also, a tendency to a higher increase in adiponectin levels by the end of the study, as well as a three-fold higher reduction in blood glucose, insulin, and HOMA levels, and a six-fold higher reduction in leptin levels were observed in this group. CONCLUSION Non-pharmacological measures that promote a greater-than-5% weight reduction produce hemodynamic, metabolic, and neuroendocrine effects that improve the cardiovascular risk of obese subjects.
Laryngeal abductor reinnervation with a phrenic nerve transfer after a 9-month delay.

BACKGROUND Successful restoration of laryngeal abductor function, using the phrenic nerve, has been described in the cat model in the acute phase. However, in clinical practice there is usually a considerable delay between injury to the RLN and presentation for treatment. Delayed reinnervation therefore would be more suitable in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE To test the feasibility of delayed selective abductor reinnervation following transection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). MATERIALS AND METHODS In 12 cats, the right RLN was severed. Nine months later, the phrenic nerve was anastomosed to the distal RLN stump with all its branches directed toward the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle. For 10 weeks after the reconstruction, electromyography and videolaryngoscopy were performed weekly. Finally, histological analysis of the RLN was performed. RESULTS Evaluation was possible in 11 cats. Reinnervation of the right posterior cricoarytenoid muscle with the phrenic nerve occurred in 10 cats following nerve anastomosis, but results of videolaryngoscopy showed adequate to good abduction in only 4 cats. The main limiting factor was reduced mobility of the cricoarytenoid joint. Evidence of spontaneous subclinical reinnervation after the delay was observed in 7 cats but apparently did not impede the surgical reinnervation. CONCLUSIONS Delayed selective laryngeal abductor reinnervation was feasible, but function recovery was less successful than if performed immediately. Future investigations should concentrate on early determinants of spontaneous restoration of function to allow early selection of patients who are eligible for reinnervation surgery.
The Earliest Thymic Progenitors in Adults Are Restricted to T, NK, and Dendritic Cell Lineage and Have a Potential to Form More Diverse TCRβ Chains than Fetal Progenitors1

T cell progenitors in the adult thymus (AT) are not well characterized. In the present study, we show that the earliest progenitors in the murine AT are, like those in fetal thymus (FT), unable to generate B or myeloid cells, but still retain the ability to generate NK cells and dendritic cells. However, AT progenitors are distinct from those in FT or fetal liver, in that they are able to produce ∼100 times larger numbers of T cells than progenitors in fetuses. Such a capability to generate a large number of T cells was mainly attributed to their potential to extensively proliferate before the TCRβ chain gene rearrangement. We propose that the AT is colonized by T/NK/dendritic cell tripotential progenitors with much higher potential to form diversity in TCRβ chains than FT progenitors.
On the Concavity of the Sum-Rate Function in OFDM Systems

We study the power allocation problem for maximizing the sum rate in orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing systems, where multiple point-to-point links share a set of subcarriers. This problem is hard to solve, in general, due to its nonconvexity. In this letter, we characterize the conditions for the problem to be convex, in which case the problem can be solved efficiently using known algorithms such as gradient projection method. We validate our analysis through simulations.
c‐Rel promotes type 1 and type 17 immune responses during Leishmania major infection

Recent studies demonstrated the crucial role of c‐Rel in directing Treg lineage commitment and its involvement in T helper 1 (Th1) cell‐mediated autoimmune inflammation. We thus wondered whether these opposite functions of c‐Rel influence the course of antiparasitic immune responses against Leishmania major, an accepted model for the impact of T‐cell subsets on disease outcome. Here we show that c‐Rel‐deficient (rel−/−) mice infected with L. major displayed dramatically exacerbated leishmaniasis and enhanced parasite burdens. In contrast to WT mice, IFN‐γ and IL‐17 production in response to L. major antigens was severely impaired in rel−/− mice. Reconstitution of Rag1−/− T‐cell deficient mice with rel−/− CD4+ T cells followed by L. major infection demonstrated that c‐Rel‐deficient T cells mount normal Th1 responses and are able to contain the infection. Similarly, Th1 differentiation of naïve CD4+ cells in vitro was normal. Notably, a selective defect in IL‐12 and IL‐23 production was observed in rel−/− DCs compared with their WT counterparts. In conclusion, our data suggest that the expression of c‐Rel in myeloid cells is essential for clearance of L. major and that this c‐Rel‐mediated effect is dominant over the lack of Tregs.
Validity of the Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test in Psychiatric Inpatients

This study investigated the validity of the Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST), a brief measure of malingering, in an inpatient psychiatric sample of 70. Among those patients who also completed the Personality Assessment Inventory (N = 44), Total M-FAST score was related in the expected directions to the Personality Assessment Inventory validity scales and indexes, providing evidence for concurrent validity of the M-FAST. With the PAI malingering index used as a criterion, we examined the diagnostic efficiency of the M-FAST and found a cut score of 8 represented the best balance of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive power, and negative predictive power. Based on this cut-score of 8, 16% of the population was classified as malingering. The M-FAST appears to be an excellent rapid screen for symptom exaggeration in this population and setting.
Effect of Polymorphic CYP3A5 Genotype on the Single‐Dose Simvastatin Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Subjects

Simvastatin, a cholesterol‐lowering agent, is mainly metabolized by CYP3A4/5. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of CYP3A5*3 genotype on the pharmacokinetics of simvastatin in humans. Twenty‐two men with CYP3A5*1/*1 (n = 4), CYP3A5*1/*3 (n = 8), or CYP3A5*3/*3 (n = 10) genotypes were enrolled. Each subject ingested a 20‐mg dose of simvastatin, and plasma simvastatin concentrations were measured for 12 hours after dosing. The mean (±SD) area under the plasma concentration‐time curve for simvastatin in the CYP3A5*1/*1 carriers (4.94 ± 2.25 ng • h/mL) was significantly lower than CYP3A5*3/*3 carriers (16.35 ± 6.37 ng • h/mL; P = .013, Bonferroni test). The mean (±SD) oral clearance was also significantly different between CYP3A5*1/*1 carriers (4.80 ± 2.35 L/h) and CYP3A5*3/*3 carriers (1.35 ± 0.61 L/h; P < .05, Dunn's test). However, other pharmacokinetic parameters including peak plasma concentrations and half‐life did not show any difference between genotype groups. These findings suggest that the polymorphic CYP3A5 gene affects the disposition of simvastatin and provides a plausible explanation for interindividual variability of simvastatin disposition.
Biomechanical responses of healthy and keratoconic corneas measured using a noncontact scheimpflug-based tonometer.

PURPOSE To examine the repeatability of measurements obtained using a noncontact Scheimpflug-based tonometer (Corvis ST) and investigate potential differences in these parameters between healthy and keratoconic (KC) corneas. METHODS Forty-five keratoconic eyes and 103 healthy eyes were examined using biomicroscopy, corneal tomography and the Corvis ST (CST). RESULTS Intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness (CCT) were highly repeatable (intraclass correlation [ICC] > 0.70, coefficient of variation [CV] < 0.20). Deformation amplitude (DA) and applanation-1 time (A1T) were fairly repeatable (ICC > 0.60, CV < 0.20). There was no association between DA and age, sex, or ethnicity in healthy eyes. There was a greater mean DA in the KC group compared with 46 age-matched healthy eyes (KC 1.37 ± 0.21 mm, healthy 1.05 ± 0.11 mm, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed DA in KC was predicted by IOP, CCT, and the steepest simulated keratometry value (P = 0.03, P = 0.03, P = 0.001 respectively, R(2) = 0.75). A subgroup analysis of healthy and KC eyes with comparable mean CCT and IOP highlighted a statistically significant difference in mean DA (KC 1.25 ± 0.08 mm, thin healthy 1.13 ± 0.09 mm, P = 0.006). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.77 (95% CI 0.61-0.93, P = 0.006) but no ideal cutoff value for DA. CONCLUSIONS Key parameters assessed by the CST are repeatable. Keratoconus is associated with greater DA than in healthy eyes, even when controlled for CCT and IOP. Deformation amplitude may be a useful adjunct in keratoconus assessment and monitoring, but cannot solely discriminate between healthy and keratoconic corneas.
Amino acid transport and cell volume regulation in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells.

Cellular and extracellular concentrations of amino acids were measured in Ehrlich ascites cells by amino acid analysis and by distribution of radioactive amino acids between cells and medium. Dilution of the medium results in a reduction in the cellular concentration of non‐essential amino acids and taurine and an equivalent increase in the extracellular content of these amino acids. The membrane potential and the electrochemical gradient of sodium were measured. The decrease in the cellular to extracellular gradient of taurine and glycine is not a consequence of a decrease in the sodium gradient but is caused by the changes in osmolarity and cell volume. The unidirectional influx and efflux of glycine and taurine were measured as the initial influx of [14C]glycine and [35S]taurine, using a rapid filter technique. For both amino acids the rate constants for influx are decreased and the rate constants for efflux increased following a reduction in osmolarity. The taurine and glycine fluxes were analysed as a simple pump and leak system. Reduction in osmolarity increases the leak permeability to both taurine and glycine. The results for glycine are also discussed in relation to a Na+‐glycine co‐transport model, where reduction in osmolarity increases the leak permeability to glycine. The cellular permeability to taurine and glycine increases as a function of increasing cell volume. The taurine permeability increases 7‐fold and the glycine permeability 1.5‐fold with an increase in cell volume of 30%. The absolute increase in permeability is equal for both taurine and glycine.
The relationship between building teacher leadership capacity and campus culture

The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods research study was to explore the relationship between building teacher leadership capacity and campus culture in a suburban East Texas school district. Developing teacher leaders by building leadership capacity depends on administrators’ abilities to develop leaders from within the existing staff and to shape campus culture. Results of this mixed methods study yielded findings that identified a statistically significant relationship between teacher leadership capacity and campus culture. Leaders play a role in the culture of corporate and academic organizations, and culture is at the forefront of exemplary performance of both entities. Therefore, administrator and teacher leaders must view culture as a priority and understand that culture is a product of school leadership.
Protein contents in biological membranes can explain abnormal solvation of charged and polar residues

Transmembrane helices are generally believed to insert into membranes based on their hydrophobicity. Nevertheless, there are important exceptions where polar residues have great functional importance, for instance the S4 helix of voltage-gated ion channels. It has been shown experimentally that insertion can be accomplished by hydrophobic counterbalance, predicting an arginine insertion cost of only 2.5 kcal/mol, compared with 14.9 kcal/mol in cyclohexane. Previous simulations of pure bilayers have produced values close to the pure hydrocarbon, which has lead to spirited discussion about the experimental conditions. Here, we have performed computer simulations of models better mimicking biological membranes by explicitly including protein helices at mass fractions from 15% to 55%, as well as an actual translocon. This has a striking effect on the solvation free energy of arginine. With some polar residues present, the solvation cost comes close to experimental observation at approximately 30% mass fraction, and negligible at 40%. In the presence of a translocon in the membrane, the cost of inserting arginine next to the lateral gate can be as low as 3–5 kcal/mol. The effect is mainly due to the extra helices making it easier to retain hydration water. These results offer a possible explanation for the discrepancy between the in vivo hydrophobicity scale and computer simulations and highlight the importance of the high protein contents in membranes. Although many membrane proteins are stable in pure bilayers, such simplified models might not be sufficiently accurate for insertion of polar or charged residues in biological membranes.
Identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia complex, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in respiratory samples from cystic fibrosis patients using multiplex PCR

A multiplex PCR method was developed to identify P. aeruginosa, B. cepacia complex, and S. maltophilia directly in sputum and oropharyngeal samples from CF patients. One hundred and six patients (53 male, and 53 female) attending our pulmonology clinic were studied from September 2000–April 2001. Two hundred and fifty‐seven samples were cultured in selective media and submitted to multiplex PCR reactions, using three primer pairs targeting specific genomic sequences of each species, with an additional primer pair targeting a stretch of ribosomal 16S DNA, universal for bacteria, to act as a control. P. aeruginosa was isolated by culture in 56% of samples, B. cepacia complex in 4.3%, and S. maltophilia in 2.7%, while multiplex PCR identified P. aeruginosa in 78.7%, B. cepacia complex in 3.9%, and S. maltophilia in 3.1% of samples. Multiplex PCR results were verified by PCR reactions using different species‐specific primers described in the literature and DNA sequencing of amplicons from a few samples. Comparing to culture results, the sensitivity and specificity values of multiplex PCR for bacterial identification were, respectively, 97.2% and 45.5% for P. aeruginosa, 45.5% and 97.9% for B. cepacia complex, and 40% and 97.6% for S. maltophilia. All 10 multiplex PCR‐positive results for B. cepacia complex were confirmed using other species‐specific primers described in the literature, while this approach confirmed results for S. maltophilia identification in 7/8 samples (87.5%). Sequencing of amplicons from samples culture‐negative but multiplex PCR‐positive for P. aeruginosa and B. cepacia complex confirmed their identity, while minor nucleotide differences among amplicons ruled out the hypothesis of PCR contamination. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 37:537–547. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.