Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Poverty penalty and microfinance Gutiérrez-Nieto, Beatriz Cuéllar Fernández and Yolanda Fuertes-Callén

A poverty penalty arises when the poor pay more than the non-poor to access goods and services. An example is the cost to access credit. While still high, microcredit interest rates are lower than the interest rates charged by moneylenders. Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) usually justify the high interest rates on grounds of the high risk involved in microcredit, the high fixed cost associated with small loans and the high financial expenses borne by MFIs given their difficulty in deposit collection. After identifying and quantifying poverty penalty in different countries, this paper focuses on the Colombian case. The study questions the above justifications because the causes are more closely related to a lack of efficiency, and sometimes, to an eager desire for profits. Abstract A poverty penalty arises when the poor pay more than the non-poor to access goods and services. An example is the cost to access credit. While still high, microcredit interest rates are lower than the interest rates charged by moneylenders. Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) usually justify the high interest rates on grounds of the high risk involved in microcredit, the high fixed cost associated with small loans and the high financial expenses borne by MFIs given their difficulty in deposit collection. After identifying and quantifying poverty penalty in different countries, this paper focuses on the Colombian case. The study questions the above justifications because the causes are more closely related to a lack of efficiency, and sometimes, to an eager desire for profits. the non-poor when borrowing. The Colombian case was examined by empirically analyzing the Effective Interest Rate (EIR) of several financial products offered by different financial institutions, including MFIs and commercial banks. The study finds that microcredit interest rates are higher than other financial product rates, though they are far from moneylender rates.
Thoughtfulness and Psychological Well-Being

Recent research indicates that concepts related to thoughtfulness, such as mindfulness, need for cognition, and openness to experience are related to specific components of psychological well-being. However, little research has directly examined the relation between thoughtfulness and general psychological well-being. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to examine this relation. Ninety-six university students completed the Langer Mindfulness Scale, the Need for Cognition Scale, and the Openness to Experience Scale. Significant correlations emerged between each of the living thoughtfully variables (mindfulness, need for cognition, and openness to experience), and psychological well-being. Only mindfulness accounted for significant variance in psychological well-being independently of the other two variables. Also, the Langer Mindfulness Scale showed acceptable internal consistency and criterion-related validity.
Structure and electrophysical properties of materials based on nanoparticles of oil asphaltenes

This paper is a generalization of the authors’ works in the ﬁeld of asphaltene physics fulﬁlled in recent years. Spe- ciﬁc features of the "insulator-semiconductor" phase transition in high-boiling hydrocarbon fractions are discussed. It is shown that the active resistance of the samples decreases with heating to ( 65 − 85 ) 0 C. At the same time, the concentration of paramagnetic centers increases, which is conﬁrmed by the EPR. The growth of electrical conductivity in high-boiling hydrocarbon fractions containing asphaltenes is caused by the temperature generation of charge carriers – free radicals (spins) formed as a result of the rupture of weak carbon-carbon bonds in molecules weakened by conjugation with aromatic rings. The energy of rupture of such bonds is rather low and can be as low as 40 kJ/mol. All these facts conﬁrm the hypothesis of the authors that in the samples a phase transition occurs from the "insulator" state to the "semiconductor" state. The dielectric-semiconductor phase transition is also due to the generation of stable free radicals, since they are strong electron acceptors and reduce the width of the forbidden band of the material. Quantum-chemical calculations conﬁrm this hypothesis. In addition, quantum-chemical calculations of the supramolecular, molecular, and electronic structure of asphaltene nanoparticles have been carried out. An experimental study of asphaltene crystallites by the AFM method was carried out. Theoretical calculations are reasonably conﬁrmed by the AFM data.
Alloreactive Rat Natural Killer Cells Identification of an Inhibitory MHC Receptor on

Studies of allogeneic lymphocyte cytotoxicity have shown that the rat NK allorecognition repertoire is controlled by genetic elements in both the MHC (RT1) and the NK gene complex (NKC). DA rats, possessing NK cells that are unable to lyse allogeneic lymphoblasts, were immunized with alloreactive NK cells from MHC-matched PVG.1AV1 rats, and two mAb, STOK1 and STOK2, were generated. STOK1 and STOK2 stained identical subsets of NKR-P1 1 T and NK cells from certain strains of rats. Relative numbers varied markedly in a panel of MHC congenic strains, however, implicating a role for self MHC genes in their development. Both STOK1 and STOK2 immunoprecipitated a 110-kDa disulﬁde-linked homodimeric molecule, with extensive N-linked glycosylations, encoded by a gene that mapped to the NKC. NK cells expressing this glycoprotein displayed an increased ability to lyse allogeneic lymphoblasts, while syngeneic targets were spared. However, blockade of the STOK2 Ag with F(ab * ) 2 of STOK2 permitted the NK lysis of syngeneic targets, but did not affect NK allorecognition. These results indicate that mAb STOK1 and STOK2 identify an NKC-encoded MHC receptor in the rat that acts as a negative regulator of cytotoxicity. TheJournalofImmunology, 1998, 160: 219–224.
Involvement of the Leucine Response Transcription Factor LeuO in Regulation of the Genes for Sulfa Drug Efﬂux (cid:1) †

LeuO, a LysR family transcription factor, exists in a wide variety of bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae and is involved in the regulation of as yet unidentiﬁed genes affecting the stress response and pathogenesis expression. Using genomic screening by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) in vitro, a total of 106 DNA sequences were isolated from 12 different regions of the Escherichia coli genome. All of the SELEX fragments formed complexes in vitro with puriﬁed LeuO. After Northern blot analysis of the putative target genes located downstream of the respective LeuO-binding sequence, a total of nine genes were found to be activated by LeuO, while three genes were repressed by LeuO. The LeuO target gene collection included several multidrug resistance genes. A phenotype microarray assay was conducted to identify the gene(s) responsible for drug resistance and the drug species that are under the control of the LeuO target gene(s). The results described herein indicate that the yjcRQP operon, one of the LeuO targets, is involved in sensitivity control against sulfa drugs. We propose to rename the yjcRQP genes the sdsRQP genes ( s ulfa d rug s ensitivity determinant). , 2 of 50% (Ni-NTA) agarose (Qiagen) lysis Tris-HCl, mM eluted 2 ml of elution imidazole, and dialyzed a storage buffer mM Tris-HCl, mM EDTA, mM dithio-threitol, and 50% glycerol). The LeuO used throughout this was 95% pure, dodecyl
Psychological Safety as an Effective Measurement in Engineering Classrooms

This research full paper investigates that to what extent the psychological safety can predict conflict and cohesion in teams. Background The primary goal for engineering instructors after forming teams is increasing the effectiveness of teamwork. They want all students participate in the projects, learn from the project, and bring their idea into teams. This effectiveness depends on team dynamics. Whereas faculty have used several team outcomes to monitor team dynamics, psychological safety appears to be a useful but underused measurement. Purpose/Hypothesis This study measured the relationship between psychological safety and other teamwork outcomes such as team’s conflict, and the team's cohesion. If they are related, psychological safety can be used as an early warning of team dysfunction. Design/Method We used simple linear regression to find out to what extent the conflict and cohesion can be explained by psychological safety. We conducted two set of simple linear regressions. The first regression was related to the individual’s scores and the second regression was for team’s average scores. Results Psychological safety significantly predicted conflict and cohesion both in individual-level and team-level. Feeling more psychological safety significantly increase cohesion and decrease the conflict. Conclusions Psychological safety is a very promising measure of team dynamics, and we suggest using it to identify dysfunctional teams with low cohesion and high conflict.
Knowledge, attitude and utilization of evidence-based practice among nurses in Tertiary Hospitals

The increase demand for healthcare, technology advancement and knowledge explosion has necessitated a paradigm shift from nursing practice which was based on intuition and tradition to evidence-based practice in nursing. EBP is a concept that has not been widely utilized by most nurses working in clinical setting in Nigeria according to previous documentation. Therefore, this study aimed to explore and describe the perception and utilization of evidence-based practice among nurses working in Federal Teaching Hospital in Edo state. A cross sectional descriptive survey design was adopted to assess the perception and utilization of evidence-based practice among nurses working in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria; Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and University of Benin Teaching Hospital both in Edo State. A sample size of 334 nurses working in the two teaching hospitals in Edo state was obtained using a proportionate sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was a standardized tool titled “evidence-based practice questionnaire. Data collected were coded and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics of chi-square to summarize and describe the characteristics of the respondents and establish the relationships of the study variables and the respondents’ demographic characteristics. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the nurses are RN/RM (51.8%, n=158) while only (25.5%, n=87) are degree holder. The study further revealed that majority of the respondents has a good knowledge of evidence-based practice (90.2%, n=275). There was a significant association between the nurses’ years of working experience and their knowledge of EBP (p = .030). There was also a significant relationship between knowledge of EBP and it utilization (p=.001). Hence, there is need for the hospital managements and nursing leader’s to motivate nurse to continue to use evidence-based practice as a tool to provide nursing services that is safe, sound, high quality, cost effective. Furthermore, evidence-based practice culture and mentors should be created within the hospitals .
Effects of Acute and Chronic Exposure to the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Agonist 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo- p -Dioxin on the Transition to Reproductive Senescence in Female Sprague-Dawley Rats 1

Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) can occur in polluted environments, either from smoking-related toxicants or from endogenous ligands. We tested whether acute or chronic exposure to the AHR agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodiben-zo- p -dioxin (TCDD) alters the transition to reproductive senescence in female Sprague-Dawley rats. In experiment 1, rats (n ¼ 6 per experimental group) received a single dose of 0 or 10 l g/kg of TCDD orally (p.o.) on Postnatal Day 29. Vaginal cytology was monitored for 1 wk each month until rats were killed at 1 yr of age. The single prepubertal exposure to TCDD hastened the transition to reproductive senescence in female rats and was associated with delayed puberty, abnormal cyclicity, and premature reproductive senescence. In a second experi- ment, rats were exposed to TCDD chronically through weekly dosing (0, 50, or 200 ng kg (cid:2) 1 wk (cid:2) 1 p.o. , n ¼ 7 each dose) beginning in utero. Lifelong exposure to these lower doses of TCDD induced a dose- and time-dependent loss of normal cyclicity and significantly hastened the onset of the transition to reproductive senescence ( P , 0.05). This premature transition to reproductive senescence was associated with prolonged estrous cycles and, at the highest dose of TCDD, persistent estrus or diestrus. The number and size of ovarian follicles were not altered by TCDD. Diestrous concentrations of LH in rats exposed chronically to TCDD were similar to those in controls, whereas progesterone tended to be elevated at both doses of the dioxin ( P , 0.08). Serum FSH was elevated in the group exposed to 50 ng/kg of TCDD ( P , 0.02), whereas estradiol was decreased at both doses of dioxin ( P , 0.01). Data thus far support endocrine disruption rather than depletion of follicular reserves as a primary mechanism of the premature transition to reproductive senescence following activation of the AHR pathway by TCDD in female rats.
Recessive Solution of Half-linear Second Order Difference Equations

Dedicated to Allan Peterson on the Occasion of His 60th Birthday. The concept of the recessive solution of the (nonoscillatory) half-linear second order difference equation is introduced. Basic properties of this solution are established and new oscillation and conjugacy criteria involving the recessive solution of (*) are proved.
Dynamic Remodeling of the Membrane Is Triggered by the Initiation of Biomineralization.

Magnetotactic bacteria produce chains of membrane-bound organelles that direct the biomineralization of magnetic nanoparticles. These magnetosome compartments are a model for studying the biogenesis and subcellular organization of bacterial organelles. Previous studies have suggested that discrete gene products build and assemble magnetosomes in a stepwise fashion. Here, using an inducible system, we show that the stages of magnetosome formation are highly dynamic and intercon-nected. During de novo formation, magnetosomes ﬁrst organize into discontinuous chain fragments that are subsequently connected by the bacterial actin-like protein MamK. We also ﬁnd that magnetosome membranes are not uniform in size and can grow in a biomineralization-dependent manner. In the absence of biomineralization, magnetosome membranes stall at a diameter of ~50 nm. Those that have initiated biomineralization then expand to signiﬁcantly larger sizes and accommodate mature magnetic particles. We speculate that such a biomineralization-dependent checkpoint for membrane growth establishes the appropriate conditions within the magnetosome to ensure successful nucleation and growth of magnetic particles. IMPORTANCE Magnetotactic bacteria make magnetic nanoparticles inside membrane-bound organelles called magnetosomes; however, it is unclear how the magnetosome membrane controls the biomineralization that occurs within this bacterial organelle. We placed magnetosome formation under inducible control in Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 and used electron cryo-tomography to capture magnetosomes in their near-native state as they form de novo . An inducible system provided the key evidence that magnetosome membranes grow continuously unless they have not properly initiated biomineralization. Our ﬁnding that the size We show that magnetosomes formed in the absence of a preexisting chain
Treating Women with Genito-Pelvic Pain/ Penetration Disorder: Influences of Patient Agendas on Help-seeking

This study sought to investigate the help-seeking experiences and motivations of women seeking treatment for Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD) that are important for coping with this chronic health condition in community health care settings. Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD) is a common chronic genital pain condition, affecting anywhere from 3-18% of women in the general population, that can cause significant personal and relational burden. Twenty-six Australian women with GPPPD (50% with provoked and localized vulvodynia; age range 19-43 years) participated in either two interviews or an on-line survey designed to gather information about treatment seeking for GPPPD. Data was thematically analysed using grounded theory and phenomenological methods. The women reported treatment support from a variety of community health care professionals (HCPs), and which support they perceived as not always helpful. Three consultation expectancies were identified. First, that the HCP would validate the reality of their symptoms to comprise a treatable condition, second that an HCP who was knowledgeable about GPPPD likely would be patient centered, and third that a strong treatment alliance with the HCP was important for the successful management of GPPPD. GPPPD can cause significant personal and relational burden, and those afflicted require responsive community health services for health related quality of life. 2. marked genital or pelvic pain during attempted or actual intercourse, 3. significant fear of pain as a result of vaginal penetration, and 4. tensing or tightening of the pelvic floor muscles during attempted vaginal penetration [8]. GPPPD is a new diagnosis that subsumes a number of diagnoses, including vulvodynia and vaginismus 10].
Phenotypic, bio-chemical and molecular characterization of potential endophytic bacterial isolates and evaluation of endophytic bacterial formulations and extracted antibiotic substances under glass house conditions

A total of 22 chickpea dry root rot causing pathogen Rhizoctonia bataticola isolates and 40 antagonistic endophytic bacteria were isolated from chickpea roots which are collected from different chickpea growing districts of Andhra Pradesh. Cultural and morphological variability among the pathogen isolates were studied by growing on PDA and observed variation in colony growth rate, colour, texture, time taken to grow full plate, Sclerotial initiation, Sclerotial density, Sclerotial size and shape. Among the 14 potential endophytic bacterial isolates, Gram negative (7) and Gram positive (7) were recorded in equal proportion and all were rod shaped bacteria. Out of the 14 isolates, a total of 9, 7, 2, 1, 2, 3, 3, 13, 6, 3 and 0 showed positive for amylolytic activity (starch hydrolysis), proteolytic activity (Gelatin hydrolysis), lactose utilization, indole production, methyl red test, Voges-Proskeur test, citrate utilization, presence of catalase activity, ammonia production, HCN production and siderophore production respectively. 16S r DNA sequence analysis was used to identify the potential bacterial isolates such as CREB 9, CREB 21 and CREB 37 and which were exhibited close similarity of 97.75, 98.48 and 93.28 percent with Enterobacter cloacae , Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis respectively. Under glasshouse conditions, among the treatments T7 (seed treatment with potential bacterial antagonist (talc formulation) @10 g kg-1 + soil application with talc based formulation of potential bacterial antagonist @100 g pot-1) was found to be superior as it recorded maximum germination percent, plant height, root length, dry weight and least percent disease incidence compared to other treatments.
(cid:2) -Arrestin-1 mediates thyrotropin-enhanced osteoblast differentiation

Thyrotropin (TSH) activation of the TSH receptor (TSHR), a 7-transmembrane-spanning receptor (7TMR), may have osteoprotective properties by direct effects on bone. TSHR activation by TSH phos-phorylates protein kinases AKT1, p38 (cid:3) , and ERK1/2 in some cells. We found TSH-induced phosphorylation of these kinases in 2 cell lines engineered to express TSHRs, human embryonic kidney HEK-TSHR cells and human osteoblastic U2OS-TSHR cells. In U2OS-TSHR cells, TSH up-regulated pAKT1 (7.1 (cid:4) 0.5-fold), p38 (cid:3) (2.9 (cid:4) 0.4-fold), and pERK1/2 (3.1 (cid:4) 0.2-fold), whereas small molecule TSHR agonist C2 had no or little effect on pAKT1 (1.8 (cid:4) 0.08-fold), p38 (cid:3) (1.2 (cid:4) 0.09-fold), and pERK1/2 (1.6 (cid:4) 0.19-fold). Furthermore, TSH increased expression of osteoblast marker genes ALPL (8.2 (cid:4) 4.6-fold), RANKL (21 (cid:4) 5.9-fold), and osteopontin ( OPN ; 17 (cid:4) 5.3-fold), whereas C2 had little effect ( ALPL , 1.7 (cid:4) 0.5-fold; RANKL , 1.3 (cid:4) 0.6-fold; and OPN , 2.2 (cid:4) 0.7-fold). (cid:2) -Arrestin-1 and -2 can mediate activatory signals by 7TMRs. TSH stimulated translocation of (cid:2) -arrestin-1 and -2 to TSHR, whereas C2 failed to translocate either (cid:2) -arrestin. Down-regulation of (cid:2) -arrestin-1 by siRNA inhibited TSH-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 (cid:3) , and AKT1, whereas down-regulation of (cid:2) -arrestin-2 increased phosphorylation of AKT1 in both cell types and of ERK1/2 in HEK-TSHR cells. Knockdown of (cid:2) -arres-tin-1 inhibited TSH-stimulated up-regulation of mRNAs for OPN by 87 (cid:4) 1.7% and RANKL by 73 (cid:4) 2.4%, and OPN secretion by 74 (cid:4) 10%. We conclude that TSH enhances osteoblast differentiation in U2OS cells that is, in part, caused by activatory signals mediated by (cid:2) -arres-tin-1. —Boutin, A. , Eliseeva, E. , Gershengorn, M. C. , Neumann, S. -Arrestin-1 mediates thyrotropin-enhanced osteoblast differentiation. FASEB J. 28, 3446–3455 (2014).
Spherical symmetry and hydrostatic equilibrium in theories of gravity

Static, spherically symmetric solutions of the Einstein-Maxwell equations in the presence of a cosmological constant are studied, and new classes of solutions are derived. Namely the charged Einstein static universe and the interior and exterior charged Nariai spacetimes, these solutions form a subclass of the RNdS solution with distinct properties. The charged Nariai solutions are then matched at a common boundary. When constructing solutions to gravitational theories it is important that these matter distributions remain in hydrostatic equilibrium. If this equilibrium is lost, with internal gravitational forces dominating internal stresses, the solution will collapse under its gravitational field. An upper bound on the mass-radius ratio Mg/R for charged solutions in de Sitter space is derived, this bound implies hydrostatic equilibrium. The result is achieved by assuming the radial pressure p≥0 and energy density ρ≥0, plus p+2p⊥≤ρ where the tangential pressure p⊥≠ p. The bound provides a generalisation of Buchdahl's inequality, 2M/R ≤8/9, valid for Schwarzschild's solution. In the limit Q→0, Λ→0, the bound reduces to Buchdahl's inequality. Solutions in hydrostatic equilibrium are also considered in modified f(T) gravity. It is shown that the tetrads eⁱμ impact the structure of the field equations, and certain tetrads impose unnecessary constraints. Two particular tetrads are studied in more detail, solutions are then found for both tetrads, and a conservation equation is obtained using an analogous method to obtaining the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equation. Although both tetrad fields locally give rise to the spherically symmetric metric, the tetrad fields are not globally well-defined and hence cannot be described as spherically symmetric. We then derive an upper bound on M/R which also implies hydrostatic equilibrium, this yields some constraints on the form of f(T) given a particular tetrad that locally gives rise to the line element ds²=exp(a)dt²-exp(b)dr²-r²dΩ².