Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trade related sectorial infrastructure and exports of belt and road countries: does belt and road initiatives make this relation structurally instable?

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of infrastructure on export in Belt & Road countries during 1990–2017 by applying System GMM approach. The results confirmed the significant and positive impact of aggregate and sub-indices (i.e., transport, telecommunication, energy and financial sector) of infrastructure on export in total sample as well is in grouped samples (like Asia, Europe and Middle East, and Africa). Most importantly, this study also examines the pre and post strategy of Belt and Road initiative (BRI) in total sample of belt and road countries. The empirical outcomes reveal that the coefficient of aggregate and all other sub-indices of infrastructure improved due to BRI which in turn encourage export in the selected economies. Furthermore, the control variables of exchange rate, per capita GDP, domestic investment, and institutional quality have also significant effect on export, which strengthen the role of infrastructure in promoting export in belt & road economies.
Near-infrared intersubband absorption in GaN/AlN quantum wells grown by molecular beam epitaxy

GaN/AlN multiple-quantum-well structures were grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Abrupt interfaces and good periodicity were confirmed. Absorption measurements indicated that intersubband absorptions occurred at wavelengths of 1.3–2.2 μm. Spectral fits by Lorentzians suggested that the well thicknesses fluctuated by two monolayers. The linewidths of the individual fits were as narrow as 80–120 meV. The characteristics of the absorption saturation were investigated at a wavelength of 1.46 μm. A relaxation time of 400 fs and saturation energy density of 0.5 pJ/μm2 were obtained. These results are promising for realizing ultrafast optical switches with energy consumption of the picojoule order.
Trend and Linearity Analysis of Meteorological Parameters in Peninsular Malaysia

Climate change has often led to severe impact on the environment. This study aimed to investigate the monthly trends and linearity of meteorological parameters at four locations during the period from 1970 to 2016. These locations represent the south, north, east, and west of Peninsular Malaysia. The meteorological parameters used were monthly total precipitation (mm) and monthly average temperature (°C). To illustrate the methodology, the Mann–Kendall (MK) trend test and a non-parametric regression model were used. The MK trend test did not indicate significant trends in precipitation, but indicated a trend in temperature for all locations. The Sen value gives the amount of fluctuation of precipitation and temperature for every year. The results of the linearity test exhibited a linear trend for precipitation and temperature for most of the months throughout the study period. Thus, this study gives insights into the monthly trends of meteorological parameters, especially in Peninsular Malaysia.
In silico analysis and molecular characterization of Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus circulating and causing major outbreaks in central India, 2009–2019

Background and Objectives: Influenza A/H1N1pdm09 causes respiratory illness and remains a concern for public health. Since its first emergence in 2009, the virus has been continuously circulating in the form of its genetic variants. Influenza A/H1N1pdm09 surveillance is essential for uncovering emerging variants of epidemiologic and vaccine efficacy. The present study attempts in silico analysis and molecular characterization of Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus circulating and causing major outbreaks in central India during 2009–2019. Materials and Methods: We have investigated the antigenic drift analysis of 96 isolates’ hemagglutinin (HA) gene sequences (59 central Indian and 37 local Indian and 28 global reference HA gene sequences) of Influenza A/H1N1pdm09 viruses from 2009 to 2019. The study includes mutational (Multiple sequence Alignment), phylogenetic (Maximum Likelihood Method), and statistical analysis (Covariance and correlation) of HA sequences submitted in NCBI, IRD and GISAID from central India. Results: Phylogenetic analysis indicated maximum clustering of central Indian HA gene sequences in genogroup 6B. Analysis of amino acid sequence alignment revealed changes in receptor binding site (RBS). The frequency of S220T amino acid substitution was found to be high followed by S202T, K300E A273T, K180Q. The Karl Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and covariance between the number of mutations and the death toll was found +0.246 and +100.3 respectively. Conclusion: The study identifies the continuous genetic variations in the HA gene sequences of circulating Influenza A/H1N1pdm09 in central India from the year 2009 to 2019. Further suggesting importance of monitoring the gradual evolution of the virus with regards to an increase in virulence, pathogenicity and vaccine efficacy timely.
Morphological characteristics of the Ryukyuan paradise fish Macropodus opercularis (Perciformes: Belontiidae)

The paradise fish, Macropodus opercularis , was once thought to have been introduced to the Ryukyu archipelago from China. However, recent analyses have indicated regional differences in their reproductive characteristics. Therefore, the present study compared the morphological characteristics of the Ryukyuan population with those of continental populations from China and Vietnam by analyzing 27 external characteristics and vertebral morphologies in 10 specimens collected from Okinawa Island. The Ryukyuan population showed significantly deeper and wider heads and shorter caudal fins than those of the continental populations, and local variations were observed in some countable characteristics (lateral line scales, caudal vertebrae, and soft rays on the unpaired fins) among the three populations. These results imply the presence of a cryptic local population of paradise fish.
Detection of protein stoichiometric phosphorylation using Phos-tag SDS-PAGE

Protein phosphorylation plays an important role in many cellular signalings which are relating to many diseases. Therefore, a variety of biochemical techniques has been developed to study protein phosphorylation in cells. Protein phosphorylation has traditionally been detected by radioisotope phosphate labeling of proteins with radioactive ATP. Phosphorylation site-specific antibodies are now available for the analysis of phosphorylation status at target sites. However, these antibodies cannot be used to detect unidentified phosphorylation sites. Recently, the Phos-tag technology has been developed to overcome the disadvantages and limitations of these methods. Phos-tag and its derivatives conjugated to biotin, acrylamide, or agarose, and can capture phosphate monoester dianions bound to serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues, in an amino acid sequence-independent manner. The grouping of the Phos-tag will alter the mobility of protein on the gel depending on the amount of serine, threonine or tyrosine which are phosphorylated. Here, we describe the method to detect the phosphorylation of Pop2 protein, one of the exonucleases in the Ccr4-Not complex regulating the shortening of poly(A) tail of mRNAs using phosphate affinity Phos-tag SDS-PAGE. We observed clear electrophoretic 04 shift bands of Pop2-3XFlag under unstressed conditions. This is the first study which observes Pop2 phosphorylation in normal culture conditions. This study showed the convenience and advantages of Phos-tag SDS-PAGE for research on molecular mechanisms regulating the function of protein.
Pressure Drag for Shallow Cumulus Clouds: From Thermals to the Cloud Ensemble

This study takes the first step to bridge the gap between the pressure drag of a shallow cloud ensemble and that of an individual cloud composed of rising thermals. It is found that the pressure drag for a cloud ensemble is primarily controlled by the dynamical component. The dominance of dynamical pressure drag and its increased magnitude with height are independent of cloud lifetime and are common features of individual clouds except that the total drag of a single cloud over life cycle presents vertical oscillations. These oscillations are associated with successive rising thermals but are further complicated by the evaporation‐driven downdrafts outside the cloud. The horizontal vorticity associated with the vortical structure is amplified as the thermals rise to higher altitudes due to continuous baroclinic vorticity generation. This leads to the increased magnitude of local minima of dynamical pressure perturbation with height and consequently to increased dynamical pressure drag.
Intercultural competence in a face-to-face tandem language learning: a micro-analytic perspective

ABSTRACT This article is an investigation into the characteristics of intercultural competence in a face-to-face tandem language learning context between English and Chinese postgraduate students. It examines idiomatic meaning exchanges through the adoption of a conversation analytical perspective. It is a contribution to the existing body of knowledge on intercultural competence and on tandem language learning. However, unlike previous research in this field, this research uses a micro-analytical account of ‘repair’, ‘turn taking practices’, and ‘preference organisation’ in order to unravel the cultural differences between the participants and the ways in which they orient to them in a face-to-face tandem language learning context.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Role of VEGF Gene: An Overview

Purpose: The aim of this review study is to outline rheumatoid arthritis and VEGF participation in rheumatoid arthritis disease development and also to help future researchers in this field. Study Design: A Review Study. Subjects and Methods: A number of research articles were systematically reviewed. More sixty research studies related to rheumatoid arthritis and the role of VEGF Gene were examined. The results of these studies are highlighted and compared. Results: Rheumatoid Arthritis is capable of causing joint damage, moreover, lead to long term disability in severe cases. Mutation in VEGF due to the involvement of multiple factors (environmental, genetic factors etc) lead to severity in RA patients as it has a role in certain inflammatory processes, angiogenesis etc. Further research needs to be done in this field because many of the factors involve in pathogenesis of RA such as factors that cause loss of tolerance and inflammation in joints, are still unclear. Conclusion: Although old diagnostic techniques are optimized, we further need to improve the diagnostic and treatment techniques in order to diagnose the patients at early stage. This will pacify patients’ disease severity and provide certain preventive measure that will assist in preventing the aggravation of disease in family members.
Genotyping validates the efficacy of photographic identification in a capture‐mark‐recapture study based on the head scale patterns of the prairie lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus)

Abstract Population studies often incorporate capture‐mark‐recapture (CMR) techniques to gather information on long‐term biological and demographic characteristics. A fundamental requirement for CMR studies is that an individual must be uniquely and permanently marked to ensure reliable reidentification throughout its lifespan. Photographic identification involving automated photographic identification software has become a popular and efficient noninvasive method for identifying individuals based on natural markings. However, few studies have (a) robustly assessed the performance of automated programs by using a double‐marking system or (b) determined their efficacy for long‐term studies by incorporating multi‐year data. Here, we evaluated the performance of the program Interactive Individual Identification System (I3S) by cross‐validating photographic identifications based on the head scale pattern of the prairie lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus) with individual microsatellite genotyping (N = 863). Further, we assessed the efficacy of the program to identify individuals over time by comparing error rates between within‐year and between‐year recaptures. Recaptured lizards were correctly identified by I3S in 94.1% of cases. We estimated a false rejection rate (FRR) of 5.9% and a false acceptance rate (FAR) of 0%. By using I3S, we correctly identified 97.8% of within‐year recaptures (FRR = 2.2%; FAR = 0%) and 91.1% of between‐year recaptures (FRR = 8.9%; FAR = 0%). Misidentifications were primarily due to poor photograph quality (N = 4). However, two misidentifications were caused by indistinct scale configuration due to scale damage (N = 1) and ontogenetic changes in head scalation between capture events (N = 1). We conclude that automated photographic identification based on head scale patterns is a reliable and accurate method for identifying individuals over time. Because many lizard or reptilian species possess variable head squamation, this method has potential for successful application in many species.
Content analysis of food safety implications in online flour-handling recipes

PurposeNumerous food recalls and outbreaks were associated with wheat flour in recent years. Few consumers are cognizant of food safety risks associated with raw flour. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the food safety information and flour-handling behaviors presented in popular food blog recipes and in YouTube videos using cookie, cookie dough and egg noodle recipes as examples.Design/methodology/approachEighty-five blog recipes and 146 videos were evaluated. Blog author and video host food-handling experience was classified as professional or nonprofessional. Food safety information and food-handling behaviors were evaluated for adherence to government and scientific recommendations.FindingsBlog authors and video hosts demonstrated higher awareness of food safety risks associated with raw eggs compared to raw flour, which only translated into better adherence with recommended food-handling behaviors during ingredient addition steps. Cross-contamination from adding raw flour to the product was observed in 25% of videos, whereas cross-contamination from hosts adding raw shell eggs was observed 3% of videos. Blog authors and video hosts did not recommend or demonstrate handwashing after handling raw shell eggs nor raw flour, and fewer than 5% provided recommendations for cleaning work surfaces. Heat treatment methods to convert raw flour into ready-to-eat products were mentioned by 24% of blog authors and 18% of video hosts; however, the recommendations were not scientifically validated.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates the need to develop educational interventions that increase blog authors' and video hosts' awareness of risks associated with raw flour and that translate this knowledge into practiced behaviors.
The Emergence of Emergent Leadership: A Comprehensive Framework and Directions for Future Research

There has been increasing attention to examining informal (i.e., horizontal), rather than formal (i.e., vertical), approaches to leadership over the last several decades, enhancing our understanding of the dynamics of emergent leadership. Although such research has led to a growing comprehension of the process of, and factors involved in, leader emergence, the literature still lacks theoretical coherence. Without a clear way to connect and synthesize extant research, the time is right for a much-needed comprehensive review. To address this issue, we examine emergent leadership research to date with the aim of developing a concise overview and comprehensive framework of the literature. In doing so, we (1) review past conceptualizations, establish a clear, common definition, and compare emergent leadership to other related constructs; (2) review previous operationalizations and provide recommendations for future measurement; (3) develop a comprehensive organizing framework of existing research; and (4) use our organizing framework, as well as three existing theories related to emergent leadership, to generate a series of detailed suggestions for future research for the next decade and beyond.
Feature Selection to Optimize Credit Banking Risk Evaluation Decisions for the Example of Home Equity Loans

Measuring credit risk is essential for financial institutions because there is a high risk level associated with incorrect credit decisions. The Basel II agreement recommended the use of advanced credit scoring methods in order to improve the efficiency of capital allocation. The latest Basel agreement (Basel III) states that the requirements for reserves based on risk have increased. Financial institutions currently have exhaustive datasets regarding their operations; this is a problem that can be addressed by applying a good feature selection method combined with big data techniques for data management. A comparative study of selection techniques is conducted in this work to find the selector that reduces the mean square error and requires the least execution time.
Amniotic Membrane as a Scaffold for Periodontal Tissue Engineering

Periodontal disease is characterized by the destruction of tooth supporting structures, and continuous destruction of these structures may lead to alveolar bone defects and tooth loss. Periodontal therapy aims to arrest the disease progression as well as to regenerate the loss of structures. Since, the regeneration of these structures is a complex process, cell-based tissue engineering has become one of the methods for periodontal tissue regeneration. In order to give mechanical support to the cells, an amniotic membrane has been proposed as one type of periodontal scaffold, due to its predictable properties. In this review, the integral structure, properties and the recent research in application of amniotic membranes, basically in medical and dental surgeries, along with its potential as a scaffold in periodontal regeneration are highlighted. Amniotic membranes have shown great potential as a suitable substrate/scaffold in in vitro and animal studies; thus provide an alternative for scaffolds materials nowadays. Nevertheless, further studies are required to establish its role and efficacy in periodontal tissue engineering.
Physics of organic semiconductors

Foreword (R.H. Friend) Preface (W. Brutting, C. Adachi) FILM GROWTH, ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE AND INTERFACES 1 Organic molecular beam deposition (F. Schreiber, Tubingen Univ., Germany) 2 Electronic structure of interfaces with conjugated organic materials (N. Koch, HU Berlin, Germany) 3 Electronic structure of molecular solids: Bridge to the electrical conduction (N. Ueno, Chiba Univ., Japan) 4 Interfacial doping for efficient charge injection (J.J. Kim, Seoul National Univ., South Korea) 5 Displacement current measurement for exploring charge carrier dynamics in organic semiconductor devices (Y. Noguchi, Y. Tanaka, Y. Miyazaki, N. Sato, Y. Nakayama, H. Ishii, Chiba Univ., Japan) CHARGE TRANSPORT 6 Effects of Gaussian disorder on charge carrier transport and recombination in organic semiconductors (R. Coehoorn, P.A. Bobbert, Philips Research & Eindhoven Univ. Techn., The Netherlands) 7 Charge transport physics of high mobility molecular semiconductors (H. Sirringhaus, T. Sakanoue, J.-F. Chang, Univ. Cambridge, U.K.) 8 Ambipolar charge carrier transport in molecular field-effect transistors (A. Opitz, W. Brutting, Augsburg Univ., Germany) 9 Organic magnetoresistance (M. Wohlgenannt, Univ. Iowa, U.S.A.) PHOTOPHYSICS 10 Excitons at polymer interfaces (N. Greenham, Univ. Cambridge, U.K.) 11 Electronic processes at organic semiconductor heterojunctions: The mechanism of exciton dissociation in semicrystalline solid-state microstructures (F. Paquin, G. Latini, M. Sakowicz, P.-L. Karsenti, L. Wang, D. Beljonne, N. Stingelin, C. Silva, Univ. Montreal, Canada & Imperial College London, U.K.) 12 Recent progress in the understanding of exciton dynamics within phosphorescentOLEDs (S. Reineke, M. Baldo, MIT, U.S.A.) 13 Organometallic Emitters for OLEDs. Triplet Harvesting, Singlet Harvesting, Case Structures, and Trends (H. Yersin, Regensburg Univ., Germany) DEVICE PHYSICS 14 Doping of organic semiconductors (B. Lussem, M. Riede, K. Leo, Dresden Univ., Germany) 15 Device efficiency of organic LEDs (W. Brutting, J. Frischeisen, Augsburg Univ., Germany) 16 Light outcoupling in organic LEDs (C.-H. Tsai, C.-C. Wu, National Taiwan Univ., Taiwan) 17 Photogeneration and Recombination in Polymer Solar Cells (C. Deibel, A. Baumann, V. Dyakonov, Wurzburg Univ., Germany) 18 Light-emitting organic crystal field-effect transistors for future organic injection lasers (H. Nakanotani, C. Adachi, Kyushu Univ., Japan)
Scattering and Absorption Cross-sections of Atmospheric Gases in the 
Ultraviolet-Visible Wavelength Range (307–725 nm)

Abstract. Accurate Rayleigh scattering and absorption cross-sections of atmospheric gases are essential for understanding the propagation of electromagnetic radiation in planetary atmospheres. Accurate extinction cross-sections are also essential for calibrating high finesse optical cavities and differential optical absorption spectroscopy and for accurate remote sensing. In this study, we measured the scattering and absorption cross-sections of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, oxygen, and methane in the continuous wavelength range of 307–725 nm using Broadband Cavity Enhanced Spectroscopy (BBCES). The experimentally derived Rayleigh scattering cross-sections for CO2, N2O, SF6, O2, and CH4 agree with refractive index-based calculations, with a difference of 1.5 % and 1.1 %, 1.5 %, 2.9 %, and 1.4 % on average, respectively. The O2-O2 collision-induced absorption and absorption by methane are obtained with high precision at the 0.8 nm resolution of our BBCES instrument in the 307–725 nm wavelength range. New dispersion relations for N2O, SF6, and CH4 were derived using data in the UV-vis wavelength range. This study provides improved refractive index dispersion relations, n-based Rayleigh scattering cross-sections, and absorption cross-sections for these gases.
An Exploratory Study to Assess School Principals’ Knowledge of Child Welfare Policies

Because schools are a customary location to conduct child abuse and neglect investigative interviews, this study examines survey results from 109 principals in Tennessee to determine if the Title I status of a school or years of experience as a principal predict awareness of DCS interview policies and an ability to accurately interpret policies related to school-based interviews. A statistically significant relationship was found between the Title I status of a school and principals’ awareness of interview policies. Not all school principals in Tennessee were aware of or could accurately interpret policies for conducting interviews. This study identified principals being more aware of school district issued policies than state-issued policies, and that including the DCS policy as part of school-district policy may increase awareness.
Immediately Expense or Capitalize and Amortize? A New Perspective on Accounting for R&D Expenditures

Prior research suggests an accounting policy to capitalize and amortize R&D expenditures provides decision-useful information to equity investors. However, the economic theory underlying that research was developed for tangible capital and assumes R&D expenditures generate revenues immediately. Based on an alternative economic theory that assumes R&D expenditures generate revenues with a delay, this study predicts and finds an accounting policy to immediately expense R&D expenditures provides more decision-useful information about the expected value of the firm than an accounting policy to capitalize and amortize R&D expenditures. Accounting standards in the United States require firms to immediately expense R&D expenditures, but the Financial Accounting Standards Board is actively considering whether to undertake a project that would change those standards to require capitalization and amortization. This study suggests that changing current accounting standards to require capitalization and amortization is inconsistent with how equity investors value the R&D activities of the firm.