Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Banks in the Czech Monetary Policy Transmission Mechanism

With this work, we aim to enrich the knowledge about the monetary policy transmission mechanism in the Czech Republic with empirical evidence on the impact of monetary policy on bank lending. Using a panel of quarterly time series for Czech commercial banks for the period 1996–2001, we study the overall effect of monetary policy changes on the growth rate of loans and the characteristics of the supply of loans. The characterization of the credit market’s supply side allows us to make inferences on the operativeness of the credit channel (the bank lending channel and the broad credit channel) of the monetary transmission mechanism. We find that changes in monetary policy alter the growth rate of loans with considerably stronger magnitude in the period 1999–2001 than in the period 1996–1998. From the analysis intended to capture the characteristics of the supply of loans, we conclude that the lending channel was operative in the period 1996–1998: we find cross-sectional differences in the lending reactions to monetary policy shocks due to degree of capitalization and liquidity. For the subsequent period 1999– 2001, the results also show distributive effects of monetary policy due to bank size and a bank’s proportion of classified loans. In the context of steadily decreasing interest rates, this bolsters the supposition of credit rationing and hence that of an operative broad credit channel. At the same time, we find evidence of linear relationships between bank characteristics and the growth rate of loans, and again these relationships change between the two time periods. This bodes well with the changes in the structure and attitude towards lending of the Czech commercial
In ammation is Correlated with Abnormal Functional Connectivity in Unmedicated Bipolar Depression: A Resting State FMRI Study

Guixian Tang Jinan University First A liated Hospital https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7401-0963 Pan Chen Jinan University First A liated Hospital Guanmao Chen Jinan University First A liated Hospital Shuming Zhong Jinan University First A liated Hospital Jiaying Gong Sun Yat-sen University Sixth A liated Hospital Hui Zhong University of Jinan Tao Ye Jinan University First A liated Hospital Feng Chen Jinan University First A liated Hospital Jurong Wang Jinan University First A liated Hospital Zhenye Luo Jinan University First A liated Hospital Zhangzhang Qi Jinan University First A liated Hospital Yanbin Jia Jinan University First A liated Hospital Ying Wang (  johneil@vip.sina.com ) Li Huang Jinan University First A liated Hospital
The tumor microbiome is implicated in breast cancer prognosis

Jia Zhu Department of Breast Surgery, The First A liated Hospital of Nanchang University. Jie Wu The Second A liated Hospital of Nanchang University Changgan Mo Hechi Hospital A liated to Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities Siyuan Liang Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center Tao Lian Department of Breast Surgery,The First A liated Hospital of Nanchang University Tiantian Qi Department of Breast Surgery,The First A liated Hospital of Nanchang University Rongbin Qiu Department of Breast Surgery,The First A liated Hospital of Nanchang University Xiaoting Yu Department of Breast Surgery,The First A liated Hospital of Nanchang University Xiuge Tang Hechi Hospital A liated to Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities Biao Wu (  cdyfyrxk@126.com ) The First A liated Hospital of Nanchang University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5123-9201
Management of Vaginal Delivery in a Parturient with Ewing's Sarcoma of the Adrenal Gland

Ewing’s sarcoma is a tumor affecting bone and soft tissue which usually occurs in childhood. Extraosseous primary disease is uncommon. Patients initially diagnosed with local disease have a good cure rate with resection, multiagent chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Older patients with disseminated disease have worse outcomes. We present the rare case of a 31 year old parturient diagnosed with an adrenal tumor during pregnancy, later found to be an Ewing’s sarcoma. As malignancies in pregnancy are rare, few reports of this tumor during pregnancy can be found and those discuss delivery via cesarean. This is a rare case of a patient who delivered vaginally with this tumor. The location and size of this tumor present several considerations for the anesthesiologist if a vaginal delivery is planned.
Intron length polymorphism markers of flower developmental genes for genetic diversity and QTL mapping for oil yield in African oil palm

The yield of oil from the palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is mainly proportional to the number of bunches of fruit and their weights. This is determined by the sex ratio and the ratio of mesocarp to the total dry mass of the bunch. In this study, 139 intron length polymorphism (ILP) markers were developed from 47 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of genes involved in flower development. All ILP primers successfully amplified genomic DNA with products of the expected sizes and 79 markers were found to be polymorphic in a diversity panel of 41 palms. The efficiency of the ILP markers was demonstrated by the average polymorphic information content of 0.34 and the mean observed heterozygosity of 0.42. Genotypes were found to cluster into three major groups, based on pedigree and geographical origin. Thirteen polymorphic ILP markers developed from 11 candidate genes were mapped onto six published oil palm linkage groups corresponding to six oil palm chromosomes. Quantitative trait loci mapping for traits related to oil yield identified the ILP marker developed from AGAMOUS of a MAS-box gene. ILP markers developed from genes involved in flower development in the oil palm provide a powerful tool for the identification of functional markers that are associated with traits determining oil yield.
Title : Efficient method for isolation of high-quality RNA from Psidium 1 guajava L . tissues

15 Background: Acquiring high-quality RNA in sufficient amounts is necessary in plant 16 molecular biology and genetic studies. Several methods of RNA extraction from plants 17 are available in the literature, mainly due to the great biochemical diversity present in 18 each species and tissue, which can complicate or prevent the extraction. Psidium guajava 19 (Myrtaceae family) is a perennial fruit tree of medicinal and economic value; 20 nevertheless, only few molecular and omics studies are available for the species. One 21 reason for this fact is the difficulty in obtaining the RNA due to the content of the samples, 22 which are rich in polyphenols, polysaccharides and secondary metabolites. Furthermore, 23
Knowledge and Practice of Safe Sex among In- School and Out of School Adolescents in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

Background: Adolescence represents one of the critical transitions in lifespan characterized by tremendous pace in growth, development and acquisition of secondary characteristics that occurs between the age 10-19years. Adolescents have been found to be at a high risk for most of the negative consequences ascribed to unsafe sexual practice, such as Sexually Transmitted Infections and unwanted pregnancy. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge and practice of safe sex amongst in-school and out-of-school adolescents Methodology: This was a comparative cross sectional study conducted among 138 inschool and out of school adolescent respectively using quantitative method of data collection. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis, adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used as point and interval estimates respectively on the logistic model while a p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the out of school adolescents was 16.0±2.3 years as compared to14.2±2.4 years among their inschool counterpart with the level of practice of safe sex adjudged to be good among 8(47.1%) and 40 (47.6%) of the respondents in school and those out of school respectively (χ 2 = 0.002; p = 0.966) Conclusion: The study has brought to light the need to constantly provide adolescents either in or out of school with relevant information on safe sex through appropriate channels in order to improve their level of knowledge and practice of sex.
Differences in the Serum 4β-hydroxycholesterol Levels of Patients with Chronic HCV Infection: A Possible Impact on the Efficacy and Safety of IFN-free Treatment

Since the majority of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) that are used in the treatment of HCV infection are mainly metabolized by CYP3A4, it is hypothesized that inter-individual differences in CYP3A4 activity may be associated with the bioavailability of these agents. Methods The level of serum 4β-hydroxycholesterol (4βHC), a surrogate marker of CYP3A4 activity, was determined by LC-MS/MS in samples obtained from patients with HCV infection (CHCs) as well as healthy control subjects (CTLs). Serum samples obtained from patients treated with either asunaprevir/daclatasvir (ASV/DCV) or ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (OTV/PTV/r) were used for additional assays. Results The serum 4βHC level in CHCs was significantly higher than that in CTLs, and a gender difference was seen among CHCs. In patients treated with OTV/PTV/r, the serum 4βHC level was observed to gradually decrease during the treatment period. In the cohort treated with ASV/DCV, 4 of 83 patients showed virological treatment failure. In pretreatment testing, an Invader assay detected a low prevalence of resistanceassociated variants in these four patients. The average serum concentration of DCV/ASV in the treatmentfailed group tended to be lower than that in the SVR group. The pretreatment serum 4βHC level in patients with treatment failure was significantly higher than that in patients with an SVR but in whom the prevalence of resistance-associated variants was low in the pretreatment setting. Conclusion The evaluation of CYP3A4 activity by measuring 4βHC before treatment may provide additional information that can potentially be used to select costand efficacy-optimized treatment of HCV.
A UDIO P ARAMETER M APPING M ADE E XPLICIT U SING W EB A UDIO XML

Soniﬁcation using audio parameter mapping involves both aesthetic and technical challenges and requires interdisciplinary skills on a high level to produce a successful result. With the aim to lower the barrier for students to enter the ﬁeld of soniﬁcation, we developed and presented We-bAudioXML at SMC2020. Since then, more than 40 student projects has successfully proven that the technology is highly beneﬁcial for non-programmers to learn how to create interactive web audio applications. With this study, we present new feature for WebAudioXML that also makes advanced audio parameter mapping, data interpolation and value conversion more accessible and easy to assess. Three student projects act as base for the syntax deﬁnition and by using an annotated portfolio and video recorded interviews with experts from the sound and music computing community, we present important insights from the project. The participants contributed with critical feedback and questions that helped us to better understand the strengths and weaknesses with the proposed syntax. We conclude that the technology is robust and useful and present new ideas that emerged from this study.
I NDIAN M ONSOON V ARIABILITY IN R ESPONSE TO O RBITAL F ORCING 1 DURING THE L ATE P LIOCENE 2

8 The Asian monsoon is a major component of the global climate system and can be divided into two 9 subsystems, the Indian monsoon and the East Asian monsoon. Insights into monsoon behaviour and 10 dynamics can be gained through studying past warm intervals in Earth’s history. One such inte rval is 11 the Pliocene epoch, specifically the mid-Piacenzian Warm Period (mPWP; 3.264 – 3.025 Ma). This 12 time is characterised as a period of sustained warmth, with annual mean temperatures 2 to 3°C higher 13 than the pre-industrial era. Studies have examined the East Asian monsoon during the mPWP from 14 both a geological data and climate modelling perspective. However, there has been little investigation 15 into the behaviour of the Indian monsoon. Using a coupled atmosphere-ocean global climate model 16 (HadCM3), the Indian summer monsoon response to orbital forcing during the mPWP is studied. 17 18 Of the simulated interglacial events (Marine Isotope Stages KM5c, KM3, K1 and G17), MIS KM5c 19 is the only one with a near-modern orbital forcing. This experiment is compared to a pre-industrial 20 simulation to determine the nature of the mPWP Indian summer monsoon in the absence of a different 21 pattern if insolation forcing. The monsoon at MIS KM5c, is simulated to be stronger than pre- 22 industrial, with higher surface air temperatures and precipitation over land due to higher levels of CO 2 . MIS G17, K1, and KM3 represent interglacial events of similar magnitude with different insolation forcing than MIS KM5c. The Indian summer monsoon is simulated to be
Ortaokul Matematik Öğretmen Adaylarının İspat Kavramlarının Fenomenografik Bir İncelemesi

– The capability of pre-service teachers to teach mathematical reasoning depends on the quality of their proof conceptions. This qualitative study focuses on proof conceptions of middle school pre-service mathematics teachers. To this end, this study employed a phenomenographic approach to identify the variation in pre-service teachers’ experience of proof. Analysis of semi-structured interviews revealed five qualitatively different categories: proof is (a) a way of problem-solving, (b) a means for understanding, (c) explaining thinking in a convincing way, d) validating conjectures using logical arguments, and (e) a means for discovery of mathematics. This study contributes to the pedagogical knowledge about a framework of proof conceptions. Results may be used to promote the quality of the mathematics teacher preparation programs. The proof is the stages of the emergence of something geometric or anything mathematically. I admire people who can prove, because. I could never think of that. [PST2, female]
SAD2, an Importin b -Like Protein, Is Required for UV-B Response in Arabidopsis by Mediating MYB4 Nuclear Trafﬁcking W

We report that the Arabidopsis thaliana mutant sensitive to ABA and drought2 ( sad2 ), which harbors a T-DNA insertion in an importin b -like gene, is more tolerant to UV-B radiation than the wild type. Analysis of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer accumulation revealed that less DNA damage occurred in sad2 than in the wild type during UV-B treatment. No signiﬁcant growth difference was observed between sad2 and the wild type when treated with the genotoxic drug methyl methanesulfonate, suggesting that SAD2 functions in UV-B protection rather than in DNA damage repair. Whereas the R2R3-type transcription repressor MYB4 has previously been shown to negatively regulate the transcription of cinnamate 4-hydroxylase ( C4H ) and thus to regulate the synthesis of sinapate esters, expression of both MYB4 and C4H and accumulation of UV-absorbing compounds were signiﬁcantly higher in sad2 than in the wild type. MYB4 did not localize to the nucleus in the sad2 mutant,suggestingthatSAD2isrequiredforMYB4nucleartrafﬁcking. SAD2andMYB4coimmunoprecipitated, indicatingthat these proteinslocalize inthesamecomplexin vivo. MYB4proteinspeciﬁcally bound toitsownpromoteringelshiftassays and repressed its own expression, demonstrating that MYB4 protein and mRNA are part of a negative autoregulatory loop. This feedback loop is altered in the sad2 mutant due to the absence of MYB4 protein in the nucleus, leading to the constitutive expression of MYB4 and C4H and resulting in accumulation of UV-absorbing pigments that shield the plant from UV-B radiation. HPLC was performed on a ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C18 column (Agilent; Narrow-Bore 2.1 3 150 mm, particle size 3.5 mm) at a ﬂow rate of 0.165 mL/min. The elution was performed using a linear elution gradient from 5 to 60% solvent B (CH 3 CN þ HCOOH, 0.1%) in solvent A (H 2 O þ HCOOH, 0.1%) within 30 min. The mass spectral data were collected in the negative mode with the ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray interface. The source voltage was set to 4 kV, and the capillary was heated to 350 8 C. Product peaks were identiﬁed by their massspectrometricfragmentationpatternandrelativetodatareportedin the literature (Veit and Pauli, 1999; Bloor and Abrahams, 2002; Tohge et al., 2005; Abdulrazzak et al., 2006). Flavonol glycosides and sinapoyl derivatives were analyzed according to the supplemental data published by Abdulrazzak et al. (2006).
Tissue after Acute Infection Ex Vivo Cytokine Gene Expression in Lymphoid HIV-1 Does Not Provoke Alteration of

The cytokine response to invading microorganisms is critical for priming the adaptive immune response. During acute HIV infection, the response is disrupted, but the mechanism is poorly understood. We examined the cytokine response in human lymphoid tissue, acutely infected ex vivo with HIV. Lymphoid tissue was cultured either as blocks or as human lymphocyte aggregate cultures (HLAC) of tonsils and lymph nodes. This approach allowed us to examine the effects of HIV on cytokines using distinct culture techniques. In contrast to HLAC, mock-infected tissue blocks displayed a 50- to 100-fold up-regulation of mRNAs for IL-1 (cid:1) , -6, and -8 in the ﬁrst 6 days of culture. Parallel increases were also noted at the protein level in the supernatants. Although IL-1 (cid:1) , -6, and -8 are known to synergistically enhance HIV replication, peak HIV replication (measured as p24 Ag) was similar in tissue blocks and HLAC. Surprisingly, vigorous HIV replication of CXCR4- and CCR5-tropic HIV strains did not result in characteristic mRNA proﬁles for IL-1 (cid:1) , -2, -4, -6, -8, -10, -12, -15, IFN- (cid:2) , TNF- (cid:3) , TGF- (cid:1) , and (cid:1) -chemokines in tissue blocks or HLAC. The increased expression of IL-1 (cid:1) , -6, and -8 in tissue blocks may approximate clinical situations with heightened immune activation; neutralization of these cytokines resulted in inhibition of HIV replication, suggesting that these cytokines may contribute to HIV replication in certain clinical settings. These results also indicate that different molecular mechanisms govern HIV replication in tissue blocks and HLAC.
SERUM HOMOCYSTEINE AND VITAMIN B12 IN METFORMIN TREATED TYPE 2 DIABETIC SUBJECTS

Objective: To analyze serum homocysteine and vitamin B12 in type 2 diabetics taking metformin therapy. Study Design: Cross sectional study design. Study setting & Duration: Department of Medicine, Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro/Hyderabad from august 2017 to March 2018. Subjects and Methods: A sample of 100 volunteers; 50 controls (type 2 diabetics) and 50 cases (type 2 diabetics taking metformin), was selected according to selection criteria. Venous blood samples were collected under aseptic conditions. Random blood glucose, glycated Hb A (HbA1c), serum homocysteine and vitamin B12 were detected. Data was analyzed on SPSS ver 22.0 (IBM, Incorporation, USA) at 95% Confidence interval (P ≤ 0.05). Results: Elevated serum homocysteine was noted 48% in cases compared to 6% in controls (P=0.0001). Vitamin B12 deficiency in controls was noted as 38% versus 64% in cases taking metformin therapy (P=0.0001). Serum homocysteine and Vitamin B12 in controls and cases was noted as 6.71±2.82 μM/L and 15.35±11.97 μM/L & 239.54±61.72 pg/dl and 197.40±76.23 pg/dl respectively (P=0.0001). Vitamin B12 shows negative correlation of vitamin B12 with serum homocysteine (r= 0.629, P= 0.0001). Conclusion: The present study reports vitamin B12 deficiency in 64% and elevated homocysteine in 48% type 2 diabetics taking metformin therapy.
TRADITIONAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATION FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS IN AFRICA: A CASE STUDY OF ROTATING STOKVEL ENTERPRISE

Traditional saving associations are important to the growth of the informal economy. In Africa, the potential of these savings associations has not been sufficiently harnessed by enterprises in the informal economy, despite providing opportunities for investment, social cohesion and livelihood to the members of the savings groups. Among the successful traditional savings associations in Africa is the Rotating Stokvel Enterprise in South Africa. Often, researchers focus on the impacts, practices, and challenges of the enterprise with little or no attention paid to how each group is formed and operated. In this study, we argued that examining the processes involved in setting up a successful traditional stokvel will significantly contribute to its standardisation and increase the opportunities available, through their operations, for entrepreneurs in the informal economy. This will also provide a foundation for its integration into the contemporary space for adoption and practice, regardless of the society. A qualitative research method was utilizsed for the enquiry. The use of snowball sampling technique enabled the selection of 47 stokvel leaders from seven villages in South Africa for indepth interviews anchored on their lived experiences. The data collection was guided by semistructured questions administered during face-to-face interviews, while the analysis was performed using the thematic method. The enquiry provided insight into the typology of traditional rotating stokvels commonly practiced in the study area, the formation process, operational plan, financial management, and disciplinary measures. The study recommended that the steps should be examined to inform a traditional African-based informal rotating Stokvel model that will provide finance, reduce poverty and enhance sustainable entrepreneurial growth in Africa. Keyword: African Stokvel Model, Cohesive Society, Financial Independence, Indigenous Enterprise, Informal Credit.
Sintering Behavior , Thermal Expansion , and Environmental Impacts Accompanying Materials of the Al 2 O 3 / ZrO 2 System

This work focuses on research on obtaining and characterizing Al2O3/ZrO2 materials formed via slip casting method. The main emphasis in the research was placed on environmental aspects and those related to the practical use of ceramic materials. The goal was to analyze the en‐ vironmental loads associated with the manufacturing of Al2O3/ZrO2 composites, as well as to deter‐ mine the coefficient of thermal expansion of the obtained materials, classified as technical ceramics. This parameter is crucial in terms of their practical applications in high‐temperature working con‐ ditions, e.g., as parts of industrial machines. The study reports on the four series of Al2O3/ZrO2 ma‐ terials differing in the volume content of ZrO2. The sintering process was preceded by thermograv‐ imetric measurements. The fabricated and sintered materials were characterized by dilatometric study, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and stereological analysis. Further, life cycle assessment was supplied. Based on dilatometric tests, it was observed that Al2O3/ZrO2 composites show a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than that resulting from the content of individual phases. The results of the life cycle analysis showed that the environmental loads (carbon footprint) resulting from the acquisition and processing of raw materials necessary for the production of sin‐ ters from Al2O3 and ZrO2 are comparable to those associated with the production of plastic products such as polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride.