Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Yolsuzlukların Vergi Gelirleri Üzerindeki Etkisi: Dinamik Panel Veri Analizi

Corruption, defined as the misuse of public power for private benefit, can lead to decrease tax revenues since it causes to tax evasion, improper tax exemptions or weak tax administration. The main objective of this study is to demonstrate the relationship between corruption and various types of taxes and to determine which taxes are more appropriate for corruption. In this study, the relationship between corruption and tax revenue is analyzed by system GMM method, using 25 OECD countries’ yearly data for the period 1984-2007. The results show that there is a negative and statistically significant relationship between corruption and different types of taxes.
Anti Tumoral Properties of Punica granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Extract in Different Human Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND Punica granatum (PG) has been demonstrated to possess antitumor effects on various types of cancer cells. In this study, we determined antiproliferative properties of a seed extract of PG (PSE) from Iran in different human cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS A methanolic extract of pomegranate seeds was prepared. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were assessed by colorimetric assays. Antioxidant activity was determined with reference to DPPH radical scavenging activity. The cytotoxicity of different doses of PSE (0, 5, 20, 100, 250, 500, 1000 μg/ml) was evaluated by MTT assays with A549 (lung non small cell carcinoma), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), SKOV3 (ovarian cancer cells), and PC-3 (prostate adenocarcinoma) cells. RESULTS Significant (P<0.01) or very significant (P<0.0001) differences were observed in comparison to negative controls at all tested doses (5-1000 μg/ml). In all studied cancer cells, PSE reduced the cell viability to values below 23%, even at the lowest doses. In all cases, IC50 was determined at doses below 5 μg/ml. In this regard, SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells were the most responsive to antiproliferative effects of PSE with a maximum mean growth inhibition of 86.8% vs. 82.8%, 81.4% and 80.0% in MCF-7, PC-3 and A549 cells, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Low doses of PSE exert potent antiproliferative effects on different human cancer cells SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells as most and A549 cells ar least responsive regarding cytotoxic effects. However, the mechanisms of action need to be addressed.
Combining minimum wage and exchange rate policy to release the external constraint on growth

In this article we analyse the combination of a minimum wage and a devaluation/depreciation so as to release the external constraint on growth. The policy maker aims at achieving both balanced trade and higher growth. These may be reached by devaluating the domestic currency, which however supports traditional industries characterized by high price elasticity and low income elasticity of demand. The release of the external constraint in the short term then yields a stronger constraint in the longer term. If traditional industries are unskilled and labour‐intensive, the setting of a minimum wage distorts the specialization towards sectors with high demand growth. Devaluation/depreciation and minimum wage may thus be combined to release both the short term and longer term external constraint. We determine the condition for such a policy to be efficient. This combined policy must come with an educational policy that supports skill upgrading. It is typically tailored to ‘advanced emerging countries’ which aim at changing their specialization without slowing their growth.
Simple Algorithms for the Determination of the Walking Distance based on the Acceleration Sensor

The paper presents simple algorithms for the estimation of displacement based on inertial sensors and integration of the horizontal acceleration. Experiments were conducted including nine healthy subjects. They were asked to walk three distances (20, 40 and 60m) at different speeds (normal, slow and fast). The acceleration and the angular velocity vectors ere captured by inertial sensors from SHIMMER research and Xsens technology fixed to the lower shank. Two algorithms whole signal integration and stepwise integration were compared with regard to their accuracy. A priori knowledge about the motion was included in the calculation. Statistically all methods work well (mean of the relative distance is 0.97 while the variance is not negligible (s = 9%). The quality of the results depends especially on the tempo of motion.
Workload Balancing Through Recurrent Subcontracting

We model a situation where a firm wishes to balance workload requirements by creating a portfolio of recurrent insourcing and outsourcing contracts. We use harmonic analysis to decompose an input workload profile into a portfolio of insourcing and outsourcing contracts using rectangular‐wave basis functions to better achieve some desired constant workload level. However, this initial selection of contracts may result in impractical options. Therefore, we also develop mathematical programs using principles from goal programming and integer programming to refine the portfolio of contracts to more accurately reflect a realistic environment by placing constraints on the available contracts and explicitly considering operational costs. We consider several modeling extensions including the ability to hold limited amounts of inventory and the use of one‐shot contracts to supplement our portfolio of recurrent contracts.
Automated detection and classification of vascular abnormalities in diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive ocular disease. The disease may advance from mild to severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. This paper proposes a method for automated detection and classification of vascular abnormalities in diabetic retinopathy. The vascular abnormalities are detected using scale and orientation selective Gabor filter banks. The proposed method classifies the retinal image as mild or severe case based on the outputs obtained from Gabor filters.
A Single Acetylation of 18 S rRNA Is Essential for Biogenesis of the Small Ribosomal Subunit in Saccharomyces cerevisiae*

Background: Post-transcriptional modifications of rRNAs play important roles in biogenesis and function of ribosome. Results: Identification of an essential RNA acetyltransferase Rra1p responsible for forming N4-acetylcytidine at position 1773 in 18 S rRNA. Conclusion: Rra1p and ac4C1773 are required for pre-18 S rRNA processing. Significance: Rra1p modulates 40 S subunit biogenesis through a single acetylation of 18 S rRNA by sensing nuclear acetyl-CoA concentration. Biogenesis of eukaryotic ribosome is a complex event involving a number of non-ribosomal factors. During assembly of the ribosome, rRNAs are post-transcriptionally modified by 2′-O-methylation, pseudouridylation, and several base-specific modifications, which are collectively involved in fine-tuning translational fidelity and/or modulating ribosome assembly. By mass-spectrometric analysis, we demonstrated that N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) is present at position 1773 in the 18 S rRNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition, we found an essential gene, KRE33 (human homolog, NAT10), that we renamed RRA1 (ribosomal RNA cytidine acetyltransferase 1) encoding an RNA acetyltransferase responsible for ac4C1773 formation. Using recombinant Rra1p, we could successfully reconstitute ac4C1773 in a model rRNA fragment in the presence of both acetyl-CoA and ATP as substrates. Upon depletion of Rra1p, the 23 S precursor of 18 S rRNA was accumulated significantly, which resulted in complete loss of 18 S rRNA and small ribosomal subunit (40 S), suggesting that ac4C1773 formation catalyzed by Rra1p plays a critical role in processing of the 23 S precursor to yield 18 S rRNA. When nuclear acetyl-CoA was depleted by inactivation of acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACS2), we observed temporal accumulation of the 23 S precursor, indicating that Rra1p modulates biogenesis of 40 S subunit by sensing nuclear acetyl-CoA concentration.
Development and validation of a smartphone-based digits-in-noise hearing test in South African English

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to develop and validate a smartphone-based digits-in-noise hearing test for South African English. Design: Single digits (0–9) were recorded and spoken by a first language English female speaker. Level corrections were applied to create a set of homogeneous digits with steep speech recognition functions. A smartphone application was created to utilize 120 digit-triplets in noise as test material. An adaptive test procedure determined the speech reception threshold (SRT). Experiments were performed to determine headphones effects on the SRT and to establish normative data. Study sample: Participants consisted of 40 normal-hearing subjects with thresholds ≤15 dB across the frequency spectrum (250–8000 Hz) and 186 subjects with normal-hearing in both ears, or normal-hearing in the better ear. Results: The results show steep speech recognition functions with a slope of 20%/dB for digit-triplets presented in noise using the smartphone application. The results of five headphone types indicate that the smartphone-based hearing test is reliable and can be conducted using standard Android smartphone headphones or clinical headphones. Conclusion: A digits-in-noise hearing test was developed and validated for South Africa. The mean SRT and speech recognition functions correspond to previous developed telephone-based digits-in-noise tests.
Dynamic factor demands for US cigarette manufacturing under rational expectations

The rational expectations approach to adjustment cost models for factor demand is used to develop a dynamic model for US cigarette manufacturing. In the present study dynamic production modelling is extended to the case of multiple outputs. This analysis is the first to address cigarette manufacturing allowing for the possible influence of quasi-fixed factors, multiple outputs and rational expectations. Short-, intermediate-, and long-run factor demands are estimated and the presence of adjustment costs tested for in US cigarette manufacturing. The results indicate that there are significant adjustment costs associated with adjusting tobacco stock but not with adjusting the capital stock. Cigarettes produced for exports appear to differ in their marginal cost of production from cigarettes produced for sale in the US market.
Screening for distress and unmet needs in patients with cancer: review and recommendations.

PURPOSE This review summarizes the need for and process of screening for distress and assessing unmet needs of patients with cancer as well as the possible benefits of implementing screening. METHODS Three areas of the relevant literature were reviewed and summarized using structured literature searches: psychometric properties of commonly used distress screening tools, psychometric properties of relevant unmet needs assessment tools, and implementation of distress screening programs that assessed patient-reported outcomes (PROs). RESULTS Distress and unmet needs are common problems in cancer settings, and programs that routinely screen for and treat distress are feasible, particularly when staff are supported and links with specialist psychosocial services exist. Many distress screening and unmet need tools have been subject to preliminary validation, but few have been compared head to head in independent centers and in different stages of cancer. Research investigating the overall effectiveness of screening for distress in terms of improved recognition and treatment of distress and associated problems is not yet conclusive, but screening seems to improve communication between patients and clinicians and may enhance psychosocial referrals. Direct effects on quality of life are uncertain, but screening may help improve discussion of quality-of-life issues. CONCLUSION Involving all stakeholders and frontline clinicians when planning screening for distress programs is recommended. Training frontline staff to deliver screening programs is crucial, and continuing to rigorously evaluate outcomes, including PROs, process of care, referrals, and economic costs and benefits is essential.
Rapid immunomodulation by rosuvastatin in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

AIMS HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with stable coronary artery disease as well as acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It is unclear how rapidly the beneficial effects of statins occur in patients with ACS and whether these drug properties are related to lipid lowering. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients with troponin-positive ACS (n=35) were randomized to 20 mg/day rosuvastatin therapy or to placebo treatment. Anti-inflammatory effects of rosuvastatin measured by lymphocyte intracellular cytokine production were taken before initiation of treatment and on days 1, 3, and 42. Compared with placebo, rosuvastatin treatment significantly reduced plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma at 72 h. Rosuvastatin also induced a rapid and significant reduction of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma production in stimulated T-lymphocytes at 72 h. When compared with placebo, rosuvastatin inhibited the Th-1-immune response measured at 72 h. CONCLUSION Rosuvastatin exerts rapid immunomodulatory effects on the level of T-cell activation in patients with ACS.
Pressure Ulcer Incidence and Risk Factors Among Hospitalized Orthopedic Patients: Results of a Prospective Cohort Study

A variety of pressure ulcer (PU) risk factors has been identified, but not all information is consistent and some applies to specific patient populations only. The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to assess the incidence of and ascertain potential risk factors for PU formation among hospitalized orthopedic patients in the Philippines. All patients consecutively admitted to an orthopedic ward of a tertiary hospital between March 1 and October 31, 2009 were eligible to participate if they were >19 years of age and expected to be confined to a bed or chair for at least 5 days while hos pitalized. Eligible patients were seen within 48 hours following admission, and after providing informed consent, patient demographic variables, laboratory values, and other potential risk factors were recorded, including the presence of nonblanchable erythema or dry skin and Braden Risk Assessment Scale variables (sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, friction shear). The total Braden Risk Score was calculated and dichotomized to at risk (low, medium, high risk) and not at risk. Subsequent skin inspections for the development of a Stage II or greater ulcer occurred weekly. Of the 256 persons admitted, 43 met the inclusion criteria and 40 (31 men and nine women) agreed to participate in the study. Eight patients developed an ulcer a median of 7 days after admission for an overall incidence of 20%; seven ulcers were Stage II, and one ulcer progressed to Stage III. The only significant difference between patients who did and did not develop a PU was the presence of constant moisture (P <0.008) and impaired sensory perception (P <0.0001). The odds ratio (OR) for sensory perception was 45 (95% CI: 5.3–385, P = 0.0001) and for constant moisture was 10.8 (95% CI: 1.8–65, P = 0.008). On multivariate analysis, the adjusted OR was 43 (95% CI: 3.5–513) for sensory perception and 10 (95% CI: 0.85–117) for moisture. The likelihood ratio test showed that both impaired sensory perception and constant moisture were predictive of PU formation (P = 0.0465). Most (six out of eight) patients who developed a PU had a history of spinal cord injury. Study results confirm that limited sensory perception and the presence of constant moisture are risk factors for PU development among hospitalized orthopedic patients. This is the first PU incidence and risk factor study conducted in the Philippines, and the results confirm some of those reported from orthopedic patient studies in other countries.
Child Support Enforcement and Welfare Caseloads

Although there is a large body of research devoted to the issue of the determinants of welfare caseloads, none of these studies has incorporated the effects of child support enforcement (CSE). We employ annual state panel data from 1980 to 1999 and find that states with more effective CSE have significantly lower welfare caseloads. The improvement in CSE over this period reduces welfare caseloads by about 9 percent in 1999. We also discover that individual child support variables may not be good indicators of state CSE vigor and that a CSE index that includes multiple dimensions of CSE is more likely to capture the multiplicative functions of CSE.
Religion in International Relations: The Return from Exile

Introduction P.Hatzopoulos & F.Petito PART I: INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL THEORY AND RELIGION Taking Religious and Cultural Pluralism Seriously: The Global Resurgence of Religion and the Transformation of International Society S.M. Thomas Dogma, Praxis, and Religious Perspectives on Multicultualism C.Lynch Towards an International Political Theology V.Kubalkova PART II: WAR, SECURITY, AND RELIGION Religion and Nationalism: The 'Sacred' Dimension of International Politics A.D.Smith Does Religion Make a Difference? Theoretical Approaches to Impact of Faith on Political Conflict A.Hasenclever & V.Rittberger In Defence of Religion: Sacred Objects for Securitization C.Bagge Laustsen & O.Waever PART III: POLITICIZING RELIGION: TOWARDS A NEW GLOBAL ETHOS? A Worldwide Religious Resurgence in an Era of Globalisation and Apocalyptic Terrorism R.Falk A Global Spiritual Resurgence? On Christian and Islamic Spiritualities F.Dallmayr Islam and the West: Muslim Voices of Dialogue J.L. Esposito & J.O. Voll Epilogue T.Nardin
A Genotype-Independent Real-Time PCR Assay for Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA

ABSTRACT Accurate quantification of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels is important for monitoring patients with chronic HBV infection and for assessing their responses to antiviral therapy. This study aimed to develop a real-time PCR assay that is sensitive and can accurately quantify a wide range of HBV DNA levels across the known HBV genotypes. An “in-house” real-time PCR assay using primers and a TaqMan probe in a highly conserved region of the HBV surface gene was designed. The assay was standardized against a WHO standard and validated against plasmids of HBV genotypes A through H. The linear quantification range was approximately 5 × 100 to 2.0 × 109 IU/ml. Results of samples from patients infected with HBV genotypes A through H tested using our real-time “in-house” PCR assay showed an excellent correlation with those of the Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor (R2 = 0.9435) and the Cobas TaqMan HBV (R2 = 0.9873) tests. We have established a real-time PCR assay that is genotype independent and can accurately quantify a wide range of HBV DNA levels. Further studies of additional samples are ongoing to validate the genotype independence of our assay.
Recognition-Based Physical Response to Facilitate EFL Learning

This study, based on total physical response and cognitive psychology, proposed a Kinesthetic English Learning System (KELS), which utilized Microsoft’s Kinect technology to build kinesthetic interaction with life-related contexts in English. A subject test with 39 tenth-grade students was conducted following empirical research method in order to compare the effectiveness of KELS on both learning and motivation. In addition, we developed one questionnaire to study the perception learning style of the students involved in the experiment in order to determine whether students with different perception styles experienced any difference in learning while using the proposed KELS. Finally, we investigated students’ acceptance of and motivation toward using KELS. The result showed that there was a significant difference between the control group and the experimental group regarding long-term retention. Moreover, the experimental group’s learning was significantly affected by using kinesthetic interaction between peers to facilitate learning to speak and listen in English. The study also found that KELS was effective across perceptual learning styles. Finally, most participants in the experimental group agreed that KELS would effectively increase their motivation to learn English and expressed a strong intention to continue using the system.
Effects of restricted versus conventional dietary adaptation on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, site and extent of digestion, digesta kinetics, and ruminal metabolism.

Three experiments were conducted to determine effects of restricting intake of the final finishing diet as a means of dietary adaptation compared with diets increasing in grain over a period of 20 to 22 d on overall cattle performance, carcass characteristics, digestibility, digesta kinetics, and ruminal metabolism. In Exp. 1, 84 Angus x Hereford yearling steers (initial BW = 418 +/- 29.0 kg) were fed for 70 d. Restricting intake during adaptation had no effect (P > 0.10) on overall ADG:DMI, but decreased (P < 0.05) DMI compared with ad libitum access to adaptation diets, which resulted from differences during the initial 28 d of the experiment. In Exp. 2, 150 mixed crossbred steer calves (initial BW = 289 +/- 22.9 kg) were fed for an average of 173 d. Restricting intake decreased (P < 0.01) overall daily gain (1.51 vs 1.65 kg/d) and DMI (8.68 vs 9.15 kg/d) compared with ad libitum fed steers; however, ADG:DMI was not influenced (P > 0.10) by adaptation method. Experiment three used eight ruminally and duodenally fistulated steers (initial BW = 336 +/- 20 kg) in a completely random design. Total tract digestibility, digesta kinetics and ruminal metabolism were determined. Restricting intake reduced (P < 0.10) daily DMI variation from d 1 through 7, 8 through 14, and 22 through 28 compared with ad libitum feeding of three adaptation diets. Restricted steers had reduced (adaptation method x period interaction, P < 0.05) intakes and fecal excretions of ADF and greater OM digestibilities on d 4 through 7, 11 through 14, and 18 through 21. Digesta kinetics and ruminal metabolism were generally not affected (P > 0.10) by adaptation method. Our results suggest that restricted-feeding of the final diet as a means of dietary adaptation can be used in finishing cattle with few problems from acidosis or related intake variation. In light-weight steers (Exp. 2), disruptions in intake during the adaptation period might have resulted in restriction for an extended period, which decreased (P < 0.01) hot carcass weight compared with calves fed ad libitum. Effects of limit feeding during the initial 28 d of the feeding period on site and extent of digestion, digesta kinetics, and ruminal metabolism were minimal, supporting few differences in performance across the finishing period for yearling cattle.