Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A cross-country analysis of start-up employment dynamics

This article carries out a detailed descriptive analysis of employment dynamics of new firms, using comparable and highly representative data for 19 countries. It does so by using a novel analytical decomposition of the contribution of new firms to job creation, which allows to separately focus on different margins. In particular, the contribution of new firms to job creation can be expressed as a combination of four different elements: start-up ratio; survival share; average size of firms at entry; and average post-entry growth rate of survivors. This comprehensive characterization of entrants’ employment dynamics points to regularities and differences in business dynamism across countries, and can be used as an important diagnostic tool by policy makers.
POLITIK PERBEDAAN: MINORITAS DALAM IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN

Abstract Public policy is always closely connected with the articulation of a distribution and re-distribution. Wisest form of policy that can accommodate all people without exception. Therefore, in the implementation of the public policy, it’s important to view the differences of social group not as a threat. but recognizing them through the political differences. Imbalances in the system which is too liberal governance is always to make people as several individuals with their rights. Finally, the policy only view the majority as a strong power which able to exclude those who are weak and considered different from the majority rule. This article at least invites us to re-articulate what is to be achieved in a democracy by analyzing the implementation of policy for difference groups are excluded by majority rule. Keywords: politics of difference, minority, majority, public policy
Mutant mouse models of insulin-like growth factor actions in the central nervous system

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and its cognate receptor, the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF1R), as well as high-affinity IGF binding proteins (IGFBP) that modulate IGF-I actions, are expressed throughout the course of brain development. These observations, taken together with studies in cultured neural cells demonstrating a variety of IGF-I growth-promoting activities, provide a strong argument for IGF-I having a central role in the growth and development of the CNS. This report reviews studies of brain development in mutant mice with alterations of IGF-I expression or action. Transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing IGF-I postnatally exhibit brain overgrowth characterized by increased neuron and oligodendrocyte number, as well as marked increases in myelination. Mutant mice with ablated IGF-I and IGF1R expression, as well as those with overexpression of IGFBPs capable of inhibiting IGF actions, exhibit brain growth retardation with a variety of growth deficits. These studies confirm a role for IGF-I in neural development, and indicate that IGF-I stimulates neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, facilitates oligodendrocyte development, promotes neuron and oligodendrocyte survival, and stimulates myelination. Evidence from experiments in these mouse models also indicates that IGF-I has a role in recovery from neural injury.
Evidence for DNA Hairpin Recognition by Zta at the Epstein-Barr Virus Origin of Lytic Replication

ABSTRACT The Epstein-Barr virus immediate-early protein (Zta) plays an essential role in viral lytic activation and pathogenesis. Zta is a basic zipper (b-Zip) domain-containing protein that binds multiple sites in the viral origin of lytic replication (OriLyt) and is required for lytic-cycle DNA replication. We present evidence that Zta binds to a sequence-specific, imperfect DNA hairpin formed by an inverted repeat within the upstream essential element (UEE) of OriLyt. Mutations in the OriLyt sequence that are predicted to disrupt hairpin formation also disrupt Zta binding in vitro. Restoration of the hairpin rescues the defect. We also show that OriLyt DNA isolated from replicating cells contains a nuclease-sensitive region that overlaps with the inverted-repeat region of the UEE. Furthermore, point mutations in Zta that disrupt specific recognition of the UEE hairpin are defective for activation of lytic replication. These data suggest that Zta acts by inducing and/or stabilizing a DNA hairpin structure during productive infection. The DNA hairpin at OriLyt with which Zta interacts resembles DNA structures formed at other herpesvirus origins and may therefore represent a common secondary structure used by all herpesvirus family members during the initiation of DNA replication.
Allosteric monofunctional aspartate kinases from Arabidopsis

Plant monofunctional aspartate kinase is unique among all aspartate kinases, showing synergistic inhibition by lysine and S‐adenosyl‐l‐methionine (SAM). The Arabidopsis genome contains three genes for monofunctional aspartate kinases. We show that aspartate kinase 2 and aspartate kinase 3 are inhibited only by lysine, and that aspartate kinase 1 is inhibited in a synergistic manner by lysine and SAM. In the absence of SAM, aspartate kinase 1 displayed low apparent affinity for lysine compared to aspartate kinase 2 and aspartate kinase 3. In the presence of SAM, the apparent affinity of aspartate kinase 1 for lysine increased considerably, with K0.5 values for lysine inhibition similar to those of aspartate kinase 2 and aspartate kinase 3. For all three enzymes, the inhibition resulted from an increase in the apparent Km values for the substrates ATP and aspartate. The mechanism of aspartate kinase 1 synergistic inhibition was characterized. Inhibition by lysine alone was fast, whereas synergistic inhibition by lysine plus SAM was very slow. SAM by itself had no effect on the enzyme activity, in accordance with equilibrium binding analyses indicating that SAM binding to aspartate kinase 1 requires prior binding of lysine. The three‐dimensional structure of the aspartate kinase 1–Lys–SAM complex has been solved [Mas‐Droux C, Curien G, Robert‐Genthon M, Laurencin M, Ferrer JL & Dumas R (2006) Plant Cell18, 1681–1692]. Taken together, the data suggest that, upon binding to the inactive aspartate kinase 1–Lys complex, SAM promotes a slow conformational transition leading to formation of a stable aspartate kinase 1–Lys–SAM complex. The increase in aspartate kinase 1 apparent affinity for lysine in the presence of SAM thus results from the displacement of the unfavorable equilibrium between aspartate kinase 1 and aspartate kinase 1–Lys towards the inactive form.
Changing the transmission belt: the programme-to-policy link in Italy between the First and Second Republic

Abstract This article analyses the transmission of policy priorities from electoral campaigns to legislative outputs under different institutional configurations. Taking an agenda-setting approach, the article tests whether a mandate effect exists, if incumbents also uptake the priorities of their competitors, and whether and how the introduction of alternation in government impacts on these dynamics. The analysis relies on data sets of the Italian Agendas Project recording the issue content of party manifestos and laws and covering the period 1983–2012. The results of time series cross-sectional models lend support to the presence of a mandate effect in Italy, a mechanism which was strengthened after the introduction of alternation in government. Opposition priorities may have an impact on the legislative agenda, but mostly when considering the legislation initiated in Parliament. Our findings have important implications for the understanding of the impact of government alternation, an institutional feature underlying – with varying intensity – most democracies, on the functioning of democratic representation.
Trust and Risk Communication in High‐Risk Organizations: A Test of Principles from Social Risk Research

This study explored the effects of open communication about occupational risks on workers' trust beliefs and trust intentions toward risk management, and the resilience of these beliefs and intentions to further risk information. An experimental survey of 393 student nurses showed the importance of open communication in the development of worker trust in risk management. Consistent with the trust asymmetry principle, we found that the increase in trust beliefs following open communication was weaker than the reduction in trust following a lack of communication. Further, the level of trust developed through communication (or lack of) influenced the way that subsequent risk information was processed. Negative risk information reduced trust beliefs in nurses with already low levels of trust while positive risk information increased trust beliefs only in those with already high levels. A similar pattern of results emerged for nurses' trust intentions, although the magnitude of these effects was weaker. The implications of these findings for occupational risk management are discussed.
RF sputtered PZT thin film at MPB for piezoelectric harvester devices

Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3 (PZT) thin films deposition at morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) and low temperature became one of the most promising fields in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for power harvesting applications, especially in a low frequency range, due to its large electromechanically coupling coefficient, dielectric and piezoelectric constants. PZT thin film deposition using RF sputtering has the advantage over other deposition methods due to its simplicity, better parameter control, cheapness, and requires a low deposition temperature. The influence of plasma parameter (RF power, Ar gas content and pressure) is studied to deposit the optimum Pb Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48 O3 thin film with 1μm thickness. The NTI nano film RF sputtering system was used to deposit the 36 samples of PZT thin film in (Si3N4/Si) substrate, the working temperature is at 20C°. The post annealing process with conventional treatment at 650 C° for 60 min is done. MERLIN compact FESEM is used to measure the cross section thickness of samples at four different points and an average is taken, thickness standard deviation and the radius of curvature is measured to check thin film uniformity and flatness. To determine the plasma parameters necessary for optimum thin film deposition, Energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) is used to analyze the chemical composition of deposited PZT thin film and found that 250 W of RF power, 15mT of Ar gas pressure, and 18 Sccm of Ar gas content is necessary for Pb Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48 O3 thin film deposition. A XRD technique is used to study phase formation in optimized PZT thin film. The perovskite phase (100, 110, and 111,200) is observed with maximum peak intensity of 1200 counts/ second for 110 phases. Piezoelectric constant d33 of 413 pm/v and 0.68 electromechanical coupling coefficient, which make the optimize PZT thin film (Pb Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48 O3) suitable in power harvesting devices at low frequency rang such as cardiac pacemaker.
Is Ghana Catching up with Her Colonial Master? A Time Series Analysis into Speed of Convergence Between Ghana and UK

This work set out to undertake a study into time series speed of convergence between two ‘worlds’. That is the developing and the developed ‘world’. The study used data on Ghana to represent developing countries and the United Kingdom data to represent developed countries. The study also calculated the number of years Ghana would need to catch-up with UK in terms of growth. The period used in the study was from 1958-2011. The work found evidence in favour of convergence between the two countries using time series technique. However, when the study tested the series from 1958 to 1970 (where this period also included a policy of import-substitution industrialization) there was evidence of convergence. In calculating the speed of convergence that is the number of years both countries would converge, then Ghana would catch-up in 183 years. However, a growth catch up simulation suggests that Ghana will converge with the UK in 22 years with a growth rate of 11%, and with a rate of 5% Ghana would catch up in 72 years and UK growing at a rate of 2.4%. The study therefore recommends industrialization as the main driving force for faster catch-up. Keywords: Convergence, Speed of Convergence, Economic Growth, Time Series Analysis
Prognosis of power MOSFET in continuous time framework

The reliability of the MOSFET is a concern as it has been extensively used for the critical power supply applications in hybrid electric vehicles, high-speed electric trains, and electric aircraft. The MOSFET is subject to the multiple electro-mechanical stresses simultaneously during its operation. The degradation in MOSFET is random in nature due to these stresses along with manufacturing imperfection. The noise in the fault precursor measurement system results in large variation in the remaining useful life (RUL). In this paper, a continuous time (CT) framework based RUL estimation technique is proposed using the drain to source on-time resistance (Rds, on) as the fault precursor. The CT framework is utilized to capture the dynamics of the system. The CT Markov Process (CTMP) in conjunction with Continuous time (CT) Sequential Importance Resampling (SIR) Particle Filter (PF) is used to simulate the trajectory of the Rds, on considering noise in measurement system. This simulated trajectory is then used to estimate the RUL of the MOSFET. The RUL estimation of the proposed method is compared with the RUL estimation of Kalman filter (KF) and Discrete Time Sequential Importance Sampling (SIS) PF using the experimental data of the RDS, ON of the MOSFET.
MKM-Guided Resection of Diffuse Brainstem Neoplasms

Objectives: Some primary brainstem tumors, when extensive, are considered inoperable. We wanted to assess the value of robotic image-guided microscopic surgery in the resection of these tumors and to improve survival and quality of life for these patients. Methods: Two patients with extensive brainstem tumors were evaluated at our center. They previously underwent several biopsies, attempted partial resections, radiotherapy and shunting. They presented with progressive neurological deterioration, ‘coma vigil’ for several months, and required life-supporting measures prior to surgery. Both patients underwent frameless stereotactic craniotomy using a MKM robotic microscope, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, and extensive resection of their recurrent brainstem tumors. Results: In the immediate weeks after surgery, both patients became interactive and regained major motor and cranial nerve deficits present prior to surgery. Nine months after surgery, 1 patient succumbed to pneumonia. At 2 years after the operation, 1 patient has maintained his neurological status and showed no recurrence on imaging studies. Conclusions: Image-guided surgery with an MKM microscope allows surgical outlines to be injected in the microscope viewer and facilitates resection of extensive brainstem tumors previously considered inoperable.
DNA conformation‐dependent activities of human mitochondrial RNA polymerase

Mitochondrial RNA polymerase (POLRMT) is a core protein for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) transcription. In addition, POLRMT is assumed to be involved in replication, although its exact role is not yet clearly elucidated. We have found novel properties of human POLRMT using a reconstituted transcription system. Various lengths of RNA molecules were synthesized from templates even without a defined promoter sequence, when we used supercoiled circular double‐stranded DNA as a template. This promoter‐independent activity was as strong as the promoter‐dependent one. Promoter‐independent DNA conformation‐dependent transcription required TFB2M. On supercoiled templates, the promoter‐independent activity was strongly suppressed by a putatively physiological amount of TFAM, while promoter‐dependent transcription was inhibited to a lesser extent. These different inhibition patterns by TFAM may be important for prevention of random RNA synthesis in vivo. Promoter‐independent activity was also observed on relaxed circular single‐stranded DNA, where its activity no longer required TFB2M. RNA synthesis on single‐stranded DNA was weakly suppressed by a putatively physiological amount of TFAM but restored by the addition of mitochondrial single‐stranded DNA binding protein. We suggest that these properties of POLRMT could explain the characteristic features of mammalian mtDNA transcription and replication.
Network Coding in IEEE 802.11 Wireless LANs with an Enhanced Channel Access Scheme

In this paper, we present a set of simple extensions to the IEEE 802.11 MAC that allow the efficient realization of wireless network coding. The main characteristic of the proposed protocol is that it improves the efficiency of packet coding decisions and allows verifying the decodability of packets before they are transmitted over the network. The previous goals are achieved by adopting two techniques. First, we introduce the concept of opportunistic acknowledgments (OACKs), and second, we adopt the use of virtual buffers that are used for selectively storing overheard packets by a particular node. We performed extensive simulations for several ad hoc network topologies that test the proposed protocol. Our results indicate that significant throughput enhancements can be achieved when compared with network coding schemes that are realized with the legacy 802.11 MAC.
Distinct Mechanisms of Receptor and Nonreceptor Tyrosine Kinase Activation by Reactive Oxygen Species in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: Role of Metalloprotease and Protein Kinase C-δ

ABSTRACT Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in cardiovascular diseases. ROS, such as H2O2, act as second messengers to activate diverse signaling pathways. Although H2O2 activates several tyrosine kinases, including the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, JAK2, and PYK2, in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the intracellular mechanism by which ROS activate these tyrosine kinases remains unclear. Here, we identified two distinct signaling pathways required for receptor and nonreceptor tyrosine kinase activation by H2O2 involving a metalloprotease-dependent generation of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and protein kinase C (PKC)-δ activation, respectively. H2O2-induced EGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation was inhibited by a metalloprotease inhibitor, whereas the inhibitor had no effect on H2O2-induced JAK2 tyrosine phosphorylation. HB-EGF neutralizing antibody inhibited H2O2-induced EGF receptor phosphorylation. In COS-7 cells expressing an HB-EGF construct tagged with alkaline phosphatase, H2O2 stimulates HB-EGF production through metalloprotease activation. By contrast, dominant negative PKC-δ transfection inhibited H2O2-induced JAK2 phosphorylation but not EGF receptor phosphorylation. Dominant negative PYK2 inhibited H2O2-induced JAK2 activation but not EGF receptor activation, whereas dominant negative PKC-δ inhibited PYK2 activation by H2O2. These data demonstrate the presence of distinct tyrosine kinase activation pathways (PKC-δ/PYK2/JAK2 and metalloprotease/HB-EGF/EGF receptor) utilized by H2O2 in VSMCs, thus providing unique therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases.
Expression of the Pho regulon negatively regulates biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aureofaciens PA147‐2

We report the isolation of insertional mutations to the pstC and pstA genes of the phosphate‐specific transport (pst) operon that results in loss of biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aureofaciens PA147‐2. Consistent with the known roles of the Pst system in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both P. aureofaciens pst mutants were demonstrated to have defects in inorganic phosphate (Pi) transport and repression of Pho regulon expression. Subsequently, biofilm formation by the wild type was shown to require a threshold concentration of extracellular Pi. The two‐component regulatory pair PhoR/PhoB is responsible for upregulation of Pho regulon expression in response to Pi‐limiting environments. By generating phoR mutants that were unable to express the Pho regulon, we were able to restore biofilm formation by P. aureofaciens in Pi‐limiting conditions. This result suggests that gene(s) within the Pho regulon act to regulate biofilm formation negatively in low‐Pi environments, and that phoR mutations uncouple PA147‐2 from such regulatory constraints. Furthermore, the inability of pst mutants to repress Pho regulon expression accounts for their inability to form biofilms in non‐limiting Pi environments. Preliminary evidence suggests that the Pst system is also required for antifungal activity by PA147‐2. During phenotypic analysis of pst mutants, we also uncovered novelties in relation to Pi assimilation and Pho regulon control in P. aureofaciens.
Testing association between disease and multiple SNPs in a candidate gene

Current technology allows investigators to obtain genotypes at multiple single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) within a candidate locus. Many approaches have been developed for using such data in a test of association with disease, ranging from genotype‐based to haplotype‐based tests. We develop a new approach that involves two basic steps. In the first step, we use principal components (PCs) analysis to compute combinations of SNPs that capture the underlying correlation structure within the locus. The second step uses the PCs directly in a test of disease association. The PC approach captures linkage‐disequilibrium information within a candidate region, but does not require the difficult computing implicit in a haplotype analysis. We demonstrate by simulation that the PC approach is typically as or more powerful than both genotype‐ and haplotype‐based approaches. We also analyze association between respiratory symptoms in children and four SNPs in the Glutathione‐S‐Transferase P1 locus, based on data from the Children's Health Study. We observe stronger evidence of an association using the PC approach (p = 0.044) than using either a genotype‐based (p = 0.13) or haplotype‐based (p = 0.052) approach. Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three‐dimensional model of the cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 (CDK1): Ab initio active site parameters for molecular dynamics studies of CDKS

Cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) is an interesting target for potential anticancer drugs, and its three‐dimensional (3D) structure is presently unknown. The purpose of this work was to build a 3D model of CDK1, which could be used in drug design studies. The protein 3D structure was homology modeled, based on the known crystal structure of CDK2, and new nonbonded parameters for the Mg2+ coordination complex were developed by means of ab initio quantum chemical calculations. These parameters were both obtained and validated using the CDK2 structure as reference, and then they were used for the refinement of the CDK1 model. The resulting CDK1 structure was satisfactory and stable at room temperature, as shown by the molecular dynamics simulations carried out over a 1‐ns time interval on the entire protein. A number of representative kinases in the active and inactive form, including the inactive CDK1 modeled in this work, were compared. The results illustrate the conformational variability of the activation loop of the inactive form of the kinases and suggest a way for selectively targeting the single CDKs. Proteins 2001;45:478–485. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.