Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Migrant Workers' Remittance and Real Exchange Rates Dynamics in Kenya: Are there Asymmetries?

Is the inflow of migrant workers' remittance to Kenyan economy a blessing or a curse? This question is what motivated the study considering the status of Kenya in Africa as one of the top recipients of migrant workers' remittances from various developed and developing countries. The outcome revealed that variables were co-integrated as evidently shown by Engle-Granger technique. The asymmetric cointegration test however shows that the result based on Threshold Autoregressive (TAR) and Momentum Threshold Autoregressive (MTAR) signifies that variables are not co-integrated. The finding suggest that inflow of remittances trigger real exchange rates in Kenya, this reconfirmed the Dutch disease phenomenon as mainly found in majority of the developing countries considering the nature of the economies as well as level of financial development. Effective policy framework in terms of remittances utilization is important in order to offset the negative consequences caused by the financial inflows.
A Contribution to the Modeling of Corporate Political Environment Dynamics

This paper contributes to the conceptualization of the corporate political environment and corporate political behavior. In the first part, we present existing theoretical models of corporate political environment, and we discuss their usefulness as well as their limits. In the second part, we present our model and highlight its originality and complementary to the previous contributions. In the proposed model, the corporate political environment includes three types of stakeholders: public authorities, firms within the strategic arena, and other social-political stakeholders (interest groups, media, others firms, etc.). We contend that three types of relations link the firm to its political environment stakeholders: influence, agency, and market competition. We conclude by identifying five corporate political environment configurations depending on various environmental factors.
Primary MHC-Class II+ Cells Are Necessary To Promote Resting Vδ2 Cell Expansion in Response to (E)-4-Hydroxy-3-Methyl-But-2-Enyl-Pyrophosphate and Isopentenyl Pyrophosphate

Human Vγ9δ2 (Vδ2) T cells represent a unique effector T cell population in humans and primates detecting nonpeptid phosphoantigens, playing an important role in antimicrobial and antitumor immunity. Currently, it is believed that various leukocyte subsets can promote phosphoantigen-driven Vδ2 cell expansion, but the essential cell type required remains elusive. We have used high purity cell sorting to analyze the cellular requirements for (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl-pyrophosphate (HMBPP)–driven Vδ2 cell expansion. To our knowledge, we show for the first time that primary human MHC-class II+ cells are indispensable for HMBPP- and isopentenylpyrophosphate-driven Vδ2 cell expansion. In contrast, MHC-class II− cells are unable to promote Vδ2 cell expansion. Moreover, purified primary human TCRαβ+ T cells, CD4+, or CD8+ T cells also failed to promote HMBPP-mediated Vδ2 expansion. Depletion of CD4+CD25+ T cells demonstrated that inability of TCRαβ+ cells to expand Vδ2 cells was not related to the presence of regulatory T cells. Separation of MHC-class II+ cells into dendritic cells, monocytes, and B cells revealed that dendritic cells were the most potent Vδ2 expanders. Pulsing experiments demonstrated that HMBPP transforms MHC-class II+ but not negative cells into Vδ2 expanders. MHC-class II–blocking experiments with mAbs and secondary MHC-class II induction on CD4+ T cells after CD3/CD28 costimulation indicated that MHC-class II is necessary, but not sufficient to promote Vδ2 expansion. Our results provide novel insight into the primary cell-specific requirements for human Vδ2 expansion.
Lipopolysaccharide Signals an Endothelial Apoptosis Pathway Through TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6-Mediated Activation of c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase1

Inflammatory mediators such as TNF and bacterial LPS do not cause significant apoptosis of endothelial cells unless the expression of cytoprotective genes is blocked. In the case of TNF, the transcription factor NF-κB conveys an important survival signal. In contrast, even though LPS can also activate NF-κB, this signal is dispensable for LPS-inducible cytoprotective activity. LPS intracellular signals are transmitted through a member of the Toll-like receptor family, TLR4. This family of receptors transduces signals through a downstream molecule, TNFR-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). In this study, we demonstrate that the C-terminal fragment of TRAF6 (TRAF6-C) inhibits LPS-induced NF-κB nuclear translocation and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activation in endothelial cells. In contrast, LPS activation of p38 kinase is not inhibited by TRAF6-C. TRAF6-C also inhibits LPS-initiated endothelial apoptosis, but potentiates TNF-induced apoptosis. LPS-induced loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, cytochrome c release, and caspase activation are all blocked by TRAF6-C. We demonstrate that TRAF6 signals apoptosis via JNK activation, since inhibition of JNK activation using a dominant-negative mutant also inhibits apoptosis. JNK inhibition blocks caspase activation, but the reverse is not true. Hence, JNK activation lies upstream of caspase activation in response to LPS stimulation.
Cluster-centric cache utilization design in cooperative small cell networks

In this paper, we propose an adaptive cluster-centric small cell network with cooperative caching and transmission design, in which small base stations (SBSs) are grouped into disjoint clusters and in-cluster cache space is utilized as an entity. We design a combined caching scheme where part of the available cache space is reserved for caching the most popular content in every SBS, while the remaining is used to increase the content diversity. Depending on the availability of the requested content, either joint transmission (JT) or parallel transmission (PT) is used to deliver the content to the served user. We provide analytical results on the successful content delivery probability of both schemes for a user located at the cluster center. The optimal cache utilization strategy to maximize the cache service probability is determined as a function of network parameters, revealing an interesting tradeoff between transmission diversity and content diversity. Simulation results show that our proposed cooperative design finely combines the benefits of cache-level and signal-level cooperation schemes.
NAFTA and the Wages of Married Women

Using US Census data for 1990-2000, we estimate effects of NAFTA on US wages, focusing on differences by gender. We find that NAFTA tariff reductions are associated with substantially reduced wage growth for married blue-collar women, much larger than the effect for other demographic groups. We investigate several possible explanations for this finding. It is not explained by differential sensitivity of female-dominated occupations to trade shocks, or by household bargaining that makes married women workers less able to change their industry of employment than other workers. We find some support for an explanation based on an equilibrium theory of selective non-participation in the labor market, whereby some of the higher-wage married women workers in their industry drop out of the labor market in response to their industry's loss of tariff. However, this does not fully explain the findings so we are left with a puzzle.
A pilot study on systemic thrombolysis followed by low molecular weight heparin in ischemic stroke

Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) administered immediately after intravenous thrombolysis (IT) may reduce the risk of arterial re‐occlusion. Its benefit, however, may not outweigh the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). We sought preliminary data regarding safety of this combined therapy in an open‐label, non‐randomized study. The patients received either a standard anticoagulation (AC) starting 24 h after IT (the standard AC group) or AC with 2850 IU of nadroparin, given every 12 h immediately after IT (the early AC group). Sixty patients received IT treatment: 25 in the standard AC group [mean age 66, median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 13, 64% men] and 35 in the early AC group (mean age 68, median NIHSS 13, 69% men). Symptomatic ICH occurred in one patient (4%) in the standard AC group and three patients (8.6%) in the early AC group [odds ratio (OR) 1.8; 95%CI 0.2–12.8]. At 3 months, nine patients in the standard AC group (36%) and 16 patients in the early AC group (45.7%) achieved a modified Rankin scale 0 or 1 (OR 1.2; 95%CI 0.5–3.2). Our study suggests that treatment with LMWH could be associated with higher odds of ICH, although it may not necessarily lead to a worse outcome. This justifies larger clinical trials.
[Preparation conditions optimization of Epimedium polysaccharide liposome].

OBJECTIVE To optimize the preparation conditions of Epimedium polysaccharide liposome (EPSL). METHODS EPSL was prepared by membrane distribution-supersound method. In preparation of EPSL test, an orthogonal L9 (3(4)) test was used to optimize the preparation conditions, with four factors of ratio of drug to lipid, ratio of lecithin to cholesterol, ultrasonic time and water bath temperature and two indexes of encapsulation efficiency and drug-loading rate. The encapsulation efficiency of EPSL was determined by protamine method. RESULTS Optimal preparation condition of EPSL was that ratio of drug to lipid, ratio of lecithin to cholesterol, ultrasonic time and water bath temperature were 1: 30, 4: 1,10 min and 40 degrees C respectively. CONCLUSION EPSL prepared under Optimal conditions has the property of high encapsulation efficiency and drug-loading rate.
Immigrants’ support for social spending, self‐interest and the role of the group: A comparative study of immigrants in The Netherlands

This study examined immigrants' support for social spending. We tested the dominant self-interest hypothesis for a number of immigrant groups in the Netherlands with highly varying socio-economic positions. We additionally examined the effect of immigrants' group interest by testing the relevance of in-group immigrant benefit participation rates and their effect on support for social spending. In this article, we discuss how immigrants' sense of belonging to a group affects the association between immigrants' self- and group interests in welfare and their support for social spending. We found that self-interest has explanatory relevance, but that this is strongly correlated with level of income. Results showed weak support for the effect of group interest. Instead of the expected moderation effects of sense of belonging on the self- and group-interest explanations of support for social spending, the results showed a direct effect of sense of belonging on support for social spending
Assessment of Pancreatic and Hepatic Function in Yucatan Miniature Swine Exhibiting Impaired Glucose Tolerance

A group of Yucatan miniature swine exhibiting impaired glucose tolerance (Kq = .91 +/- .04), were examined with respect to their portal and hepatic vein insulin levels following a fasting intravenous glucose tolerance test. The majority of these animals (9 of 11) were found to exhibit the expected portal vein insulin deficiency. This deficiency was found to encompass all phases of the insulin response and was not limited to the acute secretory phase. The remaining two animals were found to have normal portal vein insulin concentrations while exhibiting reduced hepatic vein insulin levels, and impaired glucose tolerance. An excessive rate of hepatic insulin extraction is proposed to explain the etiology of the insulin deficiency and glucose intolerance observed in these latter two animals.
Reactive oxygen species induced by Streptococcus pyogenes invasion trigger apoptotic cell death in infected epithelial cells

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus, GAS), one of the most common pathogens of humans, attaches and invades into human pharyngeal or skin epithelial cells. We have previously reported that induction of apoptosis is associated with GAS invasion, which induces mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptotic cell death. We demonstrate here that GAS‐induced apoptosis is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Both the induction of apoptosis and ROS production markedly increased upon invasion of wild‐type GAS strain JRS4 into HeLa cells; however, the apoptotic response was not observed in fibronectin‐binding protein F1‐disrupted mutant SAM1‐infected cells. In Bcl‐2‐overexpressing HeLa cells (HBD98‐2‐4), the induction of apoptosis, ROS production and mitochondrial dysfunction were significantly suppressed, whereas the numbers of invaded GAS was not different between HeLa (mock cells) and the HeLa HBD98‐2‐4 cells. Whereas Rac1 activation occurred during GAS invasion, ROS production in GAS‐infected cells was clearly inhibited by transfection with the Rac1 mutants (L37 or V12L37), but not by the dominant active mutant (V12L61) or by the dominant negative mutant (N17). These observations indicate that GAS invasion triggers ROS production through Rac1 activation and generated ROS induced mitochondrial dysfunction leading to cellular apoptosis.
Simplifying prediction method for traffic noise based on FHWA traffic noise model

Based on analyzing and discussion of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) traffic noise model, a new simplifying prediction method, which shows the connection between the traffic noise increment with increase of traffic volume, was put forward. In addition, the applications of the simplifying prediction method and its application qualifications were discussed and evaluated. The results show that the simplified model can improve the working efficiency and guarantee the accuracy of traffic noise predicted results, which has a widespread application in environmental impact assessment and environmental protection acceptance test for highway project, as well as in the environmental management in operation period.
Validation of the Perceived Stress Scale in a community sample of older adults

Three versions of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS‐14, PSS‐10, and PSS‐4) are among the most widely used measures of stress. The aim of the current study was to validate this instrument in a sample of nondemented older adults to facilitate studies of the impact of stress on health.
Impact of a new assay for measuring serum creatinine levels on carboplatin dosing.

PURPOSE The impact of converting to the isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS)-traceable serum creatinine (SCr) assay for determining the calculated and delivered dose of carboplatin was studied. METHODS A single-center, retrospective, observational chart review of adult patients who received a dose of carboplatin within one month before and after implementation of the IDMS-traceable SCr assay was conducted using information available in medical records and chemotherapy orders. Patient-specific data were collected and used to calculate a carboplatin dose before and after the SCr assay change using the Cockcroft-Gault equation, with the Calvert et al. formula used to calculate the carboplatin dose based on the target area under the concentration-time curve in the chemotherapy order forms. The primary outcome was the difference in calculated carboplatin dose, assessed as the percent difference between the mean carboplatin dose before and after the assay change. Results Fifty-six patients were included in the data analysis. The mean calculated carboplatin dose was 9.6% greater when the IDMS-traceable assay was used compared with the previous institutional standard enzymatic assay. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.005). Nearly 50% of patients received a dose of carboplatin that was increased by >10% compared with the dose received before conversion to the IDMS-traceable assay for SCr measurement. CONCLUSION After implementation of the IDMS-traceable assay, the mean calculated carboplatin dose was 9.6% larger than before implementation, and nearly 50% of patients received a dose of carboplatin that was increased by greater than 10% compared with the dose received before the assay change.
Sequence and functional analysis of a 7·2 kb DNA fragment containing four open reading frames located between RPB5 and CDC28 on the right arm of chromosome II

In a coordinated approach, several laboratories sequenced Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome II during the European BRIDGE project. Here we report on the sequence and functional analysis of a 7217 bp fragment located on the right arm of chromosome II between RPB5 and CDC28. The fragment contains four open reading frames probably encoding proteins of 79·2 kDa (corresponding gene YBR156c), 12·1 kDa (YBR157c), 62·7 kDa (YBR158w) and 38·7 kDa (YBR159w). All four open reading frames encode new proteins, as concluded from data base searches. The respective genes were destroyed by gene replacement in one allele of diploid cells. After sporulation and tetrad analysis, the resulting mutant haploid strains were investigated. No phenotype with respect to spore germination, viability, carbohydrate utilization, and growth was found for YBR157c, encoding the smallest open reading frame investigated. Gene replacement within the YBR156c gene encoding a highly basic and possibly nuclear located protein was lethal. Ybr158 revealed similarities to the Grr1 (Cat80) protein with respect to the leucine‐rich region. Cells harboring a mutation in the YBR158w gene showed strongly reduced growth as compared to the wild‐type cells. The protein predicted from YBR159w shared 33% identical amino acid residues with the human estradiol 17‐beta‐hydroxysterol dehydrogenase 3. Haploid ybr159c mutants were only able to grow at reduced temperatures, but even under these conditions the mutants grew slower than wild‐type strains. The DNA sequence was deposited at the EMBL data base with accession numbers Z36025 (YBR156c), Z36026 (YBR157c), Z36027 (YBR158w) and Z36028 (YBR159w).
Taming Fluctuations in a Stochastic Model of Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity

A stochastic model of spike-timing-dependent plasticity proposes that single synapses express fixed-amplitude jumps in strength, the amplitudes being independent of the spike time difference. However, the probability that a jump in strength occurs does depend on spike timing. Although the model has a number of desirable features, the stochasticity of response of a synapse introduces potentially large fluctuations into changes in synaptic strength. These can destabilize the segregated patterns of afferent connectivity characteristic of neuronal development. Previously we have taken these jumps to be small relative to overall synaptic strengths to control fluctuations, but doing so increases developmental timescales unacceptably. Here, we explore three alternative ways of taming fluctuations. First, a calculation of the variance for the change in synaptic strength shows that the mean change eventually dominates fluctuations, but on timescales that are too long. Second, it is possible that fluctuations in strength may cancel between synapses, but we show that correlations between synapses emasculate the law of large numbers. Finally, by separating plasticity induction and expression, we introduce a temporal window during which induction signals are low-pass-filtered before expression. In this way, fluctuations in strength are tamed, stabilizing segregated states of afferent connectivity.
Prevalence of a Gene Encoding Adhesin Involved in Diffuse Adherence among Escherichia Coli Isolates in Pigs with Postweaning Diarrhea or Edema Disease

A total of 604 Escherichia coli strains isolated from weaned pigs with diarrhea or edema disease on 653 swine farms were screened for the presence of the adhesin involved in diffuse adherence (AIDA) gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Escherichia coli isolates that carried AIDA genes were also tested by PCR for the detection of 5 fimbriae (F4, F5, F6, F18, and F41), 3 heat-stable (STa, STb, and EAST1) and 1 heat-labile (LT) enterotoxin, and Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e) genes. Forty-five (7.5%) of the 604 E. coli isolates carried the gene for AIDA. Of these 45 isolates, 5 (11.1%) carried EAST1 genes only, 1 (2.2%) carried genes for at least one of the fimbrial adhesins, 12 (26.7%) carried genes for at least one of the toxins, and 27 (60%) carried genes for at least one of the fimbrial adhesins and toxins. Fifty-one percent of strains that carried AIDA genes carried Stx2e genes, and 40% of strains that carried AIDA genes carried F18ab. The isolation rate of enterotoxigenic E. coli strain carrying genes for AIDA was 87%, and the isolation rate of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strain carrying genes for AIDA was 49%. AIDA may represent an important virulence determinant in pigs with postweaning diarrhea or edema disease.
An empirical analysis of the efficiency determinants in the Southern African electricity sector: evidence and policy implications

Abstract The on-going electricity sector reforms in Southern Africa aim to improve the technical performance of incumbent state-owned electric companies. Despite the reforms, these companies do not always satisfactorily meet the growing demand for electricity distribution. As a result, there is a clear need for in-depth analysis on the performance of these companies. Against this backdrop, we assessed the relative efficiency of twelve (12) state-owned electric companies operating in Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) during the period of 2004–2015 using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) window analysis. In the second stage, we boostrapped the efficiency scores with a truncated regression. According to the analyses, regional efficiency improvements have been limited. Moreover, the results revealed that natural monopoly, GDP per capita, company age, and country size all have a statistically significant impact on companies’ efficiency. However, government ownership does not affect the efficiency of companies. To this respect, policy implications were suggested to enhance regional technical efficiency.