Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneous Impacts Of Cooperatives On Smallholders’ Commercialization Behavior: Evidence From Ethiopia.

This paper examines the impact of marketing cooperatives on smallholder commercialization of cereals using detailed household data in rural Ethiopia. We use the strong government role in promoting the establishment of cooperatives to justify the use of propensity score matching in order to compare households that are cooperative members to similar households in comparable areas without cooperatives. The analysis reveals that while cooperatives obtain higher prices for their members, they are not associated with a significant increase in the overall share of cereal production sold commercially by their members. However, these average results hide considerable heterogeneity in the impact across households. In particular, we find smaller farmers tend reduce their marketed output as a result of higher prices, while the opposite is true for larger farmers. JEL Classification: Q13, O12
Rough Set and Conflict Analysis to Discover the Conflicts, Alliances and Neutralities among the Iraqi People Components

The democratic era in Iraq that began in Iraq after the spring of 2003 resulted in a conflict among political, ethnic, religious and nationalism components of Iraq. This paper provides an unprecedented research based on scientific foundations to discover the conflicts and alliances among the components of the Iraqi people and determine future Iraqi's tendencies. It depends on the concepts of rough set and conflict analysis. The research required many steps to be achieved. Such steps are: determining the Iraqi vital issues, creating what so-called "information system" database, (IS), submitting the IS to rough set and conflict theory depending on the general system for conflict analysis presented in [1], and modification of conflict model to predict the extension of "Enmity" and "friendship" concepts depending on the suggested algorithms and operations presented in [2]. Twelve vital issues were selected, depending on rough set's reduct operation, out of 31 issues. 5692 Iraqis, belong to eight Iraqi blocs, expressed their opinions about the selected issues. The opinions were attained using electronic opinion acquisition system prepared for this purpose. The participator's opinion may be positive, neutral, or negative. The research discovered 42, 11, and 43 positive, neutrals, and negative opinions respectively. However, the overall conflict situation was 17 alliances, 10 conflicts, and 1 neutral relation. The paper includes the prediction that the unique neutral relation would change to an alliance relation. The degree of the strongest conflict between two major Iraqi components was 0.9166667, while the degree of the highest alliance between two Iraqi components is 0.04166667.
β-Glucosidase 2 (GBA2) Activity and Imino Sugar Pharmacology*

Background: GBA2 and GBA are both β-glucosidases that degrade glucosylceramide. Results: Conduritol B epoxide inactivates both GBA and GBA2, whereas the imino sugar NB-DGJ selectively inhibits GBA2. Conclusion: NB-DGJ is a suitable reagent to distinguish GBA2 from GBA. Significance: This study redefines GBA2 activity, which is relevant for clinical GBA2 measurements and imino sugar pharmacology. β-Glucosidase 2 (GBA2) is an enzyme that cleaves the membrane lipid glucosylceramide into glucose and ceramide. The GBA2 gene is mutated in genetic neurological diseases (hereditary spastic paraplegia and cerebellar ataxia). Pharmacologically, GBA2 is reversibly inhibited by alkylated imino sugars that are in clinical use or are being developed for this purpose. We have addressed the ambiguity surrounding one of the defining characteristics of GBA2, which is its sensitivity to inhibition by conduritol B epoxide (CBE). We found that CBE inhibited GBA2, in vitro and in live cells, in a time-dependent fashion, which is typical for mechanism-based enzyme inactivators. Compared with the well characterized impact of CBE on the lysosomal glucosylceramide-degrading enzyme (glucocerebrosidase, GBA), CBE inactivated GBA2 less efficiently, due to a lower affinity for this enzyme (higher KI) and a lower rate of enzyme inactivation (kinact). In contrast to CBE, N-butyldeoxygalactonojirimycin exclusively inhibited GBA2. Accordingly, we propose to redefine GBA2 activity as the β-glucosidase that is sensitive to inhibition by N-butyldeoxygalactonojirimycin. Revised as such, GBA2 activity 1) was optimal at pH 5.5–6.0; 2) accounted for a much higher proportion of detergent-independent membrane-associated β-glucosidase activity; 3) was more variable among mouse tissues and neuroblastoma and monocyte cell lines; and 4) was more sensitive to inhibition by N-butyldeoxynojirimycin (miglustat, Zavesca®), in comparison with earlier studies. Our evaluation of GBA2 makes it possible to assess its activity more accurately, which will be helpful in analyzing its physiological roles and involvement in disease and in the pharmacological profiling of monosaccharide mimetics.
Evaluation of relaxed memory consistency models for multithreaded multiprocessors

Stochastic timed Petri nets are developed to evaluate the relative performance of distributed shared memory models for scalable multithreaded multiprocessors. The shared memory models evaluated include the Sequential Consistency (SC), the Weak Consistency (WC), the Processor Consistency (PC) and the Release Consistency (RC) models. Under saturated conditions, we found that multithreading contributes more than 50% of the performance improvement, while the improvement from memory consistency models varies between 20% to 40% of the total performance gain. Our analytical results reveal the lowest performance of the SC model. The PC model requires to use larger write buffers and may perform even lower than the SC model if a small buffer was used. The performance of the WC model depends heavily on the synchronization rate in user code. For a low synchronization rate, the WC model performs as well as the RC model. With sufficient multithreading and network bandwidth, the RC model shows the best performance among the four models.
A Multi-keyword Multi-user Searchable Encryption Scheme Based on Cloud Storage

With the development of cloud computing, the huge growth of data from electronic business or social network leads to a trend that the owners of data are inclined to outsource their data (usually encrypted) to cloud storage servers. Leveraging searchable encryption technologies can not only guarantee the confidentiality and integrity of the data, but also achieve an effective search on encrypted data. Compared with the single keyword search, the multi-keyword search has an important practical significance for its more precise retrieval of data. Meanwhile, aimed at the defects in existing searchable encryption schemes, such as the unsatisfactory search efficiency and no support for multi-user search, etc., in this paper, we propose a multi-keyword multi-user searchable encryption scheme based on cloud storage, which is realized through secure interactions between authorized users and cloud severs. Our proposal adopts the encryption of exponent which is realized through secure interactions between authorized users and cloud severs involved generation of secure trapdoor and is of indistinguishability against adaptive chosen keyword attack (IND-CKA). Subsequently, theoretical and empirical evaluations demonstrate the desirable retrieval efficiency of our proposal compared with current methods. And meanwhile, our proposal achieves the access controllability of the encrypted data, and is of dynamic addition and revocation of authorized users, at the same time is of dynamic update of the user accessing to files.
CLCA Splicing Isoform Associated with Adhesion through β1-Integrin and Its Scaffolding Protein

Background: CLCA family members have been shown to be multifunctional proteins. Results: A rat splicing isoform was localized to the stratum basale of the epidermis. This isoform was found to alter β1-integrin expression and cell adhesion. Conclusion: This isoform may modulate the adhesive potential of undifferentiated epithelial cells. Significance: Cell-specific splicing might confer a novel function on the epithelium. We previously found that a rat CLCA homologue (rCLCA-f) modulates Ca2+-dependent Cl− transport in the ductal cells of the rat submandibular gland. CLCA proteins have been shown to be multifunctional, with roles in, for example, cell adhesion. Here, we describe the mRNA and protein expressions of a splicing isoform of rat rCLCA (rCLCA-t). This isoform is a 514-amino acid protein containing a C-terminal 59-amino acid that is distinct from the rCLCA-f sequence. Immunohistochemistry revealed rCLCA-t to be located in the basal cells of the rat submandibular gland excretory duct and the stratum basale of rat epidermis, whereas rCLCA-f was detected in cells during the process of differentiation. In a heterologous expression system, rCLCA-t was found to be a membrane protein present predominantly in the perinuclear region, and not to be either present on the cell surface or secreted. rCLCA-t failed to enhance ionomycin-induced Cl− conductance (unlike rCLCA-f). When compared with rCLCA-f, it weakened cell attachment to a greater extent and in a manner that was evidently modulated by intracellular Ca2+, protein kinase C, and β1-integrin. rCLCA-t was found to associate with RACK1 (receptor for activated C kinase) and to reduce expression of mature β1-integrin. Treatment of rat skin with rCLCA-t siRNA increased the expression of β1-integrin in the stratum basale of the epidermis. These results are consistent with cell-specific splicing of rCLCA mRNA playing a role in the modulation of the adhesive potential of undifferentiated epithelial cells.
Purchasing power parity with threshold effects for Central and Eastern European countries

This study applies nonlinear threshold unit-root test to assess the nonstationarity properties of the Real Exchange Rate (RER) for seven Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC). We find that nonlinear threshold unit-root test has higher power than linear method suggested by Caner and Hansen (2001) if the true data-generating process of exchange rate is in fact a stationary nonlinear process. We examine the validity of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) from the nonlinear point of view and provide robust evidence that clearly indicates that PPP holds true for three countries, namely Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria. Our findings point out their exchange rate adjustment mean-reverts towards PPP equilibrium values in a nonlinear way.
Building community in the classroom

and provide them with access to social opportunities (Burke, 2002; Keefe et al., 2006; Kluth, 1998). In this chapter, I outline ways in which teachers can build classroom communities that encourage relationships and connection. I also provide suggestions for facilitating social interaction in the diverse classroom. Finally, I provide ideas for supporting the social lives of individual students with autism.
Market Orientation and Performance: Do the Findings Established in Large Firms Hold in the Small Business Sector?

ABSTRACT This study examined whether the market orientation-performance link established in large firm studies hold in the small business sector and tested for the possible effects of market growth, competitive intensity, market and technological turbulence on any identified relationships. Specific performance measures used were new product success, sales growth and ROI. Based on constructs of the aforementioned variables, a research instrument was developed for the study and data were gathered through a self-administered mail survey among a U.K. sample of small firms. Our findings suggest that there is a positive impact of market orientation upon small business performance. In addition, evidence is provided on the mixed effects of the competitive environment on the market orientation-performance relationship. To conclude, we discuss implications of the findings for small business managers as well as study limitations and future research directions.
A comparison between a DNN and a CRF disfluency detection and reconstruction system

We propose to compare between a Deep Neural Network and a Conditional Random Field disﬂuency detection and reconstruction system, both trained on the same features. Deep Neural Networks, despite an increasing popularity in a multitude of speech and language related tasks, were never applied to dis-ﬂuency recognition. One of the most difﬁcult classes of disﬂu-ency is false starts. We are interested in comparing these two approaches on recognition of different types of disﬂuency. Our experimental results over the SSR v2 corpus show that the DNN approach outperforms CRF slightly on repetition disﬂuencies. However, DNN exhibits a very low recall ( 17 : 6% compared to 26 : 3% of the CRF) over the more difﬁcult false start recognition subtask. When applied to a corpus of sentences with only false starts, the two methods give both higher results ( 46 : 7% F-score for CRF and 44 : 2% F-score for DNN). We also propose to improve the overall results on false start by training our classiﬁers in two stages: the ﬁrst to recognize non-false start errors, the second for false start only, and combining the two approaches using a simple voting algorithm. This allows us to obtain the best result of 52 : 2% F-score over false start.
Promoter specificity determinants of T7 RNA polymerase.

The high specificity of T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP) for its promoter sequence is mediated, in part, by a specificity loop (residues 742-773) that projects into the DNA binding cleft (1). Previous work demonstrated a role for the amino acid residue at position 748 (N748) in this loop in discrimination of the base pairs (bp) at positions -10 and -11 (2). A comparison of the sequences of other phage RNAPs and their promoters suggested additional contacts that might be important in promoter recognition. We have found that changing the amino acid residue at position 758 in T7 RNAP results in an enzyme with altered specificity for the bp at position -8. The identification of two amino acid:base pair contacts (i.e., N748 with the bp at -10 and -11, and Q758 with the bp at -8) provides information concerning the disposition of the specificity loop relative to the upstream region of the promoter. The results suggest that substantial rearrangements of the loop (and/or the DNA) are likely to be required to allow these amino acids to interact with their cognate base pairs during promoter recognition.
Determinants of Technical Efficiency of Rice Farms in North-Central and North-Western Regions in Bangladesh

This paper estimates a quadratic stochastic frontier production function to examine the determinants of technical efficiency in rice farming in Bangladesh using the computer program FRONTIER 4.1. Primary data has been collected using multi-stage random sampling technique from twelve villages in north-central and north-western regions in Bangladesh. Rice cultivation displayed much variability in technical efficiency ranging from 0.16 to 0.94 with mean technical efficiency of 0.83 which suggested substantial gains in output with available resources and existing technologies. The analysis of the determinants of technical efficiency revealed that the age and education of the household heads, availability of off-farm incomes, land fragmentation, access to microfinance, extension visits, and regional variation were the major factors that caused efficiency differentials among the farm households studied. Hence, the study proposes strategies such as providing better extension services and farmer training programs, ensuring access to agricultural microfinance, reducing land fragmentation and raising educational level of the farmers to enhance technical efficiency.
Divisions Felon Disenfranchisement : The Judiciary ' s Role in Renegotiating Racial

Felon disenfranchisement is deeply rooted in U.S. history as a form of punishment and as a tool to inhibit African Americans from voting. Today, there are 5.3 million U.S. residents politically disenfranchised due to a felony conviction—about 2 million of whom are African Americans. The overrepresentation of African Americans disenfranchised, and the U.S. history of racism, brings forth the question of how these laws continue to exist. The objective of this study is to demonstrate, through a socio–legal approach, the federal court system’s role in perpetuating and maintaining the ethnoracial divisions in society through the validation and rationalization of felon disenfranchisement laws. We aim to demonstrate how over the past century many disenfranchisement laws have been ‘‘whitewashed’’ in order to eliminate any indication of racially motivated practices, a practice that coincides with the historic expansion of the penal state in the controlling of minority populations.
Digital natives, dropouts and refugees: Educational challenges for innovative cities

Abstract However cities respond to the monumental challenges of climate change, trans-national migration, diversity, and scarce resources, one aspect of city life remains certain: children will continue to require an education. How this education is shaped, how its content is formulated and delivered, and how it constructs who a student is, remain open and troubling questions. The larger social and political context in which schools are embedded will also help shape the innovations that will be deployed in an effort to raise the quality of education and encourage innovative citizens of the future.
A Measurement Tool of End-User Computing Capability in Competency Perspective

A measurement tool is developed to totally measure the end-user computing capability in a computing environment, and the tool provides the method and process to effectively measure it. The validity of the tool construct is presented by factor analysis through a survey measurement of 137 respondents, and a 17-item measurement tool is proposed. The application of the tool is confirmed by applying it to measuring the computing competency of the end-users in a computing environment and presenting the results for them.
"Let me comment on your video": supporting personalized end-user comments within third-party online videos

Long before the first transmission in color of a World Cup in 1970, people used to gather around the few existing radio and TV sets to watch together and talk about their favorite programs. Decades later, not only the technology has significantly changed but also people's consumption and commenting habits. Nowadays, one can easily watch an online video on demand and share comments with others asynchronously. However, current video commenting facilities do not take into account the temporal nature of videos. Viewers can only add comments that will then appear statically underneath the video. Motivated by a survey research on current media watching and commenting practices, we report on our findings from the evaluation of an online video commenting system that allows users to add synchronized comments to third-party videos. Our results indicate that users appreciate the functionalities of our system and find it better to comment when compared to existing tools. Ultimately, we hope that our work can bring insights to be considered in the design of next generation online video commenting tools.
A randomized trial of telephone-based motivational interviewing for adolescent chronic headache with medication overuse

Introduction Nearly 2% of youths suffer from chronic migraine or chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). A contributing factor in approximately 20%–50% of these youths is medication overuse, which involves taking analgesics three or more times per week for three months. The objective of this study was to test motivational interviewing (MI) as an approach to promote adherence to recommendations regarding not only analgesic overuse but also other aspects of treatment plans. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted comparing the experimental condition (standard of care clinic-based treatment with supplemental MI phone calls; n = 24) to a control condition (standard of care clinic-based treatment without these supplemental MI phone calls; n = 23). Four months after enrollment, a research assistant who was blinded to study condition telephoned adolescents inquiring about headache frequency, headache severity, and disability. Results Headache frequency was lower in the experimental condition versus control condition for those with relatively lower initial levels of headache frequency. In contrast, we did not find greater improvement in headache severity and disability for the experimental condition relative to the control condition. Discussion Our findings provided some preliminary, albeit limited, support for MI as an approach to improve outcomes for adolescent medication-overuse headache (MOH).
APPLICABILITY OF THE HYPERGEOMETRIC PHENOTYPIC MODEL TO HAPLOID AND DIPLOID POPULATIONS

We show that the phenotypic hypergeometric model of a quantitative trait can exactly describe both haploid and diploid populations. The condition necessary for this is equiprobability of genotypes within each phenotype. This requires equal allele frequencies across the loci, which may be the case when the population is under disruptive selection.
Feature extraction of gearbox vibration signals based on EEMD and sample entropy

Gearbox vibration signals are non-stationary and nonlinear. In order to identify different working conditions of the gearbox, the eigenvalues of corresponding signals should be extracted. The paper proposed for the first time a method of combining ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and sample entropy to extract effectively the eigenvalues of corresponding gearbox vibration signals of wind turbine in three different states, namely normal gear, worn gear and gear with broken teeth. The results showed that EEMD could overcome the problem of frequency aliasing and had the advantage of strong adaptability, while the sample entropy could solve the problem of lower relative consistency of approximate entropy in small sample data processing, and improve the computing speed as well. The method of combining EEMD and the sample entropy could show the status characteristics of gearbox vibration signals well during the process of feature extraction. The new feature extraction method is fast, effective, reliable, and it can provide a reliable input vector of characteristic value for the following fault classification.