Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motives and Determinants of FDI: A VECM Analysis for Oman

The article examines the motives and determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Oman during the period 1980–2013. It investigates the market size, natural resources, inflation rate, trade openness and government expenditures as factors influencing FDI. Cointegration and vector error correction model (VECM) approach are used to identify the short- and long-run dynamics of the FDI determinants. The Johansen cointegration test reveals an existence of long-run relationship among the FDI determinants. This long relationship indicates that FDI flows in Oman are positively influenced by the market size and natural resources, and negatively by inflation rate and degree of openness. The error correction term suggests that approximately 36 per cent of total disequilibrium in FDI flows was being corrected each year. Moreover, Granger causality results show that there is a unidirectional causality running from each of the market size and natural resources to FDI, indicating that flows of FDI into Oman are characterized by market-seeking and resource-seeking motives.
Effect of Mouth Rinses with Fluoride and Trimetaphosphate on Enamel Erosion: An in vitro Study

The effect of mouth rinses containing fluoride (100 µg/ml) and sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) on enamel erosion was evaluated in vitro. Bovine enamel blocks were subjected to erosive challenges 4 times per day for 5 min, followed by treatment with placebo, 225 µg F/ml, 100 µg F/ml, 100 µg F/ml and TMP (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) solutions (30 s) and storage in artificial saliva, over a duration of 5 days. TMP groups showed lower enamel wear than fluoride-only and placebo groups (p < 0.05). Addition of TMP at a TMP:NaF molar proportion between 1.24:1 and 3.72:1 to a solution containing 100 µg F/ml presented a greater protective effect under erosive conditions than a solution containing 225 µg F/ml, in the absence of TMP.
Effect of Acute and Chronic Dosing over 24 Hours

We have discussed today some of the aspects of the desirability or otherwise of treating hypertension and we have heard evidence that patient acceptability is important. This has probably improved with beta-blocking drugs as a group. Acceptability and compliance are likely to be better if the drug is given as infrequently as possible. Originally, hypotensive drugs were given four times a day, then three times, then twice, and now once a day use is being discussed. Together with Dr John Cruickshank of ICI we have been looking into the possibilities of giving atenolol once a day. Besterman (1976) and Kendall & Yates (1976) recently reported escape from f-blockade at 24 hours on metoprolol and acebutolol in studies based on only one dose in otherwise untreated patients. On the other hand, Cruickshank & Douglas-Jones (1976) reported favourably on once daily dosage of atenolol in general practice. We therefore thought it appropriate to study atenolol both after a single administration and also following a period of chronic administration, to reproduce more accurately the effects of the drug in clinical practice.
The anticancer activity of the transcription inhibitor terameprocol (meso-tetra-O-methyl nordihydroguaiaretic acid) formulated for systemic administration

Terameprocol (meso-tetra-O-methyl nordihydroguaiaretic acid, formerly known as EM-1421 and M4N) is a semi-synthetic small molecule with antitumor activity occurring via selective targeting of Sp1-regulated proteins, including survivin and cdc2 that control cell cycle and apoptosis. Terameprocol is in clinical development as a site-specific transcription inhibitor in solid refractory tumors. The present studies were designed to investigate the in-vitro and in-vivo anticancer activity of terameprocol in a novel hydroxypropyl &bgr;-cyclodextrin and polyethylene glycol solvent formulation (designated CPE) designed for safe parenteral administration. Terameprocol powder was dissolved in CPE (20% hydroxypropyl &bgr;-cyclodextrin and 50% polyethylene glycol 300 or 30% hydroxypropyl &bgr;-cyclodextrin and 25% polyethylene glycol 300) or dimethyl sulfoxide and used for in-vitro cell proliferation assays, and in human carcinoma xenograft studies using female athymic nude mice injected with SW-780 human bladder cells. Terameprocol (50 and 100 mg/kg), paclitaxel (5 mg/kg), terameprocol and paclitaxel or vehicle was administered intraperitoneally daily for 21 days. Stock solutions of the CPE formulation were stable for up to 12 months. Terameprocol CPE formulation showed concentration-dependent inhibition of HeLa and C33A cell proliferation, and was less toxic than terameprocol dimethyl sulfoxide formulation. The terameprocol CPE formulation showed no overt toxicities in tumor-bearing mice. Terameprocol alone reduced the rate of tumor growth, and a combination of terameprocol/paclitaxel reduced both the rate and extent of tumor growth. These preclinical results confirm the tumoricidal activity of terameprocol formulated in a solvent suitable for parenteral administration and suggest that terameprocol has improved efficacy when coadministered with paclitaxel.
Conditional Expression of Fibroblast Growth Factor-7 in the Developing and Mature Lung*

Effects of fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF-7) on lung morphogenesis, respiratory epithelial cell differentiation, and proliferation were assessed in transgenic mice in which the humanFGF-7 cDNA was controlled by a conditional promoter under the direction of regulatory elements from either the human surfactant protein-C (SP-C) or rat Clara cell secretory protein (ccsp) genes. Expression of FGF-7 was induced in respiratory epithelial cells of the fetal lung by administration of doxycycline to the dam. Prenatally, doxycycline inducedFGF-7 mRNA in respiratory epithelial cells in bothSp-c and Ccsp transgenic lines, increasing lung size and causing cystadenomatoid malformation. Postnatally, mice bearing both Ccsp-rtta and (Teto) 7 -cmv-fgf-7 transgenes survived, and lung morphology was normal. Induction of FGF-7 expression by doxycycline in the Ccsp-rtta × (Teto) 7 -cmv-fgf-7 mice caused marked epithelial cell proliferation, adenomatous hyperplasia, and pulmonary infiltration with mononuclear cells. Epithelial cell hyperplasia caused by FGF-7 was largely resolved after removal of doxycycline. Surfactant proteins, TTF-1, and aquaporin 5 expression were conditionally induced by doxycycline. The Sp-c-rttaand Ccsp-rtta activator mice provide models in which expression is conditionally controlled in respiratory epithelial cells in the developing and mature lung, altering lung morphogenesis, differentiation, and proliferation.
The Importance of Jumps in Modelling Volatility During the 2008 Financial Crisis

We combine recent developments on extracting jumps from high frequency stock index data with the literature on option pricing with time varying volatility to model S&P 500 index returns from 2005. We compare the fit of several GARCH models, with and without jumps, from the historical return series to models imputed from the index options market across a range of strike prices. Whilst we find strong evidence of jumps in the period after September 2008, it is evident that much of the variation often attributed to jumps should in all likelihood be ascribed to an increase in the volatility of the continuous diffusion.
Seeds of Complexity: An Archaeobotanical Study of Incipient Social Complexity at Late Chalcolithic Çadır Höyük, Turkey

The Late Chalcolithic (LC: 4250–3000 B.C.E.) is an understudied period of Anatolian prehistory even though the roots of Anatolian social complexity lie in this period. Çadır Höyük, a mounded site on the north central Anatolian plateau occupied almost continuously from the Middle Chalcolithic period through the Byzantine period (5200 B.C.E.–1300 C.E.) has yielded over 460 m of excavated LC remains. This period witnessed rapid cultural and environmental change providing an opportunity to examine how populations react. The second half of the 4 millennium B.C.E. contained a period of rapid aridification beginning around 3200 B.C.E. as well as the rise (3600–3200 B.C.E.) and collapse (3200–3000 B.C.E.) of a long-distance trade network that influenced processes of incipient social complexity at Çadır. Archaeobotany, the study of the relationship between ancient plants and people, is an ideal tool to use to examine how populations reacted to these shifts due to plant’s direct relationship with the environment and the fact that plant use can be controlled at both the household and state level. This study presents data from 60 archaeobotanical samples spanning three periods of occupation (3500–3200 B.C.E., 3200 B.C.E., and 3200–3000 B.C.E.) to determine how the population at Çadır modified agricultural and fuel use practices between 3500 and 3000 B.C.E. using descriptive and multivariate statistics.
Variation across species in the size of the nuclear genome supports the junk-DNA explanation for the C-value paradox

The amount of DNA in the nuclear genome (the DNA C-value) of eukaryotes varies at least 80000-fold across species, and yet bears little or no relation to organismic complexity or to the number of proteincoding genes. This phenomenon is known as the C-value paradox. One explanation for the C-value paradox attributes the size of the nuclear genome to ‘junk’ (typically non-coding) genetic elements that accumulate until the costs to the organism of replicating excess DNA select against it. Across species, organisms that develop at a slower rate should tolerate more junk DNA. Alternatively, junk DNA may function as a nucleo-skeleton to maintain the volume of the nucleus at a size proportional to the volume of the cytoplasm in the cell. Across species, the DNA C-value is predicted to vary with the nuclear and cytoplasmic volumes of cells. Previous studies have not been able to distinguish between the skeletal-DNA and junk-DNA explanations for the C-value paradox. We report a study of DNA content in 24 salamander species which does. The size of the nuclear genome is correlated with developmental rate even after the effects of nuclear and cytoplasmic volume have been removed. However, genome size is not correlated with cytoplasmic volume after controlling for developmental rate. These results support the view that junk DNA accumulates in the nuclear genome until the costs of replicating it become too great, rather than that it functions as a nucleo-skeleton.
Geo-genetics patterns in Bambara groundnut : investigating the role of geography in the distribution of genetic variation

The study of the geo-genetic structure of human-associated plant species can help us to understand the ways that the landscape, environment, and socio-cultural factors influence these populations. This research project aims to identify spatial-related factors (distance, environment, culture) that affect the genetic structure of Bambara groundnut, an underutilised crop mainly cultivated in sub-Saharan Africa. I used a genetic database of 33 landraces of Bambara groundnut, 128 samples in total, genotyped using 19 microsatellite markers. I tested for the presence of genetic structure and genetic barriers using allele frequencies, ordination, and clustering analyses. Next, I explored how geographic distance, environment, and human-mediated dispersal influence genetic diversity by investigating the relationship between four measures of dissimilarity. I analysed these relationships using Mantel tests and structural equation modelling (SEM). Finally, I examined the relationship between genetic variation and soil water content using Moran's I statistics and generalised least squares (GLS) regression analyses. I found genetic structure among different landraces. The clustering analyses result indicated strong differentiation between landraces populations, with clusters mainly associating landraces to their geographic origins. The SEM results suggested that genetic similarity among landraces of Bambara is related to geographic proximity and, to a lesser extent, linguistic similarity between human communities. There was no relationship between genetic similarity and environmental differences. I also discussed the challenges and possible solutions for integrating distinct discipline-datasets. Overall, this thesis highlighted the importance of cultural aspects and social networks in the genetic structure of human-associated plant species.
Poverty across Europe: the latest evidence using the EU-SILC dataset

the rate of poverty varies between 10% and 23% in the countries of the European union. low levels of poverty characterize the scandinavian countries, the so-called Corporatist countries (austria, Germany), and the Czech republic, slovakia and slovenia among the ex-socialist countries. in contract, the risk of poverty tends to be relatively high in the mediterranean and the Baltic states. this policy Brief discusses the sensitivity of these estimates to the measures used and explores the underlying patterns across the vulnerable groups and the likely causes of poverty in these countries.
Cause-related sport marketing and its effects on consumer behavior

Cause-Related Sport Marketing and Its Effects on Consumer Behavior. (August 2009) Jae Deock Lee, B.A.; M.S., Yonsei University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Mauricio Ferreira Dr. George B. Cunningham The objective of this dissertation was to construct a customer-based cause-related sport marketing (CRSM) model and test the relationships among the proposed antecedents, consequences, and moderators. Three experimental studies were executed to achieve the research purpose. Study 1 aimed at examining how customers evaluate cause-related marketing (CRM) campaigns of team licensed products. A choice experiment (N=109) indicated that (a) a “social responsible” feature was the second most important attribute for choosing a baseball cap, (b) a low-fit, but familiar, CRM program was preferred to a high-fit, but unfamiliar, program, and (c) fan identification moderated the impact of sport/cause fit on students’ choice of team licensed products. Study 2 investigated the impact of personality and gender on consumer attitudes toward CRSM programs. A 2 (sport/cause fit) x 2 (motivation) within subject experiment (N=86) found that (a) both sport/cause fit and motivation engaging in CRSM significantly affected consumer attitudes toward CRSM, (b) females showed more positive attitudes toward CRSM programs, and (c) Agreeableness was positively related to consumer attitudes toward CRSM but Neuroticism was negatively associated.
Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia Versus Usual Interstitial Pneumonia: Differences in the Density Histogram of High-Resolution CT

Objective: To assess the capability of the density histogram of high-resolution CT (HRCT) in differentiating nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) from usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) without definite honeycombing. Methods: Twenty-eight NSIP and 32 UIP patients without definite honeycombing on CT were included in this study. We evaluated a CT image at the level of 1 cm above the diaphragm. The pixels of the lung parenchyma were classified into 4 ranges. The fractions of each range of corresponding density were calculated. The skewness (the degree of asymmetry of a distribution) and kurtosis (how sharply peaked a histogram is) were obtained from the density histogram. The mean value and the mode value of the lung attenuation were also measured. Results: The fraction of the range of ground-glass opacity and reticular opacity was greater in NSIP patients (32%, 12%) than in UIP patients (23%, 8%) (P < 0.001). UIP had a larger fraction of the range of normal lung. The density histogram was less skewed (P = 0.01) and had a wider peak (P = 0.02) in NSIP (skewness = 1.2879 ± 0.5672, kurtosis = 1.2115 ± 1.9470) than in UIP (skewness = 1.6426 ± 0.4664, kurtosis = 2.3880 ± 1.8183). Conclusion: The density histogram reflected the differences in the CT features between NSIP and UIP. Therefore, a density histogram may be helpful for differentiating NSIP from UIP without definite honeycombing.
Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells as Novel Feeder Layers for Promoting Ex Vivo Expansion of Limbal Epithelial Progenitor Cells

Human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) are a unique embryonic cell source that potentially can be used as feeder layers for expanding different types of stem cells. In vivo, HAECs uniformly expressed pan‐cytokeratins (pan‐CK) and heterogeneously expressed vimentin (Vim). The two phenotypes expressing either pan‐CK(+)/Vim(+) or pan‐CK(+)/Vim(‐) were maintained in serum‐free media with high calcium. In contrast, all HAECs became pan‐CK(+)/Vim(+) in serum‐containing media, which also promoted HAEC proliferation for at least eight passages, especially supplemented with epidermal growth factor and insulin. Mitomycin C‐arrested HAEC feeder layers were more effective in promoting clonal growth of human limbal epithelial progenitors than conventional 3T3 murine feeder layers. Cells in HAEC‐supported clones were uniformly smaller, sustained more proliferation, and expressed less CK12 and connexin 43 but higher levels of stem cell‐associated markers such as p63, Musashi‐1, and ATP‐binding cassette subfamily G2 than those of 3T3‐supported clones. Subculturing of clonally expanded limbal progenitors from HAEC feeder layers, but not from 3T3 feeder layers, gave rise to uniformly p63‐positive epithelial progenitor cells as well as nestin‐positive neuronal‐like progenitors. Collectively, these results indicated that HAECs can be used as a human feeder layer equivalent for more effective ex vivo expansion of adult epithelial stem cells from the human limbus.
In vitro and in vivo profile of SB 206553, a potent 5‐HT2C/5‐HT2B receptor antagonist with anxiolytic‐like properties

1 SB 206553 (5‐methyl‐1‐(3‐pyridylcarbamoyl)‐1,2,3,5‐tetrahydropyrrolo[2,3‐f]indole) displays a high affinity (pK1 7.9) for the cloned human 5‐HT2C receptor expressed in HEK 293 cells and the 5‐HT2B receptor (pA2 8.9) as measured in the rat stomach fundus preparation. SB 206553 has low affinity for cloned human 5‐HT2A receptors expressed in HEK 293 cells (pK1 5.8) and (pK1 <6) for a wide variety of other neurotransmitter receptors. 2 SB 206553 appears to be a surmountable antagonist of 5‐HT‐stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in HEK 293 cells expressing the human 5‐HT2C receptor (pKB 9.0). 3 The compound potently (ID50 5.5 mg kg−1, p.o., 0.27 mg kg−1, i.v.) inhibited the hypolocomotor response to m‐chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), a putative model of 5‐HT2C/5‐HT2B receptor function in vivo. 4 At similar doses (2–20 mg kg−1, p.o.) SB 206553 increased total interaction scores in a rat social interaction test and increased punished responding in a rat Geller‐Seifter conflict test. These effects are consistent with the possession of anxiolytic properties. 5 SB 206553 also increased suppressed responding in a marmoset conflict model of anxiety at somewhat higher doses (15 and 20 mg kg−1, p.o.) but also reduced unsuppressed responding. 6 These results suggest that SB 206553 is a potent mixed 5‐HT2C/5‐HT2B receptor antagonist with selectivity over the 5‐HT2A and all other sites studied and possesses anxiolytic‐like properties.
Language skills at age 6 years in Swedish children screened for language delay at 2½ years of age

This study concerns language outcome in 6‐y‐old children who participated in a longitudinal community‐based study of 105 children screened for language delay (LD) at 2½ y of age. The purpose was to investigate (1) whether results from the 2½‐y screening were persistent at 6 y of age, and (2) what language domains at age 6 were difficult for (a) children with LD at age 2½ y and (b) children with normal language (LN) at the same age. Significant differences between LD and LN at age 2½ y were persistent at age 6. The vulnerability that was identified at 2½ y of age, such as problems with going from single‐word utterances to multiword utterances, seems to persist as delayed development at different language levels and across language domains.
Crucial importance of using a sliding calliper to measure distance for carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity assessment

Background and objectives: In the past, different methods have been used to measure the carotid-femoral distance for the assessment of pulse wave velocity (PWV). However, the latest consensus published advises to use 80% of the direct straight carotid-femoral distance (D0.8) using either a flexible tape or a sliding calliper. We studied the influence of the use of a tape measure and a calliper on PWV values and provided equations to derive the straight D0.8 distance from previous methodologies. Methods: PWV was measured in patients referred for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Carotid-femoral, carotid-sternal notch, and sternal notch-femoral distances were measured with a tape and a sliding calliper. Results: Two hundred and fifty-nine patients (141 men and 118 women) were recruited consecutively. Their BMI ranged from 18 to 45 kg/m2 (28.4 ± 5.0, mean ± SD). As expected, distances measured with tape were longer (3.1 ± 1.3 cm for D0.8) leading to higher values of PWV (0.6 ± 0.3 m/s for PWV0.8). This difference was similar in men and women and depended for 20% on the BMI. Equations explaining more than 85% of variance can be used to convert tape carotid-femoral, carotid-sternal notch, and tape sternal notch-femoral distances to D0.8. Conclusion: It is crucial to use a sliding calliper to assess distances for PWV measurement. The overestimation with flexible tape depends on the BMI but not on the sex. Conversion equations between previous methods and the D0.8 method can be used.
An Application of Kernel Density Estimation via Diffusion to Group Yield Insurance

The recent priority given to Federal Crop Insurance as an agricultural policy instrument has increased the importance of rate making procedures. Actuarial soundness requires rates that are actuarially fair: the premium is set equal to expected loss. Formation of this expectation depends, in the case of group or area yield insurance, on precise estimation of the probability density of the crop yield in question. This paper applies kernel density estimation via diffusion to the estimation of crop yield probability densities and determines ensuing premium rates. The diffusion estimator improves on existing methods by providing a cogent answer to some of the issues that plague both parametric and nonparametric techniques. Application shows that premium rates can vary significantly depending on underlying distributional assumptions; from a practical point of view there is value to be had in proper specification.
Detection of nanoparticle endocytosis using magneto-photoacoustic imaging.

and targeted therapy, [ 3 ] for their ubiquitous tissue accessibility, large surface-area-to-volume ratios, and functional versatility. [ 1–4 ] In biological applications, delivering nanoparticles to the tissues of interest is a fi rst critical step. [ 5 ] The delivered nanoparticles can then interact readily with living cells. Cellular endocytosis of nanoparticles—an important manifestation of the cell–nanoparticle interaction—can infl uence the associated diagnostic sensitivity and therapeutic effi ciency. [ 4 ]
A reconfigurable MIMO antenna system for wireless communications

A reconfigurable antenna system is proposed to improve data throughput limitations in multiple input multiple output wireless communication systems in this investigation. The 4×4 MIMO antenna is designed to operate in the 2.4 and 2.6 GHz for Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and Long Term Evolution (LTE) applications. The system's radiation pattern re-configurability is realized by using the microcontroller-driven PIN diode switching concept. Simulations and measurements exhibited good agreements for the single, 2×2 MIMO and 4×4 MIMO configurations. The antenna is operational between 2.387 to 2.628 GHz, while the simulated and measured reflection coefficients are at least −24.3 dB. All configurations produced a narrow beam forward radiation, while the envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) and diversity gain for the two MIMO configurations are below 0.5 and at least 9 dBi, respectively.