Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Panel Data Specifications in Nonparametric Kernel Regression: An Application to Production Functions

We discuss nonparametric regression models for panel data. A fully nonparametric panel data specification that uses the time variable and the individual identifier as additional (categorical) explanatory variables is considered to be the most suitable. We use this estimator and conventional parametric panel data estimators to analyse the production technology of Polish crop farms. The results of our nonparametric kernel regressions generally differ from the estimates of the parametric models but they only slightly depend on the choice of the kernel functions. Based on economic reasoning, we found the estimates of the fully nonparametric panel data model to be more reliable.
Transcription Factor Binding Site is a Repressor Element in ek 2 Promoter of Human Liver Carcinoma Cell Line , HepG 2 ( Tapak

Ethanolamine kinase (EK) is the first enzyme in the Kennedy pathway for the biosynthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine. Although EK has been reported to be involved in phospholipid biosynthesis, carcinogenesis, cell growth, muscle development and sex determination during embryonic development, little is known about its transcriptional regulation by endogenous or exogenous signals. Human EK exists as EK1, EK2α and EK2β isoforms, encoded by two separate genes, named ek1 and ek2. Compared to ek1 gene, ek2 is expressed at a higher level in liver and EK2 isoforms also accept choline as substrate besides ethanolamine, which could contribute to liver carcinogenesis. The main aim of this study was to analyze and characterize the human ek2 promoter in cultured mammalian cells. Human ek2 (2011 bp) promoter was cloned into reporter vector, pGL4.10 [luc2] and the promoter activities were studied in human liver carcinoma (HepG2 cells). Sequence analyses showed that ek2 promoter contains numerous putative transcription factor binding sites including AP4 and it is devoid of a recognizable consensus TATA box but it contains a high number of guanine (G) and cytosine (C) nucleotides. PCR mutagenesis of three nucleotides at E-box motif of AP4 transcription binding site located between -293 and -276 of ek2 promoter was successfully performed to show that AP4 transcription factor binding site acts as a repressive element in the regulation of ek2 expression. AP4 upregulation has been implicated in bad prognosis of carcinoma, therefore the regulatory role of AP4 binding site reported in this study could be a link between ek2 and carcinogenesis. Although further studies need to be carried out to understand and to determine the repression mechanism of AP4 in ek2 promoter, the characterization and analysis of ek promoter performed in this study provide important understanding of its basal transcriptional regulation which would allow us to control ek expression levels in pathologic conditions that involve this gene.
Determinants forPurchase of Virtual/Digital Goods using Social Apps

Social networking sites have become an important market space in Internet. Social apps existing in social networking sites thrive in the environment provided by them. Companies are focusing more on social networking sites to promote their products and identify new sources of revenue generation. One such nascent way is by sale of virtual/digital goods through social apps using social networking sites. To the best of our knowledge, research in this area has been growing, with limited studies exploring the business potential involved with purchase of virtual/digital goods. The aim of this paper is to identify the determinants of purchase decision of virtual/digital goods in social apps. We use TAM, social app usage, attributes of virtual/digital goods and other factors to explain the purchase intention of virtual/digital goods in social apps. Survey based methodology has been adopted to show the viability of our research. The current study focuses on purchase intention of virtual/digital goods, which can be a key determinant of success of social apps existing in social networking sites. The success of social apps and the impact of interactions through social networking sites make an interesting case to study the factors behind these phenomena. Our objective of this study is to enlist and analyze the impact of the factors which can affect our outcomes of interest such as purchase intention of virtual/digital goods existing in social apps in social networking sites. To accomplish this, we use Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) (7) as the base model and include the other affecting external variables. We study the relationships of these factors and their effect on each other. We conceptualize our research model and also measure the significant relationships among the factors. We then developed a survey questionnaire and collected data comprising of unbiased sample of users of social apps in social networking sites. The proposed model has been analysed using linear regression.
Analysis of Factors Influencing Adoption of Quncho Tef: The Case of Wayu Tuqa District

The purpose of this paper is to analyze factors influencing adoption of Quncho tef in the case of Wayu Tuqa District. The primary sources of data were obtained from sample farmers and the secondary data from different sources were used. Both Probability and non probability sampling technique were employed to conduct the study, stratified random sampling procedure was employed for the selection of sample Peasant Association and random sampling was used to select 355 sample households from which 125 were adopters. For data analysis, descriptive statistics and econometric model, which is logit model, were used to state the influence of variables. Descriptive statistics revealed that aged farmers were less adopter than younger. Farmers with better education level show willingness to take new ideas than less educated and farmers having higher livestock were better adopter than the lower livestock holders and also farmers nearest to market and high frequency of extension service were better adopter than the farmers who were not. Econometric result shows that distance from household residence to market center and age of the household were found to influence adoption negatively, family labor in-terms of man equivalent and participation of farmers in agricultural trainings were found to affect adoption positively, while farmers owning the oxen were found to influence negatively. Also education level of the respondents, livestock holding in-terms of tropical livestock unit, farmer’s ability of meeting the family food consumption, frequency of extension contact was found to affect adoption of Quncho tef positively. Keywords: Adoption, Quncho tef, Wayu Tuqa District
‘Just deal with it’: neoliberalism in dyslexic students’ talk about dyslexia and learning at university

There are different ways of theorising dyslexia and different ways of constructing meanings around dyslexia in different learning contexts. This paper considers the role of neoliberalist ideology in shaping conversations about dyslexia and ‘fairness’ during two focus group conversations analysed as part of a study into the discursive construction of dyslexia in higher education. Ideological analysis was undertaken with reference to Gee's discourse analysis and Willig's concept of the use of discursive resources in interaction. Investigation identified neoliberalist ideology as a powerful voice within the analysed texts, and as directive for identity and action. This paper argues that recognition of the ways in which neoliberalist ideology shapes everyday conversation about learning and learning differences is vital in the construction and maintenance of fairer higher education in the UK.
A Hybrid Evolutionary Approach to Design Off-Grid Electrification Projects with Distributed Generation

A hybrid evolutionary approach is proposed to design off-grid electrification projects that require distributed generation (DG). The design of this type of systems can be considered as an NP-Hard combinatorial optimization problem; therefore, due to its complexity, the approach tackles the problem from two fronts: optimal network configuration and optimal placement of DG. The hybrid scheme is based on a particle swarm optimization technique (PSO) and a genetic algorithm (GA) improved with a heuristic mutation operator. The GA-PSO scheme permits finding the optimal network topology, the optimal number, and capacity of the generation units, as well as their best location. Furthermore, the algorithm must design the system under power quality requirements, network radiality, and geographical constraints. The approach uses GPS coordinates as input data and develops a network topology from scratch, driven by overall costs and power losses minimization. Finally, the proposed algorithm is described in detail and real applications are discussed, from which satisfactory results were obtained.
Development of a new single-phase field excitation flux switching motor topology with segmental rotor

Diverse topology of three-phase and single-phase Field Excitation Flux Switching Machines (FEFSMs) that have been developed recently have several advantages such as variable flux capability and the single piece structure of rotor suitable for high-speed applications. However, a salient rotor structure has led to a longer flux path resulting in high flux leakage and higher rotor weight. Meanwhile, overlap windings between armature and Field Excitation Coil (FEC) have caused the problems of high end coil increased size of motor and high copper losses. Therefore, a new topology of singlephase non-overlap windings 12S-6P FEFSM segmented rotor with the advantages of less weight and non-overlap between armature coil and FEC windings is presented. The design, flux linkage, back-EMF, cogging torque, average torque, speed, and power of this new topology are investigated by JMAG-Designer via a 2D-FEA. As a results the proposed motor has achieved torque and power of 0.91Nm and 293W, respectively. To prove the simulation result based on 2D-FEA, experimental test is performed and the armature back-EMF was observed with FE current of 4A is supplied. Finally, at the speed of 500 rpm and 3000 rpm, the back-EMF is 2.75 V and 16.13 V, respectively. The simulation results showed reasonable agreement with the experimental results, approximately difference range from 4.9% to 7.4%.
Using the Notion of ‘Information Flow’ to Investigate Why a Signal May Stand Differently for Individuals

Studies over past century show that the organisations profoundly rely on signs (signals in general) and norms to operate. Information systems may be seen as systems of signs. Signs are indispensible part of norms, which people follow in order to act in an organisation. A signal or sign may convey different messages to different agents. If we eliminate merely subjective interpretations, which could be wrong from the receiver’s perspective, it must be the case that for such a phenomenon to happen the signal does carry different information for different individuals in the sense of actually informing them. We explore how this is possible in this paper. We observe that information theory and semiotics are strongly related. Therefore, rationally linking organisational semiotics and information theory in some way would be beneficial and highly desirable. Our approach is based upon semantic information and information flow theories put forward by Dretske, Barwise and Seligman along with basic notions of Stamper’s organisational semiotics, i.e. sign and norms and Devlin’s constraints. We exploit an S-B-R (information source (S) - information bearer (B) - information receiver(R)) framework, which incorporate the above mentioned theories to examine information creation, flow and receiving. We put forward the phenomena of information nesting, norms with which a signal or sign is involved and co-existing multiple S-B-R structures to elucidate this fact.
THE ADVANCED STATISTICAL METHODS IN AEROBIOLOGICAL STUDIES

Pollen and spore forecasting has become an important aim in aerobiology. The main goal is to provide accurate information on biological particles in the air to sensitive users in order to help them optimize their treatment process. Many statistical methods of data analysis are based on the assumptions of linearity and normality that often cannot be fulfilled. The advanced statistical methods can be applied to the problems that cannot be solved in any other effective way, and are suited to predicting the concentration of airborne pollen or spores in relation to weather conditions. The purpose of the study was to review some advanced statistical methods that can be used in aerobiological studies.
Matching and fusing signal-estimation errors for similarity-based pattern classification

Error estimation using different optimal models for signal processing has been an active research field in data analysis such as speech recognition, image analysis, geophysics, and earth science. A popular direction of research in pattern classification is to develop computational models for comparing objects being either abstract or physical based on some measure of similarity or dissimilarity. This paper explores some linear-prediction models for deriving signal estimation errors and their fusion for similarity-based pattern classification.
Extensive Bone Marrow Involvement in Hodgkin Lymphoma Patient / Ekstenzivno Zahvatanje Koštane Srži Kod Bolesnika Sa Hočkinovim Limfomom

Summary Bone marrow involvement is rare in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Its incidence varies with respect to risk factors from 4% to 14%. Low risk patients do not need trephine biopsy according to some research. In the era of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) staging prior to therapy, the role of trephine biopsy as a part of staging procedures becomes debatable. Many institutions worldwide created their own guidelines in the application of trephine biopsy in staging of the (HL) patients. Our institution prefers performing trephine biopsy in all risk group patients, except those who underwent PET/CT staging before therapy and if no active bone sites were found. Most of our patients are staged using multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and we perform PET/CT in the follow up after completing the induction protocol. That is why we propose the trephine biopsy to the most of our patients. A Greek group of authors have derived a clinical prediction rule for the possibility of the bone marrow involvement, which is named the Z score (Zs), and if it is ≥10, patients are at high risk for bone marrow involvement. We present a case of a neglected, advanced (HL) patient, with the defined high risk for bone marrow involvement (Zs=25). He was clinically suspected to have affected bone marrow, which was later histologically confirmed. Unilateral trephine biopsy was performed. Sažetak Infiltracija koštane srži kod bolesnika sa Hočkinovim limfomom (HL) je retka. Incidencija varira u zavisnosti od faktora rizika od 4% do 14%. Niskorizični bolesnici nemaju potrebe za biopsijom koštane srži, što pokazuju neka istraživanja. U eri PET/CT stadiranja pre primene terapije, potreba za biopsijom koštane srži, kao deo stadiranja HL, postaje diskutabilna. Mnoge ustanove u svetu imaju svoje sopstvene vodiče za biopsiju koštane srži u toku stadiranja HL. Naša ustanova ima mogućnosti da sprovodi biopsiju koštane srži bolesnicima svih rizičnih grupa, sem onih koji imaju urađen PET/CT pre početka uvodne terapije i ukoliko nisu detektovani aktivni koštani fokusi. Kod većine naših bolesnika stadijum bolesti se određuje primenom MSCT-a, dok PET/CT sprovodimo u praćenju terapijskog odgovora nakon završetka indukcionog protokola. Grčka grupa autora razvila je kliničku predikcijsku šemu za mogućnost infiltracije koštane srži, koju su nazvali Z skor (Zs), čija vrednost ≥10 ukazuje da bolesnici imaju visok rizik za infiltraciju koštane srži. Prezentujemo slučaj bolesnika sa zapuštenim, uznapredovalim HL, sa definisanim visokim rizikom za infiltraciju koštane srži, Zs je bio 25. Kod bolesnika je postojala klinička sumnja na infiltraciju koštane srži koja je kasnije i patohistološki potvrđena. Primenjena je unilateralna biopsija.
Personality change following religious conversion: perceptions of converts and their close acquaintances

This study focuses on how converts and their close acquaintances perceive changes in personality characteristics after religious conversion and possible demographic influences of these perceptions. Sixty Slovakian respondents self-defined as having experienced conversions rated themselves twice on measures of Big Five personality traits, self-esteem, and meaningfulness in life. The first rating provided retrospective information concerning pre-conversion conditions and the second rating obtained data reflecting the convert's present self-understanding. In addition, every convert was rated on the same characteristics by someone who knew the person well during both pre- and post-conversion times. The convert and the rater both provided demographic information (age, education, religiosity, relationship to conversions and converts etc.). Analyses showed that the converts perceived several personality changes: neuroticism decreased while self-esteem, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and extraversion increased. They also reported a large increase in meaningfulness. Perceived changes were in part related to education level and age for converts, and to religiosity in both converts and close persons, suggesting a retrospective bias.
The double challenge of adapting to climate change while accelerating development in sub-Saharan Africa

ABSTRACT Accelerating economic growth and social development is necessary to reduce the vulnerability and enhance the adaptive capacity of sub-Saharan Africa to cope with the consequences of predicted unfavorable future climate. This requires major investments and policy reforms to induce a needed radical transformation of the way development is currently pursued to a more climate-sensitive path of low carbon growth. Key gaps in the current knowledge base that call for major investments and urgent attention include the ability to forecast more robust local future climate and to account for the uncertainties associated with climate risks for ecosystems' functions and probable nonconvexities in future impacts to project more plausible scenarios for future development in sub-Saharan Africa and provide better information on the costs and benefits of potential actions to avert the negative consequences of climate change.
CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED ENDEMIC SEABIRDS WITHIN A MULTI‐PREDATOR CONTEXT: THE BARAU'S PETREL IN RÉUNION ISLAND

Abstract Seabirds breeding on islands are vulnerable to introduced predators, such as rats and cats, and the removal of such predators is generally viewed as a priority for seabird conservation and restoration. However, multiple invasive mammal species interacting may generate unexpected outcomes following the removal (eradication) of one species. Generally these indirect interactions are not well understood or demonstrated. We propose and study a prey (seabird)‐mesopredator (rat)‐superpredator (cat) model, taking into account the juvenile stages in the prey population, in order to direct conservation management for seabird conservation. We give a more biologically realistic differential system than those studied before (Courchamp et al. [1999] ; Fan et al. [2005] ), in particular for long‐lived seabird species. We present a theoretical study and show existence and uniqueness of a positive solution as well as a qualitative study of the equilibria that may appear. Because standard numerical methods, usually implemented in scientific softwares, can fail to give the right biological approximations ( Anguelov et al. [2009] ), we propose a reliable algorithm that preserves most of the qualitative properties of the continuous system, using the theory of nonstandard finite difference methods. Finally, we use biologically realistic parameters available for the representative Barau's petrel (Pinet et al. [2008] ), an endemic species from Réunion island, to present numerical simulations that support the theoretical study. Cats play the major role in seabird prey population dynamics. Seasonality in seabird breeding delays but does not prevent extinction. In all scenarios, cat control (or preferably eradication) is imperative to prevent extinction of vulnerable long‐lived seabirds, like the Barau's petrel.
Statistical Mechanics: J Theory and Experiment Finite-temperature mutual information in a simple phase transition

We study the ﬁnite-temperature behavior of the Lipkin–Meshkov– Glick model with a focus on correlation properties as measured by the mutual information. The latter, which quantiﬁes the amount of both classical and quantum correlations, is computed exactly in the two limiting cases of vanishing magnetic ﬁeld and vanishing temperature. For all other situations, numerical results provide evidence of a ﬁnite mutual information at all temperatures except at criticality. There, it diverges as the logarithm of the system size, with a prefactor that can take only two values, depending on whether the critical temperature vanishes or not. Our work provides a simple example in which the mutual information appears as a powerful tool to detect ﬁnite-temperature phase transitions, contrary to entanglement measures such as the concurrence.
Expression and the Functional Study of Fusion Proteins α-Amylase and Hemolysin- αas an Application in Biofilm Polysaccharide Degradation

Biofilm is an aggregate of consortium bacteria that adhere to each other on a surface. It is usually p rotected by the exopolysaccharide layer. Various invasive m dical procedures, such as catheterization, endotr acheal tube installation, and contact lens utilization, are vulnerable to bio film infection. The National Institute of Health (N IH) estimates 65% of all microbial infections are caused by biofilm. Per iplasmic α-amylase (MalS) is an enzyme that hydrolyzes α-1, 4glicosidic bond in glycogen, starch, and others rel ated polysaccharides in periplasmic space. Another protein called hemolysin-α (HlyA) is a secretion signal protein on C terminal of particular peptide in gram negative bacteria. W e proposed a novel recombinant plasmid expressing α-amylase and hemolysinα fusion in pSB1C3 which is cloned into E.coli to enable α-amylase excretion to extracellular for degrading b iofilm polysaccharides content, as in starch agar. Microtiter assay was performed to analyze the reduc tion percentage of biofilm by adding recombinant E.coli into media. This system is more effective in degrading b iofilm from gram positive bacteria i.e.: Bacillus substilis (30.21%) and Staphylococcus aureus (24.20%), and less effective degrading biofilm of g ram negative i.e.: Vibrio cholera (5.30%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.50%), Klebsiella pneumonia (6.75%) and E. coli (-0.6%). Gram positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan, causing the en zyme to work more effectively in degrading polysacc harides.
CYP450 and Its Implications in the Clinical Use of Antipsychotic Drugs

Polypharmacy implies a high potential for drug-drug interactions. The capacity of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system involved in the metabolism of psychoactive drugs differs greatly, which leads to variable drug elimination rates and inter-subject differences in serum drug concentrations. Polymorphisms in genes coding for CYP450 enzymes contribute to this inter-subject variability. Therapeutic response and adverse effects vary among patients treated with the same dose of a certain drug. Polypharmacy, comorbidity and the use of certain substances (grapefruit juice, caffeine and tobacco) increase the chances of clinically relevant interactions in a psychotic patient. Choosing drugs with low interaction potential seems to be the best strategy to prevent clinically relevant interactions particularly in elderly, polymedicated, oncologic and HIV patients.