Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The RNAi machinery regulates growth and development in the filamentous fungus Trichoderma atroviride

The RNAi machinery is generally involved in genome protection in filamentous fungi; however, the physiological role of RNAi has been poorly studied in fungal models. Here, we report that in the filamentous fungus Trichoderma atroviride, the products of the dcr2 and rdr3 genes control reproductive development, because mutations in these genes affect conidiation. In addition, Dcr1 together with Dcr2 control vegetative growth since Δdcr1, Δdcr2 and Δdcr1Δdcr2 present morphological alterations. Whole‐genome transcriptional analysis of WT, Δdcr1, Δdcr2 and Δdcr1Δdcr2 show that each Dicer controls different biological processes, such as development or metabolism, which could explain the lack of conidiation in the mutants. Finally, we observed sRNAs that are differentially expressed in the WT and Δdcr2. The expression of some of these sRNAs correlates with the expression of differential transcripts, suggesting that these mRNAs may contain the corresponding targets. Together these data show that in T. atroviride, the RNAi machinery plays a central role in endogenous processes such as development and fitness, beyond controlling genome protection against invasive nucleic acids as reported for other fungi.
On the signature of the cirrus twilight zone

Cirrus clouds are known to play a key role in the climate system, but their overall effect on Earth’s radiation budget is not yet fully quantified. The uncertainties are, in part, due to ambiguities in cirrus extent or coverage. Here we show that despite careful filtering of cloudy pixels, cirrus clouds have a clear statistical signature. This signature can be estimated by the proximity to detectable cirrus clouds. Such a residual signature can affect retrievals that rely on a cloud-free atmosphere, such as aerosol optical depth (AOD) or sea surface temperature. Analyzing MODIS raw-data and products, we show a clear increase in the reflectance when approaching detectable cirrus clouds. We estimated a mean increase in AOD of 0.03 ± 0.01 and a decrease in the Angstrom-exponent of −0.22 ± 0.20 in the first kilometer around detectable cirrus. The effect decays tenfold at a typical distance of 5.5 ± 1.8 km. Such trends confirm the contribution of large particles that are likely to be ice crystals to the so-called cloud-free atmosphere near detectable cirrus clouds.
Gamete development in malaria parasites: bicarbonate-dependent stimulation by pH in vitro

Summary Gametogenesis in Plasmodium gallinaceum involves bicarbonate-dependent processes and requires a continuous supply of glucose (presumably as an energy source). Emergence and exflagellation of gametocytes, in vitro, occur independently of the CO2 tension but are rigidly correlated with the pH of the external medium. In bicarbonate-saline gametogenesis is initiated only if the pH exceeds 7·7. Our results suggest that gamete development of malaria parasites is stimulated when infected blood is exposed to air because the decrease in the CO2 tension of the blood causes its pH to rise.
Barriers to Innovation among Spanish Manufacturing SMEs

Innovation is widely recognized as a key factor in the competitiveness of nations and firms. Small firms that do not embrace innovation within their core business strategy run the risk of becoming uncompetitive because of obsolete products and processes. Innovative firms are a perquisite for a dynamic and competitive economy. This paper reports on the results of a study that examined barriers to firm innovation among a sample of 294 managers of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Spain. The study examined the relation between (1) product, process, and management innovation and (2) 15 obstacles to innovation, which can limit a firm's ability to remain competitive and profitable. Findings of the study show that barriers have a differential impact on the various types of innovation; product, process, and management innovation are affected differently by the different barriers. The most significant barriers are associated with costs, whereas the least significant are associated with manager/employee resistance. Additionally, the results demonstrate that the costs associated with innovation have proportionately greater impact on small than on larger firms. The findings can be used in the development of public policy aimed at supporting and encouraging the innovation among SMEs in Spain. Government policies that encourage and support innovation among all firms, especially small firms, can help countries remain competitive in a global market. Public policy that encourages innovation can enable firms to remain competitive and survive, both of which have direct implications for employment and a country's economic viability. The results may also be insightful for managers who are attempting to encourage innovation. Understanding barriers can assist managers in fostering an innovative culture by supporting new ideas or by avoiding an attitude that creates resistance to new ideas.
The Chaotic Monopoly Profit Growth Model and a Pigouvian Tax

Deterministic chaos refers to irregular or chaotic motion that is generated by nonlinear systems. The chaotic behavior is not to quantum-mechanical-like uncertainty. Chaos theory is used to prove that erratic and chaotic fluctuations can indeed arise in completely deterministic models. Chaotic systems exhibit a sensitive dependence on initial conditions. Seemingly insignificant changes in the initial conditions produce large differences in outcomes. The basic aim of this paper is to construct a relatively simple chaotic growth model of the monopoly price that is capable of generating stable equilibria, cycles, or chaos. A key hypothesis of this work is based on the idea that the coefficient μ = f (n - b - d ) plays a crucial role in explaining local stability of the monopoly profit, where, b - the coefficient of the total cost function of the monopoly firm, n - the coefficient of the inverse demand function, d - the Pigovian tax rate. μ
Decreasing late mortality among five-year survivors of cancer in childhood and adolescence: a population-based study in the Nordic countries.

PURPOSE To assess the risk of death in patients who survive more than 5 years after diagnosis of childhood cancer and to evaluate causes of death in fatal cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a population-based study in the five Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) using data of the nationwide cancer registries and the cause-of-death registries. The study cohort included 13,711 patients who were diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20 years between 1960 and 1989 and who survived at least 5 years from diagnosis. By December 31, 1995, 1,422 patients had died, and death certificates were assessed in 1,402. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for validated causes of death were calculated based on 156,046 patient-years at risk. RESULTS The overall SMR was 10.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.3 to 11.5), mainly due to high excess mortality from the primary cancer. SMR for second cancer was 4.9 (95% CI, 3.9 to 5.9) and was 3.1 (95% CI, 2.8 to 3.5) for noncancer death. The pattern of causes of death varied markedly between different groups of primary cancer diagnoses and was highly dependent on time passed since diagnosis. Overall late mortality was significantly lower in patients treated during the most recent period of time, 1980 to 1989, compared with those treated from 1960 to 1979 (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.70), and there was no increase in rates of death due to cancer treatment. CONCLUSION Long-term survivors of childhood cancer had an increased mortality rate, mainly dying from primary cancers. However, modern treatments have reduced late cancer mortality without increasing the rate of therapy-related deaths.
Gendered Governing? Women’s Leadership Styles and Participatory Institutions in Brazil

Previous research argues that the leadership styles of men and women differ significantly, with women’s styles being more inclusive and participatory. I test this argument by examining whether women elected officials are more likely to increase citizen participation using data on the adoption of two different types of participatory institutions in Brazilian municipalities: participatory budgeting and participatory policy councils. Results suggest that women leaders are not inherently more participatory than men. Rather, the decision to initiate participation in a certain policy area appears to be a strategic choice. Mayors of both genders are likely to initiate participation in policy areas that appeal to constituents of the opposite gender and counter stereotypes: men are more likely to adopt participatory councils for women’s rights, children’s rights, and health care, while women are more likely to adopt a council for sports. These findings suggest that women’s styles of leadership are not inherently more inclusive than men’s. It appears that strategy, rather than style, likely determines whether a leader will be more inclusive.
Unemployment durations of job losers in a labour market in transition

Slovakia is one of the Central European countries in transformation from a centralised command system to a decentralised market economy. Along with the transition of the economy came unemployment. Other than before workers who lost their job did not find a new job immediately. This paper studies the labour market position of Slovak job losers. Using data from labour force surveys we analyse exit rates out of unemployment. We find that male, young, higher educated job losers in districts with low unemployment rates have substantially shorter unemployment durations than their counterparts. There is evidence that for some job losers it is very hard to find a new job.
In-cell SHAPE uncovers dynamic interactions between the untranslated regions of the foot-and-mouth disease virus RNA

Abstract The genome of RNA viruses folds into 3D structures that include long-range RNA–RNA interactions relevant to control critical steps of the viral cycle. In particular, initiation of translation driven by the IRES element of foot-and-mouth disease virus is stimulated by the 3΄UTR. Here we sought to investigate the RNA local flexibility of the IRES element and the 3΄UTR in living cells. The SHAPE reactivity observed in vivo showed statistically significant differences compared to the free RNA, revealing protected or exposed positions within the IRES and the 3΄UTR. Importantly, the IRES local flexibility was modified in the presence of the 3΄UTR, showing significant protections at residues upstream from the functional start codon. Conversely, presence of the IRES element in cis altered the 3΄UTR local flexibility leading to an overall enhanced reactivity. Unlike the reactivity changes observed in the IRES element, the SHAPE differences of the 3΄UTR were large but not statistically significant, suggesting multiple dynamic RNA interactions. These results were supported by covariation analysis, which predicted IRES-3΄UTR conserved helices in agreement with the protections observed by SHAPE probing. Mutational analysis suggested that disruption of one of these interactions could be compensated by alternative base pairings, providing direct evidences for dynamic long-range interactions between these distant elements of the viral genome.
A abordagem das políticas educativas para a empregabilidade

Employment area attracts huge attention as well as strong worries on behalf of the community, and the search for unemployment combat strategies became, within the current conjuncture, the main design of any project or social and political speeches. This way, and after a first generation of passive employment policies, essentially conceived to minimize the negative effects of unemployment, and a second generation of more active policies that promote economy, we stand for a third generation of employment policies, focused in an educational intervention which promotes people’s employability in complete consonance with the needs of economy. We are now watching the birth of a new generation of educational policies to promote employability, which are focused on the single individual, acting upon his or her qualification skills. This research work aims to find connections between educational policies and employability, as well as analyze the impact education has in employment, taking into account the evolution of the economic way of thinking which aims to increase investment in the educational area, and it ends with the endogenous development theories of modern economists like Philippe Aghion. This author searches for the connections between education and employability by analyzing its consequences within the Curriculum Development and Pedagogical Supervision, through a systemic analysis of employment, by repositioning the public policies for employability and introducing strategic foresight. This study proposes a model of educational intervention within an acting perimeter wider than that of employment policies, for it is focused on students, young people without education, training or employment, the NEETS (Not currently engaged in Employment, Education or Training) – whose problematic issues are the main challenge for Europe 2020 – the workers, and inactive or unemployed people. In short, all of those that, one way of the other, need to increase their employability.
Lorenz Domination, Utilitarian Deprivation Rule and Equal Sacrifice Principle

Of two income distributions x and y, over a given population size, the authors say that the former dominates the latter by the utilitarian deprivation rule if, for any person, the aggregate utility shortfall from richer persons under x is at least as large as that under y. In this paper, they show that if the relative risk aversion associated with the utility function does not exceed unity, then any Lorenz-consistent income tax function will make the posttax distribution no more deprived than the pretax distribution according to the utilitarian deprivation rule. The converse of this proposition holds if the risk-aversion measure is not less than one. It then follows that if the utility function is of logarithmic type then consistency between the two criteria holds. Finally, the authors relate their results to the equal sacrifice principle. Copyright 1998 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd and The Victoria University of Manchester
Job Stability in the United States

Two key attributes of a job are its wage and its duration. Much has been made of changes in the wage distribution in the 1980s, but little attention has been given to job durations since Hall. We fill this void by examining the temporal evolution of job retention rates in U.S. labor markets, using data assembled from the sequence of Current Population Survey job tenure supplements. There have been relative declines in job stability for some of the groups that experienced the sharpest declines in relative wages. However, we find that aggregate job retention rates have remained stable.
Changes in Discretionary Financial Reporting Behavior following the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

We examine the effect of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) on the extent of aggressive versus conservative reporting behavior of public companies. SOX imposes considerably greater potential penalties on chief executive officers (CEOs) and chief financial officers (CFOs) who engage in financial wrongdoing. Therefore, risk-averse managers are likely to report lower earnings by reducing discretionary accruals following SOX. Our results, based on a matched sample of dual-listed Canadian firms and their domestically listed counterparts, indicate that (1) firms subject to SOX are more conservative in financial reporting in the post-SOX period as evidenced by lower signed discretionary accruals, the Ball and Shivakumar (2005) conditional conservatism measure, and the Penman and Zhang (2002) unconditional conservatism measure; and (2) the impact of SOX on firms' conservative reporting through discretionary accruals in the post-SOX period is not homogeneous—that is, it is more pronounced for firms that were aggressive in the pre-SOX period.
Rhetoric and Reality: The management of Botswana's 1982‐88 drought relief programme

Botswana has experienced rapid economic growth over the past two decades, which has attracted much praise. While many of its citizens remained reliant on food aid programmes during the recent drought of 1982–88, both the coverage and management of the relief programme were seen as outstanding by development economists and aid planners alike. This paper argues that such optimism is based more on broad aggregate levels of aid disbursement rather than data obtained from actual field studies. Using micro-level data on food aid flows, the paper argues that such praise for the aid programme is not justified, as there existed serious deficiencies in food provision to many of the most vulnerable groups.
Commodity Chains and Global Capitalism

Introduction: Global Commodity Chains by Gary Gereffi, Roberto P. Korzeniewicz, and Miguel Korzeniewicz Historical and Spatial Patterns of Commodity Chains in the World-System: Commodity Chains in the Capitalist World-Economy Prior to 1800 Commodity Chains: Construction and Research by Terence K. Hopkins and Immanuel Wallerstein The Shipbuilding Commodity Chain, 1590-1790 by Eyup Ozveren The Grain Flour Commodity Chain, 1590-1790 by Sheila Pelizzon Conclusions About Commodity Chains by Terence K. Hopkins and Immanuel Wallerstein Competition, Time and Space in Industrial History by Erica Schoenberger The Global Distribution of Commodity Chains by Roberto P. Korzeniewicz and William Martin The Organization of Commodity Chains: The Organization of Buyer-Driven Global Commodity Chains: How U.S. Retailers Shape Overseas Production Networks by Gary Gereffi Where Is the Chain in Commodity Chains? The Service Sector Nexus by Eileen Rabach and Eun Mee Kim Institutionalizing Flexibility: A Comparative Analysis of Fordist and Post-Fordist Models of Third World Agro-Export Production by Laura T. Reynolds The Geography of Commodity Chains: The New Spatial Division of Labor and Commodity Chains in the Greater South China Economic Region by Xiangming Chen Commodity Chains and Industrial Restructuring in the Pacific Rim: Garment Trade and Manufacturing by Richard Appelbaum, David Smith, and Brad Christerson Strategic Reorientations of U.S. Apparel Firms by Ian M. Taplin Automobile Commodity Chains in the NICS: A Comparison of South Korea, Mexico and Brazil by Naeyoung Lee and Jeffrey Cason Consumption and Commodity Chains: Commodity Chains and Marketing Strategies: Nike and the Global Athletic Footwear Industry by Miguel Korzeniewicz Fresh Demand: The Consumption of Chilean Produce in the United States by Walter L. Goldfrank Commodity Chains and the Korean Automobile Industry by Hyung Kook Kim and Su-Hoon Lee Cocaine, Commodity Chains, and Drug Politics: A Transnational Approach by Suzanne Wilson and Marta Zambrano Bibliography Index
Investigating The Co-Integration Among Electricity Production Function in Malaysia: Bound Testing Approach

The aim of the current paper is to investigate the long-run relationship among the factors of electricity production function in Malaysia. Time series data for production (Q), Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF), labour (L), and energy (E) for the 1980-2012 period is used. To explore this relationship, production theory and time series model, ARDL, are applied. The results show that the individual variables are stationary in the first difference at the 5 percent significance level. The diagnostics test reveals that there is no serial correlation among the variables (between production and its production factors). Therefore, the result also shows co-integration among the electricity determinants, using the bound test approach, at 5 percent significance level. This result indicates the long-run relationship among production, capital, labour and energy in the electricity industry.
The Moderating Effect of Industry Concentration on the Relations Between External Attributes and the Properties of Analyst Earnings Forecast

Based on the work of earlier studies, the main objective of this study is to determine whether the properties of analyst earnings forecast are related to the interaction effects of external attributes and industry concentration that were not the focus of previous research. Specifically, this study examines the relations between external attributions and the properties of analyst earnings forecasts. Furthermore, we explore the moderating effect of industry concentration on the relations between external attributions and the properties of analyst earnings forecasts. Using data from Compustat and I/B/E/S, we provide evidence that analysts' earnings forecast accuracy is lower and the forecast dispersion is larger for firms with more earnings surprise. Firms with more analysts' forecasts covering are associated with higher forecast accuracy, but not necessarily higher forecast dispersion. The moderating effects of industry concentration on the relationships between earnings surprise, the number of estimates covering the company and forecast accuracy are particularly strong. In addition, the moderating effects of industry concentration on the relationship between earnings surprise, the number of estimates covering the company and the forecast dispersion are partially supported. Overall, the industrial concentration factor either magnifies or alleviates the effect of external attributions on analyst's forecast accuracy and forecast dispersion.
Housing Differentiation and Renewal in Middle-ring Suburbs: The Experience of Sydney, Australia

Many suburban areas in Australian cities built between the 1930s and 1960s are facing major challenges from socio-demographic change, ageing housing, long-term disinvestment and entrenched pockets of social disadvantage. Yet despite emerging relative disadvantages, these middle ring or ‘third city’ suburbs are experiencing locally generated piecemeal market-led reinvestment and renewal. This paper explores housing, household and housing investment characteristics and trends in the older parts of Sydney’s western suburbs drawing on analyses of socio-demographic and development application data. Policy options to achieve more appropriate urban renewal outcomes under broad social sustainability criteria are canvassed. Similarities and differences to the American ‘first suburb’ phenomenon are noted.