Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COMMERCIAL-POLICY AND THE CURRENT ACCOUNT - A MUSSA-NEARY APPROACH

The paper examines the effect of commercial policies on the current account for the case of a small open economy, in which capital is sector-specific in the short run but mobile in the long run. In the context of a two period model, trade liberalisation increases income by more in the long run than in the short run; consumption smoothing thus implies that the economy runs an external deficit in the short run. The analysis considers both tariff and quota liberalisation, and looks at the implications of wage rigidity.
Genome‐scale prediction of proteins with long intrinsically disordered regions

Proteins with long disordered regions (LDRs), defined as having 30 or more consecutive disordered residues, are abundant in eukaryotes, and these regions are recognized as a distinct class of biologically functional domains. LDRs facilitate various cellular functions and are important for target selection in structural genomics. Motivated by the lack of methods that directly predict proteins with LDRs, we designed Super‐fast predictor of proteins with Long Intrinsically DisordERed regions (SLIDER). SLIDER utilizes logistic regression that takes an empirically chosen set of numerical features, which consider selected physicochemical properties of amino acids, sequence complexity, and amino acid composition, as its inputs. Empirical tests show that SLIDER offers competitive predictive performance combined with low computational cost. It outperforms, by at least a modest margin, a comprehensive set of modern disorder predictors (that can indirectly predict LDRs) and is 16 times faster compared to the best currently available disorder predictor. Utilizing our time‐efficient predictor, we characterized abundance and functional roles of proteins with LDRs over 110 eukaryotic proteomes. Similar to related studies, we found that eukaryotes have many (on average 30.3%) proteins with LDRs with majority of proteomes having between 25 and 40%, where higher abundance is characteristic to proteomes that have larger proteins. Our first‐of‐its‐kind large‐scale functional analysis shows that these proteins are enriched in a number of cellular functions and processes including certain binding events, regulation of catalytic activities, cellular component organization, biogenesis, biological regulation, and some metabolic and developmental processes. A webserver that implements SLIDER is available at http://biomine.ece. ualberta.ca/SLIDER/. Proteins 2014; 82:145–158. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Changing entrepreneurial intention and behaviour: a digital game-based learning environment dedicated to entrepreneurship education

This paper investigates the research field of digital game-based learning (DGBL), attempting to shed light on the effect of a serious game (SG) for entrepreneurship education (EE). Based on 73 items an exploratory survey was conducted using the design and methodology proposed by prior studies. This research provides significant evidence that the use of a SG in a DGBL environment influences the entrepreneurial behaviour and intentions significantly comparing players and non-players while the entrepreneurial attitudes towards entrepreneurship and towards EE are not significantly different between playing and not-playing survey participants. Data were statistically analysed using multivariate regression analysis, Cronbach's alpha, exploratory factor analysis, and Mann-Whitney tests. Accordingly, this research indicates that SGs can be an effective tool to be used in teaching individuals entrepreneurship combining a traditional-cum-digital approach. Although the use of games for educational purposes is still early stage, this work supports both researchers as well as lecturers from a pedagogical perspective to enhance their effectiveness.
Classification and analysis of guild merchants using smokeless tobacco in Chabahar, Iran, based on the transtheoretical model

Introduction: The use of all types of smokeless tobacco poses a serious risk to the health of community members. The present study was conducted to classify the guild merchants using smokeless tobacco in Chabahar, Iran, based on the Trans-Theoretical Model (TTM) and then analyze the relationships between the examined variables based on the constructs of this model. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 320 merchants working in different guilds in Chabahar in 2018, who were selected through simple random sampling. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire with a demographic and background information section, behavioral items and items on the constructs of the transtheoretical model, and was used after its validity and reliability were confirmed. Data were analyzed in SPSS software using statistical tests such as mean and SD, the Chi-square test, the ANOVA and Tukey’s test. Findings: Most of the participants in the study were in the age group of 20-30 years (69%). Hairdressers and textile stores (19%) were the largest and hotel and restaurant businesses (2%) the smallest trade guilds in this study. Most people in the study consumed Gutkha (24%). A total of 85% of the subjects were in the precontemplation stage, 12.5% in the contemplation stage and 2.5% in the preparation stage, and the stages of change had a significant difference with constructs including counter-conditioning, self-liberation, decisional balance and temptation to use tobacco (P<0.05). Conclusion: Since most merchants were in the precontemplation stage, and given their age and the proven harms of smokeless tobacco, interventions to encourage these people to quit tobacco consumption using the TTM constructs are necessary. Update Dent. Coll. j: 2019; 9 (1): 16-22
Malignant cervical lymphadenopathy: diagnostic accuracy of diffusion-weighted MR imaging.

PURPOSE To prospectively determine the diagnostic accuracy of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for discrimination of malignant neck nodes due to lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), with histologic findings and imaging criteria as reference standards. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ethics committee approval and informed consent were obtained. Patients with malignant lymphadenopathy underwent 1.5-T diffusion-weighted MR imaging. A region of interest was drawn around the malignant node on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps; ADC values were compared (Kruskal-Wallis test). Receiver operating characteristic analysis was employed to investigate whether ADC values could aid in discrimination among malignancies. RESULTS Forty-three patients (34 men, nine women; mean age, 54 years) with 43 nodes underwent imaging. Mean ADC values for lymphoma (n = 8), NPC (n = 17), and SCC (n = 18) were (0.664 +/- 0.071 [standard deviation]) x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec, (0.802 +/- 0.128) x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec, and (1.057 +/- 0.169) x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec, respectively, with significant differences between SCC and lymphoma or NPC (P < .001) and between NPC and lymphoma (P = .04). To optimize sensitivity and specificity with equal weighting, ADC threshold values for distinguishing between SCC and NPC, between SCC and lymphoma, and between NPC and lymphoma were 0.894 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec, 0.824 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec, and 0.694 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec, respectively. To produce a 100% specificity while sensitivity is maximized, the following ADC threshold values were obtained for prediction of differentiation between malignancies: (a) SCC versus lymphoma, greater than 0.824 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec (sensitivity, 94%), and lymphoma versus SCC, less than 0.767 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec (sensitivity 88%); (b) NPC versus SCC, less than 0.764 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec (sensitivity, 47%), and SCC versus NPC, greater than 1.093 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec (sensitivity, 39%); (c) NPC versus lymphoma, greater than 0.788 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec (sensitivity, 53%), and lymphoma versus NPC, no suitable threshold value. CONCLUSION Diffusion-weighted MR imaging shows significant differences among malignant nodes of SCC, lymphoma, and NPC. ADC threshold values can help distinguish SCC from lymphoma. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL http://radiology.rsnajnls. org/cgi/content/full/2451061804/DC1.
Methionine gamma‐lyase: The unique reaction mechanism, physiological roles, and therapeutic applications against infectious diseases and cancers

Sulfur‐containing amino acids (SAAs) are essential components in many biological processes and ubiquitously distributed to all organisms. Both biosynthetic and catabolic pathways of SAAs are heterogeneous among organisms and between developmental stages, and regulated by the environmental changes. Limited lineage of organisms ranging from archaea to plants, but not human, possess a unique enzyme methionine gamma‐lyase (MGL, EC 4.4.1.11) to directly degrade SAA to α‐keto acids, ammonia, and volatile thiols. The reaction mechanisms and the physiological roles of this enzyme are partially demonstrated by the enzymological analyzes, structure determination, isotopic labeling of the intermediate metabolites, and functional analyzes of deficient mutants. MGL has been exploited as a drug target for the infectious diseases caused by parasitic protozoa and anaerobic periodontal bacteria. In addition, MGL has been utilized to develop therapeutic interventions of various cancers, by introducing recombinant proteins to deplete methionine essential for the growth of cancer cells. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of enzymological properties, putative physiological roles, and therapeutic applications of MGL. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(11): 1019–1028, 2009
A 2.5-GS/s 30-mW 4-bit Flash ADC in 90nm CMOS

A 2.5 GS/s flash ADC, fabricated in 90 nm CMOS, avoids traditional power, speed and accuracy trade-offs by using comparator redundancy with power-gating capabilities. Redundancy removes the need to control comparator offsets, allowing the large process-variation induced mismatch of small devices in nanometer technologies. This enables the use of small-sized, ultra-low-power comparators. Measurement results show that the ADC dissipates 30 mW at 1.2 V. With 63 gate-able comparators, the ADC achieves 4.0 effective number of bits.
Functional reconstitution of the purified phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent mannitol-specific transport system of Escherichia coli in phospholipid vesicles: coupling between transport and phosphorylation

Purified mannitol-specific enzyme II (EII) from Escherichia coli was reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles with the aid of a detergent-dialysis procedure followed by a freeze-thaw sonication step. The orientation of EII in the proteoliposomes was random. The cytoplasmic moiety of the inverted EII could be removed with trypsin without effecting the integrity of the liposomal membrane. This enabled us to study the two different EII orientations independently. The population of inverted EII molecules was monitored by measuring active extrusion of mannitol after the addition of phosphoenolpyruvate, EI, and histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein (HPr) at the outside of the vesicles. The population of correctly oriented EII molecules was monitored by measuring active uptake of mannitol with internal phosphoenolpyruvate, EI, and HPr. A low rate of facilitated diffusion of mannitol via the unphosphorylated carrier could be measured. On the other hand, a high phosphorylation activity without translocation was observed at the outside of the liposomes. The kinetics of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent transport reaction and the nonvectorial phosphorylation reaction were compared. Transport of mannitol into the liposomes via the correctly oriented EII molecules occurred with a high affinity (Km, lower than 10 microM) and with a relatively low Vmax. Phosphorylation at the outside of the liposomes catalyzed by the inverted EII molecules occurred with a low affinity (Km of about 66 microM), while the maximal velocity was about 10 times faster than the transport reaction. The latter observation is kinetic proof for the lack of strict coupling between transport and phosphorylation in these enzymes.
Stereotyped fetal brain disorganization is induced by hypoxia and requires lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1) signaling

Fetal hypoxia is a common risk factor that has been associated with a range of CNS disorders including epilepsy, schizophrenia, and autism. Cellular and molecular mechanisms through which hypoxia may damage the developing brain are incompletely understood but are likely to involve disruption of the laminar organization of the cerebral cortex. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive lipid capable of cortical influences via one or more of six cognate G protein-coupled receptors, LPA1–6, several of which are enriched in fetal neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Here we report that fetal hypoxia induces cortical disruption via increased LPA1 signaling involving stereotyped effects on NPCs: N-cadherin disruption, displacement of mitotic NPCs, and impaired neuronal migration, as assessed both ex vivo and in vivo. Importantly, genetic removal or pharmacological inhibition of LPA1 prevented the occurrence of these hypoxia-induced phenomena. Hypoxia resulted in overactivation of LPA1 through selective inhibition of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 expression and activation of downstream pathways including Gαi and Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1. These data identify stereotyped and selective hypoxia-induced cerebral cortical disruption requiring LPA1 signaling, inhibition of which can reduce or prevent disease-associated sequelae, and may take us closer to therapeutic treatment of fetal hypoxia-induced CNS disorders and possibly other forms of hypoxic injury.
Functional diversity of Legionella pneumophila Dot/Icm Effector SdhA in Galleria mellonella model

Legionella pneumophila is the major agent of Legionnaire ́s Disease (LD) a severe and occasionally fatal pneumonia. This gram negative bacteria that is ubiquitous in freshwater environments and in many man-made water systems, replicates within aquatic protozoa (mainly amoeba), but also within human alveolar macrophages. L. pneumophila virulence depends on the ability to use the phagocytic vacuole, namely Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV), to create a replicative niche preventing phagosome-lysosome fusion and evade the host immune system. To accomplish these tasks L. pneumophila translocate numerous bacterial effectors into the host cell though Dot/Icm Type IV Secretion System (TB4SS). This secretion system is responsible for the translocation of vast number of effectors that modulate diverse host cell functions. Despite this large number of recognized effectors only a few are considered to be critical for intracellular growth and disease, such as SdhA protein. This protein is crucial for the maintenance of LCV integrity in macrophages, since in the absence of this effector the LCV disruption occurs resulting in the death of both host cell and bacterium. An increase in the use of G. mellonella as an infection model for human pathogens occurred in the past years due the existence of a large correlation between virulence of bacterial pathogens in the insect and in mammalian models. In this insect, mortality induced by L. pneumophila is both dose and functional Dot/Icm T4BSS-dependent. Moreover, the suitability of G. mellonella to determine the role of Dot/Icm T4BSS effectors, such SdhA, in the virulence of this bacterium was already demonstrated. The main objective of this study was to determine if the role of the crucial virulence-related Dot/Icm T4BSS effector SdhA induced different levels of virulence among unrelated L. pneumophila strains, isolated from different environments and with distinct genetic backgrounds, using G. mellonella larvae as an infection model. In this study the majority of L. pneumophila strains induced a sdhA-dependent larval mortality. In addition, relevant differences on the role of sdhA were observed among the studied strains. In sum, SdhA induced different levels of virulence among unrelated L. pneumophila strains in Galleria mellonella infection. Importantly, some degree of functional redundancy for SdhA was detected for the first time in a L. pneumophila strain.
Which Metabolites Circulate?

Characterization of the circulating metabolites for a new chemical entity in humans is essential for safety assessment, an understanding of their contributions to pharmacologic activities, and their potential involvement in drug-drug interactions. This review examines the abundance of metabolites relative to the total parent drug [metabolite-to-parent (M/P) ratio] from 125 drugs in relation to their structural and physicochemical characteristics, lipoidal permeability, protein binding, and fractional formation from parent (fm). Our analysis suggests that fm is the major determinant of total drug M/P ratio for amine, alcohol, N- and S-oxide, and carboxylic acid metabolites. Passage from the hepatocyte to systemic circulation does not appear to be limiting owing to the vast majority of metabolites formed being relatively lipid permeable. In some cases, active transport plays an important role in this process (e.g., carboxylic acid metabolites). Differences in total parent drug clearance and metabolite clearance are attenuated by the reduction in lipophilicity introduced by the metabolic step and resultant compensatory changes in unbound clearance and protein binding. A small subclass of these drugs (e.g., terfenadine) is unintentional prodrugs with very high parent drug clearance, resulting in very high M/P ratios. In contrast, arenol metabolites show a more complex relationship with fm due largely to the new metabolic routes (conjugation) available to the metabolite compared with the parent drug molecule. For these metabolites, a more thorough understanding of the elimination clearance of the metabolite is critical to discern the likelihood of whether the phenol will constitute a major circulating metabolite.
Down-regulation of glucocorticoid receptors in mouse lymphoma cell variants

The mouse thymoma-derived cell line W7 is sensitive to the cytolytic action of glucocorticoids. We have isolated a novel class of cell variant that apparently overcomes its inherent sensitivity to glucocorticoids by reversibly down-regulating the level of glucocorticoid receptors. This phenotype is stable during subcloning in the presence and in the absence of glucocorticoids and is dominant in somatic cell hybrids with wild-type cells. Fusion of this variant with wild-type cells produces hybrids that down-regulate and are less sensitive to glucocorticoids than hybrids of receptor-negative and wild-type cells. This is the first demonstration of a phenotypic change which correlates with down-regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor.
Pressure‐induced periprosthetic osteolysis: A rat model

Recent animal experiments have indicated that oscillating fluid pressure at the interface of bone and implant can lead to osteolysis. However, external nonphysiologic saline solutions were used to generate the pressure in these studies. In the present study on 15 Sprague‐Dawley rats, hydrostatic pressure fluctuations were applied to bone through body fluids, by compressing a soft‐tissue membrane adjacent to the proximal tibia. A titanium plate was fixed to the bone surface. After 28 days of osseointegration of the plate, a 1‐mm‐wide gap was created between it and the cortical bone and 5 days were given for fibrous tissue to form. Load was transmitted to this soft tissue by applying force on a piston mounted in the plate. In six rats, a cyclic pressure of 0.6 MPa was then applied to this tissue by 20 cycles twice a day with a frequency of 0.17 Hz for 5 days. The remaining rats served as controls, with the piston left untouched in its upper position. All of the rats were killed 10 days after creation of the gap. Histological sections were produced at a right angle to the loaded surface, In the pressurized specimens, osteoclastic bone resorption was dramatic. In all specimens, the original cortex was almost entirely resorbed but new woven bone had formed deeper in the marrow and walled off a cystic lesion. When necrotic remnants of the cortex were still in place, new woven bone was seen on the side away from the piston. This “lee effect” may indicate that bone formation was inhibited by fluid flow away from the pressurized tissue. The specimens with a nonloaded piston showed no signs of resorption. This new experimental model shows again that a moderate rise of hydrostatic pressure at the interface of bone and implant leads to considerable bone resorption. This could be a mechanism of prosthetic loosening.
Teacher perceptions of the North Carolina Educator Evaluation System and the use of value-added data as a measure of accountability

This qualitative research study is a phenomenological exploration of teachers' understanding of and perceptions about the teacher evaluation process in North Carolina and the use of the North Carolina Educator Evaluation System (NCEES). Twenty-three teachers with varying years of experience and from six schools of varying demographics were interviewed about their knowledge and perceptions of each evaluation standard and were asked to provide examples of how they have used feedback from the evaluation process to inform their professional practices. Overall, participants had a limited understanding of the standards-based portion of the NCEES and of the value-added data component of the NCEES. Teachers received limited feedback from the evaluation process and were generally unable to provide examples of how they have been able to use feedback from the evaluation process to inform their professional practices. Teachers provided insight about the strengths and weaknesses of the NCEES and suggestions for improvement in the evaluation process and in the NCEES. As a result of the findings, implications for future teacher evaluation in North Carolina are discussed.
A high-performance five-channel NMOSFET using selective epitaxial growth and lateral solid phase epitaxy

In this letter, a novel five-channel NMOSFET (FC-NMOS) using selective epitaxial growth (SEG) and lateral solid phase epitaxy (LSPE) is reported. The FC-NMOS is an integration of a conventional bulk NMOS, two vertical NMOS, and a gate-all-around NMOS. The top silicon layer for implementing the gate-all-around structure is obtained by using the LSPE with the SEG pillar as the silicon seed. The FC-NMOS has a 3.6/spl times/ higher current drive as compared to the conventional bulk NMOS. This makes the FC-NMOS very promising for VLSI/ULSI applications.
International price volatility of indian spices exports - An empirical analysis

India is a land of spices which has to play an important role in global market. The volume of export has mainly influenced by the factors like production of commodity, domestic consumption, international demand, domestic and international prices and their fluctuations. Among above factors the fluctuation in (both the short and long-run behavour) of international price has important implications on trade, domestic production and export revenue. An understanding of the pattern of volatility of major spices exports could provide some guidelines to policymakers, commodity producers and traders. This paper is made an attempt to empirically examine persistence and asymmetry in volatility of international prices of spices through GARCH I model and its effect on exports by using time series data for the period between 2001-02 and 2007-08. The empirical results reveal that volatility of international prices of selected spices generally tends to fluctuate over time and there is an evidence of long-term persistence and volatility clustering in prices.