Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Financial Firm Production of Monetary Services: A Generalized Symmetric Barnett Variable Profit Function Approach

An alternative monetary-production model of financial firms is employed to investigate supply-side monetary aggregation. Financial firms are conceived to produce monetary services as outputs through financial intermediation. A new method for testing the existence of consistent monetary-output aggregates in financial firms' production technology is developed in terms of a multiproduct firm's variable profit function, and the method does not require homotheticity of the aggregator function. We use a generalized symmetric Barnett flexible functional form. That specification satisfies global curvature conditions and retains its flexibility under the null hypothesis of weak separability. Neither of those properties is possessed by other flexible functional forms.
Distinct Rab‐binding domains mediate the interaction of Rabaptin‐5 with GTP‐bound rab4 and rab5

Rabaptin‐5 functions as an effector for the small GTPase Rab5, a regulator of endocytosis and early endosome fusion. We have searched for structural determinants that confer functional specificity on Rabaptin‐5. Here we report that native cytosolic Rabaptin‐5 is present in a homodimeric state and dimerization depends upon the presence of its coiled‐coil predicted sequences. A 73 residue C‐terminal region of Rabaptin‐5 is necessary and sufficient both for the interaction with Rab5 and for Rab5‐dependent recruitment of the protein on early endosomes. Surprisingly, we uncovered the presence of an additional Rab‐binding domain at the N‐terminus of Rabaptin‐5. This domain mediates the direct interaction with the GTP‐bound form of Rab4, a small GTPase that has been implicated in recycling from early endosomes to the cell surface. Based on these results, we propose that Rabaptin‐5 functions as a molecular linker between two sequentially acting GTPases to coordinate endocytic and recycling traffic.
Political Economics: Explaining Economic Policy

What determines the size and form of redistributive programs, the extent and type of public goods provision, the burden of taxation across alternative tax bases, the size of government deficits, and the stance of monetary policy during the course of business and electoral cycles? A large and rapidly growing literature in political economics attempts to answer these questions. But so far there is little consensus on the answers and disagreement on the appropriate mode of analysis. Combining the best of three separate traditions—the theory of macroeconomic policy, public choice, and rational choice in political science—Torsten Persson and Guido Tabellini suggest a unified approach to the field. As in modern macroeconomics, individual citizens behave rationally, their preferences over economic outcomes inducing preferences over policy. As in public choice, the delegation of policy decisions to elected representatives may give rise to agency problems between voters and politicians. And, as in rational choice, political institutions shape the procedures for setting policy and electing politicians. The authors outline a common method of analysis, establish several new results, and identify the main outstanding problems.
Three fingers on the switch: Krüppel-like factor 1 regulation of &ggr;-globin to &bgr;-globin gene switching

Purpose of reviewKrüppel-like factor 1 (KLF1) regulates most aspects of erythropoiesis. Many years ago, transgenic mouse studies implicated KLF1 in the control of the human &ggr;-globin to &bgr;-globin switch. In this review, we will integrate these initial studies with recent developments in human genetics to discuss our present understanding of how KLF1 and its target genes direct the switch. Recent findingsRecent studies have shown that human mutations in KLF1 are common and mostly asymptomatic, but lead to significant increases in levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) (&agr;2&ggr;2) and adult HbA2 (&agr;2&dgr;2). Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have demonstrated that three primary loci are associated with increased HbF levels in the population: the &bgr;-globin locus itself, the BCL11A locus, and a site between MYB and HBS1L. We discuss evidence that KLF1 directly regulates BCL11A, MYB and other genes, which are involved directly or indirectly in &ggr;-globin silencing, thus providing a link between GWAS and KLF1 in hemoglobin switching. SummaryKLF1 regulates the &ggr;-globin to &bgr;-globin genetic switch by many mechanisms. Firstly, it facilitates formation of an active chromatin hub (ACH) at the &bgr;-globin gene cluster. Specifically, KLF1 conscripts the adult-stage &bgr;-globin gene to replace the &ggr;-globin gene within the ACH in a stage-specific manner. Secondly, KLF1 acts as a direct activator of genes that encode repressors of &ggr;-globin gene expression. Finally, KLF1 is a regulator of many components of the cell cycle machinery. We suggest that dysregulation of these genes leads to cell cycle perturbation and ‘erythropoietic stress’ leading to indirect upregulation of HbF.
Teaching English Based Programming Courses to English Language Learners/Non-Native Speakers of English

Computer programming languages are designed to communicate instructions to machines. Most programming languages are designed based on the English language, and use sequences of text including words, numbers, and punctuation. Students who are non-native speakers of English are taught programming courses through English as the medium of instruction. This leads to the possible problem that students' lack of language skills could prohibit learning in computer languages. The aim of this study is to identify the effect of students’ English compr ehension on acquisition of programming ability. An overview of current research in this area is discussed and testing methodology created to measure student’s English knowledge on computer programming keywords and secondly to test effect of their programming
Eliminating Absence Seizures through the Deep Brain Stimulation to Thalamus Reticular Nucleus

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) can play a crucial role in the modulation of absence seizures, yet relevant biophysical mechanisms are not completely established. In this paper, on the basis of a biophysical mean-field model, we investigate a typical absence epilepsy activity by introducing slow kinetics of GABAB receptors on thalamus reticular nucleus (TRN). We find that the region of spike and slow-wave discharges (SWDs) can be reduced greatly when we add the DBS to TRN. Furthermore, we systematically explore how the corresponding stimulation parameters including frequency, amplitude and positive input duration suppress the SWDs under certain conditions. It is shown that the SWDs can be controlled as key stimulation parameters are suitably chosen. The results in this paper can be helpful for researchers to understand the thalamus stimulation in treating epilepsy patients, and provide theoretical basis for future experimental and clinical studies.
Trade, foreign direct investment and economic development of Southeast Asia

Abstract The Southeast Asian economies, more particularly the ASEAN‐5 of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, have been pursuing an increasingly outward‐oriented, export‐led and foreign direct investment‐led development strategy. This has contributed to high growth performance and structural transformation in recent decades, as trade and FDI enable these economies to overcome the constraints of small domestic markets and narrow resource bases; exploit comparative advantage and scale economies; access foreign capital, technology and managerial and marketing expertise. However, there has been some questioning of the sustainability of the Southeast Asian model, particularly in the light of the regional currency and financial crisis that has engulfed the region since July 1997. The crisis has not negated the role of trade and has strengthened the role of FDI. Opening capital accounts and domestic financial systems without putting in place measures to strengthen the latter, including prude.
A Rab11- and Microtubule-Dependent Mechanism for Cytoplasmic Transport of Influenza A Virus Viral RNA

ABSTRACT The viral RNA (vRNA) genome of influenza A virus is replicated in the nucleus, exported to the cytoplasm as ribonucleoproteins (RNPs), and trafficked to the plasma membrane through uncertain means. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization to detect vRNA as well as the live cell imaging of fluorescently labeled RNPs, we show that an early event in vRNA cytoplasmic trafficking involves accumulation near the microtubule organizing center in multiple cell types and viral strains. Here, RNPs colocalized with Rab11, a pericentriolar recycling endosome marker. Cytoplasmic RNP localization was perturbed by inhibitors of vesicular trafficking, microtubules, or the short interfering RNA-mediated depletion of Rab11. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged RNPs in living cells demonstrated rapid, bidirectional, and saltatory movement, which is characteristic of microtubule-based transport, and also cotrafficked with fluorescent Rab11. Coprecipitation experiments showed an interaction between RNPs and the GTP-bound form of Rab11, potentially mediated via the PB2 subunit of the polymerase. We propose that influenza virus RNPs are routed from the nucleus to the pericentriolar recycling endosome (RE), where they access a Rab11-dependent vesicular transport pathway to the cell periphery.
Insulin-induced Gene Protein (INSIG)-dependent Sterol Regulation of Hmg2 Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation (ERAD) in Yeast*

Background: INSIG proteins are central to the control of lipids in mammals. Results: Sterols regulate Nsg1-Hmg2 interactions, imparting a distinct level of HMGR stability control. Conclusion: INSIG sterol dependence is conserved between mammals and yeast. Significance: The yeast INSIGs can provide a genetically tractable platform to study the action of these medically important regulators of sterol homeostasis. Insulin-induced gene proteins (INSIGs) function in control of cellular cholesterol. Mammalian INSIGs exert control by directly interacting with proteins containing sterol-sensing domains (SSDs) when sterol levels are elevated. Mammalian 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase (HMGR) undergoes sterol-dependent, endoplasmic-reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD) that is mediated by INSIG interaction with the HMGR SSD. The yeast HMGR isozyme Hmg2 also undergoes feedback-regulated ERAD in response to the early pathway-derived isoprene gernanylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). Hmg2 has an SSD, and its degradation is controlled by the INSIG homologue Nsg1. However, yeast Nsg1 promotes Hmg2 stabilization by inhibiting GGPP-stimulated ERAD. We have proposed that the seemingly disparate INSIG functions can be unified by viewing INSIGs as sterol-dependent chaperones of SSD clients. Accordingly, we tested the role of sterols in the Nsg1 regulation of Hmg2. We found that both Nsg1-mediated stabilization of Hmg2 and the Nsg1-Hmg2 interaction required the early sterol lanosterol. Lowering lanosterol in the cell allowed GGPP-stimulated Hmg2 ERAD. Thus, Hmg2-regulated degradation is controlled by a two-signal logic; GGPP promotes degradation, and lanosterol inhibits degradation. These data reveal that the sterol dependence of INSIG-client interaction has been preserved for over 1 billion years. We propose that the INSIGs are a class of sterol-dependent chaperones that bind to SSD clients, thus harnessing ER quality control in the homeostasis of sterols.
The Evolution of Human Sigma

Different quality management concepts, including Six Sigma, have been applied by many different types of organizations. Although much important work has been documented regarding Six Sigma, a number of questions remain concerning the applicability of these concepts in various organizations and contexts. Currently, limited research has been conducted on the Human Sigma approach. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to analyse the principles and philosophies of Human Sigma and its relationship to Six Sigma through a systematic review of the literature. It is suggested that this in turn will lead to a better understanding of the Human Sigma approach and ultimately bridge the gap in the literature. Therefore, the paper argues that much can be learned from the principles and practices of Six Sigma, however the discussion further provides an assessment of the Human Sigma principles and their potential suitability to tourism businesses. In particular, specific similarities and differences concerning areas such as methodologies, tools, and results are presented in this article.
The changing landscape of the globalisation of international higher education

The transformation of the higher education sector as a global export industry has proliferated to countries that have been the traditional source of international students. The traditional view of the globalisation of international education, the top-down approach, is no longer adequate to explain the phenomenon. A better model to explain the globalisation of international education, because it also considers the bottom-up approach of the globalisation of international education is through the use of the international product life cycle theory. The changing landscape of international higher education now has also rendered current literatures on the marketing of international higher education, which are based on the top-down approach, questionable. This is so because the assumptions behind the understanding and the theories may no longer be relevant. Thus, there is now a need to review the current understanding or theories pertaining to the marketing of international higher education.
Subcutaneous vs intravenous rituximab in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a time and motion study in the United Kingdom

Abstract Objective: Rituximab is part of standard therapy for many non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients, and is usually administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion. A formulation for subcutaneous (SC) injection will be available from June 2014. A time and motion study was conducted to investigate the staff time and costs associated with administration of SC and IV rituximab. Research design and methods: The time and motion study was conducted in three UK centers alongside a phase III trial of SC rituximab in patients with NHL (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01461928). Active healthcare professional (HCP) time spent on the preparation and administration of IV and SC rituximab was recorded and used to calculate the associated costs. Results: Total active HCP time associated with administration of IV rituximab was 223.3 min (95% CI = 218.0–228.7), vs 48.5 min (95% CI = 45.5–51.6) for SC rituximab, a saving of 174.8 min (95% CI = 172.5–177.1) per session. Patient time in the treatment room was 263.8 min (95% CI = 236.6–294.3) for IV rituximab and 70.0 min (95% CI = 57.1–87.2) for SC rituximab, per session. The SC formulation reduced total mean staff costs by £115.17 (95% CI = 98.95–136.93) per session. Differing monitoring scenarios during infusion consistently showed time and cost savings for SC rituximab. Limitations: Study limitations include the non-interventional design and lack of statistical power, and the investigational nature of SC rituximab. The data collected did not account for patient and center characteristics and variability on active HCP time. Conclusions: SC rituximab was associated with reduced active HCP time and costs vs IV rituximab, as well as reduced patient time in the treatment room. Switching from IV to SC rituximab could increase treatment room capacity and patient throughput, as well as improving the patient experience.
On the Perception of Glass Patterns

Recent findings about our perception of Glass patterns suggest that the processes responsible for the perception of a global pattern composed of random features may be mechanisms performing measurements in the spatial and energy domain rather than logical operations on symbolic descriptions. These mechanisms may be based on principles derivable from spatial regularity and coherence of objects in the three-dimensional world.
Were In-Process Research and Development Charges Too Aggressive?

Prior research documents that US firms write off large in-process research and development charges (IPRD) for acquisitions, possibly overstating the current period expense to inflate future earnings. Consequently, in 1998, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) began scrutinizing IPRD charges. We use pre-acquisition R&D expenses of 144 target firms as a benchmark for assessing whether IPRD charges are appropriate. Overall, the results suggest that most firms during our sample period were not overly aggressive in expensing IPRD-especially for acquisitions subsequent to the SEC's scrutiny. The results also indicate that the SEC's intervention reduced the frequency of overstated IPRD charges. Copyright (c) 2009 The Authors Journal compilation (c) 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Drug discovery technologies and strategies for Machupo virus and other New World arenaviruses

Introduction: Seven arenaviruses cause viral hemorrhagic fever in humans: the Old World arenaviruses Lassa and Lujo, and the New World Clade B arenaviruses Machupo (MACV), Junín (JUNV), Guanarito (GTOV), Sabiá (SABV), and Chapare (CHPV). All of these viruses are Risk Group 4 biosafety pathogens. MACV causes human disease outbreak with high case-fatality rates. To date, at least 1,200 cases with ≈200 fatalities have been recorded. Areas covered: This review summarizes available systems and technologies for the identification of antivirals against MACV. Furthermore, the article summarizes animal models that have been used for the in vivo evaluation of novel inhibitors. The article highlights present treatments for arenaviral diseases and provides an overview of efficacious small molecules and other therapeutics reported to date. Finally, the article summarizes strategies to identify novel inhibitors for anti-arenaviral therapy. Expert opinion: New high-throughput approaches to quantitate infection rates of arenaviruses, as well as viruses modified to carry reporter genes, will accelerate compound screens and drug discovery efforts. RNAi, gene expression profiling and proteomics studies will identify host targets for therapeutic intervention. New discoveries in the cell entry mechanism of MACV and other arenaviruses as well as extensive structural studies of arenaviral L and NP could facilitate the rational design of antivirals effective against all pathogenic New World arenaviruses.
A Stochastic Frontier Approach to Firm Level Efficiency, Technological Change, and Productivity during the Early Transition in Hungary

This paper fits translog stochastic frontiers with inefficiency effects to a panel of Hungarian firm level data for 117 agricultural enterprises and 43 firms in the light manufacturing sector for the period from 1985 to 1991. Throughout this period, labor and materials make important contributions to output while energy and capital do not. Constant returns to scale and low elasticities of substitution are the norm. Technological regression dominates, giving negative productivity change, but the cross-section estimates show that relative efficiency improved sufficiently in both agriculture and industry. In the later years, the average production function is preferred to the stochastic frontier, except when manufacturing efficiency collapsed in 1991. The inefficiencies are explained by overcapitalization, subsidies, and excessive management costs, while firms that had established export markets were more efficient.J. Comp. Econom. , September 2000, 28(3), pp. 473–501. Birkbeck College, University of London, London WC1E 7HX, United Kingdom; University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, Republic of South Africa; and Imperial College, University of London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, Republic of South Africa.
Health-related quality of life in ankylosing spondylitis: a survey of 175 patients.

OBJECTIVE To identify aspects of health-related quality of life that are most commonly affected in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS One hundred seventy-five participants in a longitudinal study of health status in AS completed a cross-sectional survey that asked them to rate the presence and importance of problems in 23 aspects of quality of life, including symptoms, disability, mood, relations with others, and concerns about treatments and the future. Participants also completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS The mean age of the participants was 51.1 years, and the mean duration of AS was 23.7 years; 119 (68%) were men. The most prevalent quality of life concerns included stiffness (90.2%), pain (83.1%), fatigue (62.4%), poor sleep (54.1%), concerns about appearance (50.6%), worry about the future (50.3%), and medication side effects (41%). Compared with those who had some college education, participants with 12 years of education or less were 2 to 4 times more likely to have problems or concerns with medication side effects, mobility, housework and self-care tasks, coping with illness, anxiety, payment for treatment, and relationships with spouses, family, and friends. Mean scores on the 8 domains of the SF-36 (range 0-100; higher scores indicate better function) ranged from 49 (energy/fatigue) to 77 (role limitations due to emotional problems). Patients with 12 years of education or less had significantly lower scores than those with some college on all domains except general health. CONCLUSIONS In addition to pain and stiffness, fatigue and sleep problems are important concerns in patients with AS, while few reported problems with mood or social relationships. Less educated patients had lower quality of life in many different aspects.
Phosphorylation status of the Kep 1 protein alters its affinity for its protein binding partner alternative splicing factor ASF / SF 2

Mutations in the Drosophila kep1 gene, encoding a single maxi KH (K homology) domain-containing RNA-binding protein, result in a reduction of fertility in part due to the disruption of the apoptotic programme during oogenesis. This disruption is concomitant with the appearance of an alternatively spliced mRNA isoform encoding the inactive caspase dredd. We generated a Kep1 antibody and have found that the Kep1 protein is present in the nuclei of both the follicle and nurse cells during all stages of Drosophila oogenesis. We have shown that the Kep1 protein is phosphorylated in ovaries induced to undergo apoptosis following treatment with the topoisomerase I inhibitor camptothecin. We have also found that the Kep1 protein interacts specifically with the SR (serine/arginine-rich) protein family member ASF/SF2 (alternative splicing factor/splicing factor 2). This interaction is independent of the ability of Kep1 to bind RNA, but is dependent on the phosphorylation of the Kep1 protein, with the interaction between Kep1 and ASF/SF2 increasing in the presence of activated Src. Using a CD44v5 alternative splicing reporter construct, we observed 99% inclusion of the alternatively spliced exon 5 following kep1 transfection in a cell line that constitutively expresses activated Src. This modulation in splicing was not observed in the parental NIH 3T3 cell line in which we obtained 7.5 % exon 5 inclusion following kep1 transfection. Our data suggest a mechanism of action in which the in vivo phosphorylation status of the Kep1 protein affects its affinity towards its protein binding partners and in turn may allow for the modulation of alternative splice site selection in Kep1–ASF/SF2dependent target genes.