Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Relationship between the Spm and En Control Systems in Maize

En (Enhancer) resembles Spm (Suppressor-mutator) in controlling the mutability of the am-1 1 allele. In the absence of En or Spm, kernels possessing the am-1 1 are pale. In the presence of either of these two elements, gene action is suppressed and the am-1 1 containing kernels are colorless until a mutation event to A1 occurs (colored spots on a colorless background). En is identical to Spm in this respect; both suppress the action of the am-1 1 allele and also cause it to periodically mutate. The presence of En is determined by its simultaneous effect on am(r) 1. Evidence is presented to show that the mutation event is not a result of the loss of the regulatory element. The controlling elements of the am-1 1 and am(r) 1 alleles of the Spm and En systems, respectively, are not identical. The controlling component itself of most of the am-1 1 alleles is in a "turn off" condition in the absence of the Spm regulatory element. A similar condition has not been found in the En system. The am(r) 1 allele expresses gene action by a change in the controlling element only in the presence of the regulatory element. This discrepancy in the condition of the controlling element cannot be explained by the presence of a modified En type that has suppressor but lacks mutator qualities.
The Moderating Effect of Social Capital on Fiscal Policy Responses to COVID- 19: Cross-Country Evidence

This study suggests that an adequate level of social capital with a robust health profile might be associated with positive policy outcomes in combating COVID-19. We investigate the effect of interaction between fiscal policy responses and social capital on the spreading of the pandemic, by considering the country health profile, demographic and economic factors, in a cross-section of 94 countries. Firstly, the results of the analysis indicate the moderating effect of social capital on keeping the pandemic under control through fiscal policy measures. In particular, strong bilateral and family ties as well as better coordination and cooperation at the community level can facilitate the goal of fiscal policy measures. The results also reveal that the declining effect of fiscal policy on the pandemic mostly arises from the relatively high social capital levels, while it loses its effectiveness at low levels. Secondly, the findings emphasize the role of behavioural risk factors, care systems and preventative interventions as prominent determinants of surviving in pandemic. Thirdly, we conclude that taking specific measures for identified vulnerable and high-risk groups is quite important in overcoming the disease.
Sentiment and Uncertainty

Sentiment should exhibit its strongest effects on asset prices at times when valuations are most subjective. Consistent with this hypothesis, we show that a one-standard-deviation increase in aggregate uncertainty amplifies the predictive ability of sentiment for market returns by two to four times relative to when uncertainty is at its mean. We find similar evidence for the cross-section of returns; the predictive ability of sentiment for returns of test assets expected to be most sensitive to sentiment and for anomaly returns is substantially larger in times of higher uncertainty. The results hold for both daily and monthly proxies for sentiment and for various proxies for uncertainty. The evidence sheds light on one component of time-series variation in mispricing and suggests that the effects of sentiment are greatest in times of higher uncertainty.
Lies and Reciprocity in Economic and Social Interactions

We study experimentally how (un)selfish lies are reciprocated – or not – in subsequent economic interactions in the labor market. We find that while selfish lies are punished (negative reciprocity), prosocial and altruistic lies are neither punished nor rewarded (lack of positive reciprocity). All three types of lies adversely affect the outcomes of subsequent gift-exchange games, either through lower wages or through lower effort provisions. We show that even kindness, when conveyed via a “charitable” altruistic lie, harms economic efficiency and disadvantages the liar. Our results add insight to our understanding of the implications of unethical behavior in the markets and point to the importance of honesty as a foundation of efficient economic interactions.
Citric acid production from raw glycerol by acetate mutants of Yarrowia lipolytica

Three acetate mutants of the yeast species Yarrowia lipolytica were screened using batch cultivation. The strain Y. lipolytica 1.31 was found to be the most suitable for citric acid production from raw glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel production from rapeseed oil. At the initial concentration of glycerol of 200 g dm−3, the citric acid production of 124.5 g dm−3, yield of 0.62 g g−1, and productivity of 0.88 g dm−3 h−1 were achieved.
An Update of the Bank of Italy Methodology Underlying the Estimation of Price-Competitiveness Misalignments

This paper documents the recent innovations to the Bank of Italy methodology underlying the estimation of price-competitiveness misalignments , first put forward in Giordano (2018); it also provides the most recent misalignment estimates for the euro area and for its four main economies, based on five alternatively deflated indicators. The extension of the sample period, the recalibration of the trade weights employed and the significant data revisions and refinements introduced have not qualitatively modified the assessment of misalignments since 1999 for the afore-mentioned economies, although point estimates have changed non-negligibly. In the first half of 2019, no significant price competitiveness misalignment is recorded for Italy and for the euro area as a whole, whereas for France, Germany and Spain there is still evidence of a modest undervaluation.
GDP Modelling and Forecasting Using ARIMA. An Empirical Assessment for Innovative Economy Formation

This article discusses the construction of a forecast model of the gross domestic product for the Republic of Moldova. The theme arises from a first need to redefine, economic growth in the context of increasing globalization but also the complexity of commercial transactions. The forecasting method used is based on ARIMA each model partly emphasizing the urgent need to redefine, the economic growth in the context of the Association Agreement (AA) with the EU, which includes a Comprehensive and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (2014) but also future prospects of integration among the countries with an average degree of development. The technique used comes to bring novelty in the field of forecasting, as an alternative to the one with simultaneous equations and traditional VAR models. The policy and practical implications of the results are the strengths. The limits are due to the high degree of risk and uncertainty, which is due to the low degree of real convergence of the economy, but also to other factors such as the regional context, the lack of openness of the economy, the diversification of exports and services. In conclusion, the model aims not only to redefine the area of macroeconomic forecasting but also to offer a future perspective of adopting combined techniques such as the Bayesian technique, but also the scenario method. The degree of complexity arises from the adaptation and study of the chronological series 1995-2019 for the branch - information and communications, subgroup GDP, categories of resources, which themselves have specific asymmetries and nuances. The basic ARIMA equations are generally used in conjunction with three sets of assumptions regarding the formation of the gross domestic product, referring to the elasticity of aggregate demand or excess supply in the goods and labor markets. Another hypothesis concerns the rigid wage and constant prices, with an excessive supply only in the telecom market. Also, the salary is rigid, while the price level is adjusted based on the market of goods and commodities, so that the excess supply appears only in the labor market. Finally, in a third assumption, both markets are assumed to be mutually adjusting. The multipliers of fiscal and monetary policy, besides the conclusions that can be drawn about economic policy, are obviously different in these three assumptions. The article presents a synthetic model that supports the three particular sub-regimes of assumptions of a single adapted ARIMA model, namely the trajectory of a balance in the goods and services market, the labor market and the national financial system.
Variation of amino acid properties in protein secondary structures, α-helices and β-strands

A study was made on the physical, chemical, energetic, conformational, geometric, and dynamic property potentials of amino acid residues in protein secondary structures: α-helix and β-strand. Property patterns were obtained by computing the average property values for specified residue units partitioned longitudinally and transversely about the chain. It was found that in r-helices with not more than 15 residues, there exist longitudinally opposing portions, one characteristically higher in average property potentials than the other. The helical chain, in general, acquires either an increasing or decreasing average potential in the N-terminal to C-terminal direction. The sequence-wise and surface-wise variations of property potentials in the elements of β-structure also revealed such general patterns. Possible wrong predictions in statistical methods of one secondary structural class over the other are pointed out.
Wage Responses to Gender Pay Gap Reporting Requirements

In the face of a stubbornly persistent gap between male and female wages, governments worldwide are considering a range of policies. In this paper I study one such policy, in which firms are required to publicly report gender pay gap statistics. Proponents argue that increasing the information available to workers and consumers pressures firms to take responsibility for pay gaps and ultimately close them, but opponents argue that such policies are poorly targeted and hence ineffective. This paper contributes to this debate by analyzing the UK’s recent reporting policy in which employers are mandated to publicly report simple measures of their gender pay gap each year. Exploiting a discontinuous size threshold in the policy’s coverage, I apply a difference-in-difference strategy to linked employer-employee data. I find that the introduction of reporting requirements led to a two percentage point narrowing of the gender pay gap in affected firms. This large effect is due to an increase in female workers’ wages and a fall in male workers’ wages rather than a change in the composition of affected organizations. The effect is driven by higher-earning workers towards the start of their careers and not covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Phagocytosis in Plant Protoplasts

Protoplasts from mesophyll cells from leaves of Nicotiana tabacum and cultured cells of Rauwolfia serpentina were used. When polyethylene glycol was added to a mixture of these protoplasts, some protoplasts phagocytotically ingested another whole protoplast into their vacuoles. Phagocytosis occurred not only between protoplasts of the same species but also between those of different species. At the initial contact of two protoplasts, the cytoplasm between the plasma membrane and the tonoplast of the ingesting protoplast migrated from the area of contact and an invagination developed containing the other protoplast which was finally incorporated into the vacuole by closure of the invagination.
Effects of alfalfa germplasm and stage of maturity on digestive process and productive response of dairy cows fed alfalfa hay-based diets

Abstract The effects on the digestive process and the productive performances of dairy cows fed diets containing alfalfa hay from different germplasms and maturity were assessed in the present study. Three different lots of first-cut alfalfa hay were used in the study: the improved variety “Boreal”, harvested at two consecutive maturity stages (early flowering and full flowering) and the ecotype “Vogherese”, at full flowering. Cutting the plant at an earlier stage of maturity improved hay quality in comparison with the more mature forages (crude protein: 21.4 vs 16.5% DM; P<0.01; NDF: 42.2 vs 53.5% DM; P<0.01). The comparison between improved variety and ecotype carried out at the same maturity showed a higher lignin content for the latter (8.6 vs 8.2% DM; P<0.01). Three isocaloric, isonitrogenous and isofibrous diets for lactating cows were formulated using an equal amount of corn silage and the maximum inclusion of one of the tested hays as forage base. The better quality of the early cut hay made it possible to increase its inclusion in the diet up to 44% of total dietary DM, while the two more mature hays covered only 36% of total DM of the respective diets. According to a 3 x 3 Latin square design, the diets were fed to 3 Italian Brown cows (initial average days in milk 121 ± 24 and milk yield 20 kg ± 1.3) fitted with ruminal cannula in 3 consecutive periods of 28 d each. Alfalfa stage of maturity and germplasm did not affect dietary DM intake (average 16 kg/d). Degradability parameters of dietary DM, calculated by in situ nylon bags technique, showed similar kinetics of rumen disappearance for all diets. No differences were noticed in the ruminal rate of passage of the solid phase among diets, while the liquid phase showed a slower rate of passage for the early flowering hay diet. Consistent with the degradation process, the stage of maturity or the alfalfa germplasm did not affect the rumen fluid data or the in vivo digestibility coefficients of the diets. Milk yield did not show any change due to either alfalfa maturity or cultivar, while milk protein was lowered when cows received the early cut hay diet. This result was likely due to an excess of rumen degradable dietary protein which could have been limited by replacing part of the dietary protein sources (soybean meal) with others more resistant to the ruminal degradation.
Na,K‐ATPase α2 inhibition alters calcium responses in optic nerve astrocytes

Experiments were conducted to test the effect of 1 μM ouabain, an Na,K‐ATPase inhibitor, on capacitative calcium entry (CCE) and calcium responses elicited by ATP in rat optic nerve astrocytes. In the rat, 1 μM ouabain is sufficient to inhibit the α2 Na,K‐ATPase, but not the α1. Immortalized astrocytes derived from Na,K‐ATPase α2 homozygous knockout (KO) mice and wild‐type (WT) littermates were also used. Cytosolic calcium and sodium concentrations were measured using Fura‐2 and SBFI, respectively. The magnitude of the increase in cytosolic calcium concentration during CCE was significantly greater in rat astrocytes exposed to 1 μM ouabain. To measure calcium release from stores, cells were exposed to ATP in the absence of extracellular calcium. In astrocytes exposed to 1 μM ouabain, a significantly greater calcium response to ATP was observed. 1 μM ouabain was shown to inhibit ATP hydrolysis in membrane material containing Na,K‐ATPase α2 and α1 isoforms (rat muscle) but not in membranes containing only Na,K‐ATPase α1 (rat kidney). In intact astrocytes, 1 μM ouabain did not alter the cell‐wide cytosolic sodium concentration. In mouse Na,K‐ATPase α2 KO astrocytes, the calcium increase during CCE was significantly higher than in WT cells, as was the magnitude of the calcium response to ATP. In KO astrocytes, but not WT, the cytosolic calcium increase during CCE was insensitive to 1 μM ouabain. Taken together, the results suggest that selective inhibition of the Na,K‐ATPase α2 isoform has the potential to change calcium signaling and CCE. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Numerical Study of the Merton PIDE in Option Pricing

I present a complete numerical study of the implicit-explicit finite difference method used to solve partial integro-differential equations (PIDEs) arising in mathematical finance. The study considers the specific case of the Merton jump-diffusion model, which is used to compute prices of European call and put options. These PIDE prices are then compared with prices obtained by closed formula, Fourier inversion, and Monte Carlo methods.
RESPONSE TO INJECTABLE SELENIUM AND VITAMIN E ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SOWS RECEIVING A STANDARD COMMERCIAL DIET

Thirty-one purebred Landrace sows were allocated to one of three experimental groups to determine the nutritional significance of parenteral injection of 3 mg selenium (Se) plus 408 IU of vitamin E as d-alpha-tocopherol. The three treatment groups consisted of (1) a control (no injection); (2) supplementation at 30, 60 and 100 d of gestation; and (3) supplementation at weaning of previous litter or approximately 1 wk prior to artificial insemination (AI) and at 30, 60 and 100 d of gestation. All sows were fed 2.5 kg d−1 (0.1 ppm Se and 15 IU vitamin E kg−1 diet) during gestation and ad libitum during a lactation period of 3 wk. Treatment did not affect (P > 0.05) weight changes of sows. The blood Se and vitamin A levels were not affected by treatment. Plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was kept within a narrow range except at 100 d of gestation when activity was significantly different for treatment 2 versus the control. Vitamin E levels of plasma were significantly (P < 0.05) lower for the c.
Some free‐living heterotrophic flagellates from marine sediments of inchon and Ganghwa Island, Korea

Heterotrophic flagellates occurring in the marine sediments of Inchon and Ganghwa Island are reported. Fifty‐six species from 38 genera were encountered in this survey and two new taxa were recorded: Cyranomonas australis sp. nov. and Gweamonas unicus sp. nov. There was little evidence for endemism because all flagellates including the two new taxa described here have been found from other habitats in Australia which are geographically remote from Korea. This study supports the model that free‐living heterotrophic flagellates have a world‐wide distribution.
On the role of endogenous G‐protein βγ subunits in N‐type Ca2+ current inhibition by neurotransmitters in rat sympathetic neurones

1 Using whole‐cell and perforated‐patch recordings, we have examined the part played by endogenous G‐protein βγ subunits in neurotransmitter‐mediated inhibition of N‐type Ca2+ channel current (ICa) in dissociated rat superior cervical sympathetic neurones. 2 Expression of the C‐terminus domain of β‐adrenergic receptor kinase 1 (βARK1), which contains the consensus motif (QXXER) for binding Gβγ, reduced the fast (pertussis toxin (PTX)‐sensitive) and voltage‐dependent inhibition of ICa by noradrenaline and somatostatin, but not the slow (PTX‐insensitive) and voltage‐independent inhibition induced by angiotensin II. βARK1 peptide reduced GTP‐γ‐S‐induced voltage‐dependent and PTX‐sensitive inhibition of ICa but not GTP‐γ‐S‐mediated voltage‐independent inhibition. 3 Overexpression of Gβ1γ2, which mimicked the voltage‐dependent inhibition by reducing ICa density and enhancing basal facilitation, occluded the voltage‐dependent noradrenaline‐ and somatostatin‐mediated inhibitions but not the inhibition mediated by angiotensin II. 4 Co‐expression of the C‐terminus of βARK1 with β1 and γ2 subunits prevented the effects of Gβγ dimers on basal Ca2+ channel behaviour in a manner consistent with the sequestering of Gβγ. 5 The expression of the C‐terminus of βARK1 slowed down reinhibition kinetics of ICa following conditioning depolarizations and induced long‐lasting facilitation by cumulatively sequestering βγ subunits. 6 Our findings identify endogenous Gβγ as the mediator of the voltage‐dependent, PTX‐sensitive inhibition of ICa induced by both noradrenaline and somatostatin but not the voltage‐independent, PTX‐insensitive inhibition by angiotensin II. They also support the view that voltage‐dependent inhibition results from a direct Gβγ‐Ca2+ channel interaction.
Agonist-Specific Regulation of δ-Opioid Receptor Trafficking by G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase and β-Arrestin

AbstractOpioid receptors mediate multiple biological functions through their interaction with endogenous opioid peptides as well as opioid alkaloids including morphine and etorphine. Previously we have reported that the ability of distinct opioid agonists to differentially regulate μ-opioid receptor (μOR) responsiveness is related to their ability to promote G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)-dependent phosphorylation of the receptor (1). In the present study, we further examined the role of GRK and β-arrestin in agonist-specific regulation of the δ-opioid receptor (δOR). While both etorphine and morphine effectively activate the δOR, only etorphine triggers robust δOR phosphorylation followed by plasma membrane translocation of β-arrestin and receptor internalization. In contrast, morphine is unable to either elicit δOR phosphorylation or stimulate β-arrestin translocation, correlating with its inability to cause δOR internalization. Unlike for the μOR, overexpression of GRK2 results in neither the .
The r-K continuum and the relative effectiveness of sexual selection

It is well established that genetic correlations between multiplicative fitness components determine the response to countervailing selection pressures such that for many traits a balance is struck between the opposing forces of natural and sexual selection. The proportion of variance in lifetime reproductive success contributed by variation in sexually selected traits is inversely proportional to the rate of juvenile mortality. Thus, extreme expression of sexually selected traits, is more likely in K-tan in r-selected species. Sexual dimorphism in size is consistent with this prediction; males are larger in K-selected species, representing response to sexual selection, while females are larger in r-selected species, representing response to natural selection for fecundity enhancement
Recognition Incentives for Internal Crowdsourcing: A Field Experiment at NASA

Incentivizing employees to engage with novel innovation mechanisms and contribute to collective problem-solving can be difficult. We run a field experiment with NASA (N=11,192) to study two widely used classes of non-financial incentives: recognition (of managers, peers, online platform participants), and the prospect of advancing the organizational mission. Our analysis shows that managerial recognition has a significant positive effect on employees’ engagement with the problem-solving platform. The other incentives are not found to be effective. A follow-up interview study suggests that (1) managerial recognition works through signaling the platform’s legitimacy in a context of uncertainty, as well as through offering managerial attention and appreciation; (2) recognition interacts with workers’ job proximity to the organization’s mission and can be particularly motivating for workers with distant job functions; (3) organizations where the appeal of the organizational mission is already strong may face difficulties in using the mission as an instrumental incentive.