Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
E-Marketing Products and Financial Inclusion in Nigeria

Financial inclusion have been identified by both developed and developing economies as one major means of boosting economic development. Majorly it has been seen as one means of acquiring and distributing capital. Yet, part of this capital in Nigeria has been seen to lie in the hands of the rural poor who as a consequence could not also access capital from the formal financial sector of the economy. They have seen no need to patronize the formal financial service providers. This has kept this portion of the Nigerian population financially excluded. Therefore, this paper explored the nature and trend of financial services in Nigeria; identified the benefits of financial inclusion in Nigeria; and enumerated the challenges to financial inclusion in Nigeria to include illiteracy and lack of awareness, Bank crisis, inflation and political instability. It further explored the roles of e-marketing in surmounting these challenges. It discovered that e-marketing products are yet to be fully appreciated in Nigeria, but when it is appreciated, it will to a very large extent encourage financial inclusion in Nigeria. It is on that note that recommendations were made.
Enabling open domain information exploitation for disaster management

This work proposes an efficient method for the data pre-processing step of the information cycle. The method considers the open domain news feeds as data source. We try to handle the issue of open domain news data becoming unmanageably huge by designing a hybrid schema. The schema consists of two fold processing. One sifting and other filtering, both at logical levels. The data feeds are subjected to selection of the relevant data using DOM parser as first step. Subsequently the captured data size is reduced by filtering the irrelevant text from the HTML page using HTML parser. After the proposed pre-processing we get highly relevant data which in turn can enhances the effectiveness of the various post processing algorithms. Disaster management is taken as an application scenario. While designing the pre-processing method, the operational constraints of disaster management were considered, which we try to address. The results of the experiments shows significant data size reduction while keeping the relevant details intact.
Carbamazepine and phenytoin induced Stevens‐Johnson syndrome is associated with HLA‐B*1502 allele in Thai population

Purpose: Previous studies found a strong association between HLA‐B*1502 and carbamazepine (CBZ)‐induced Stevens‐Johnson syndrome (SJS) in Han Chinese, but not in Caucasian populations. Even in Han Chinese, the HLA‐B*1502 was not associated with CBZ‐induced maculopapular eruptions (MPE). This study seeks to identify whether HLA‐B*1502 is associated with CBZ‐ or phenytoin (PHT)‐induced SJS or MPE in a Thai population.
Investigating the effects of polymer chemistry on activity of biocatalytic plastic materials.

The affects of polymer chemistry on the organic solvent activity of alpha-chymotrypsin-containing biocatalytic plastic materials are investigated in this study. To incorporate alpha-chymotrypsin into the polymer, the enzyme is first acryloylated, then solubilized into organic solvents via hydrophobic ion paring with surfactant molecules. Once in the organic solvent, a vinyl monomer and crosslinker are added and copolymerized with the enzyme. Due to the intimate contact between the enzyme and the resulting polymer network, the polymer chemistry plays an important role in the activity of these biocatalytic materials. The chemical composition of the monomer/polymer has the greatest effect on catalytic activity. The activity spans a range of 100-fold and appears to correlate with the hydrophilicity of the monomer, with the lowest activity exhibited for poly(methyl methacrylate) and the highest for poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The effect of the chemical structure of the monomer/polymer appears to be an intrinsic kinetic effect, whereas other polymer chemistry conditions investigated, including crosslinker concentration and length and ratio of solvent:monomer during synthesis, appear to effect the rate of substrate diffusion, thereby affecting observed enzyme activity. Changes in the conditions of polymer synthesis can cause as much as a 20-fold change in activity for a given polymeric material. This is most likely due to an increase in the porosity of the materials, and thus a relaxation of diffusional limitations.
Increasing hematopoietic microchimerism is a reliable indicator of incipient AML relapse

Introduction: The reoccurrence or increase in autologous hematopoiesis after allogeneic transplantation has been linked to incipient leukemia relapse. However, the importance of such an emergency regarding microchimerism (i.e. mixed chimerism below 1% of autologous cells) still remains controversial, as fluctuating microchimerism can be observed for a very long time after transplantation.
Microfinance, the Role and Impact on Macroeconomic Indicators of the Country. Case study: Albania

Abstract Microcredit or microfinance are one of the most important novelties on development policy in the last 25 years. Most of the recent studies are based on the impact that microfinance has on poverty reduction or on the income on macroeconomic level. Due to lack of data on microfinance on a macro level, studies of their impact on poverty are limited. However, they have recently analysed the link between microeconomics and microfinance activity, which has shown significant connectivity between the operations of Micro Financial Institutions and Macroeconomic indicators.Microfinance in Albania has developed and this is demonstrated by the presence of Micro Financial Institutions which have contributed to poverty reduction and to economic development in general, and to agricultural development in particular. The purpose of the study is to analyse the importance and the relationship between microfinance and macroeconomic indicators, the impact that microfinance has on macroeconomic indicators. Based on previous literature researchers and empirical studies, this study aims to analyse empirically the relationship between the gross portofolio of MFIs and macroeconomic factors. Specifically, to analyse whether a country with high level of credit portfolio provided by Micro Financial Institutions has low poverty and macroeconomic factors taken into analysis, considering the endogeneity of the gross portfolio of Micro Fianancial Institutions. The empirical evaluation and analysis is carried out through econometric evaluation using the EViews program.
Stability Analysis of Switched Positive Systems: A Switched Linear Copositive Lyapunov Function Method

This brief addresses the stability problem of discrete-time switched positive systems. The main contribution lies in two aspects. First, a novel method [the switched linear copositive Lyapunov function (SLCLF)] is proposed to reduce the conservatism of the stability criterion obtained by means of the common linear copositive Lyapunov function. Second, some necessary and sufficient conditions are established for the existence of the switched linear copositive Lyapunov function, assuming that a switched linear positive system is given. A numerical example shows the advantage of the obtained results.
The pattern of coping in persons with spinal cord injuries

Purpose : To examine the modes of coping and adjustment of persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in Hong Kong. Method : A cross-sectional design was adopted. Structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews on 66 persons with SCI were completed. Cluster analysis was performed to identify persons with SCI who are at risk for psychosocial morbidity. Results/Conclusion : The group at risk for developing psychological difficulties is characterized by high scores on external locus of control, inadequate coping modes, and low perceived social support. High levels of depression, social role dissatisfaction, care-giving burden, low levels of life satisfaction, and marital maladjustment are commonly noted. Rehabilitation of persons with SCI should also aim at promoting perceived personal control, acceptance of physical status, and realistic appraisal of stressful situations to facilitate better adjustment and coping with commonly identified stresses and difficulties. Counselling should be initiated at an early stage to reduce the development of distorted perceptions so that the needs and concerns of individuals with SCI may be better met and resolved. The frustrations due to unmet expectations may be prevented at an early stage through build-up of more realistic understandings related to the illness and living with the illness.
Bottom-feed on-chip waveguide slot antenna for THz applications

A novel bottom-feed on-chip waveguide slot antenna is proposed for THz applications. The slot antenna is realized using an on-chip waveguide cavity whose top and bottom plates are realized using consists of metal-6 (M6) and metal-2 (M2) layers, respectively, and the sidewall is implemented using an array of vias from M2 to M6. Instead of the traditional feeding of microstrip/CPW on the sides, this antenna is fed from the bottom, which is more area-efficient and can avoid parasitic radiation from the feed line. The on-chip SIW cavity prevents radiation into the lossy substrate and thus improves the radiation of the slot antenna. The simulated gain is 3 dBi, and the radiation efficiency is around 33% at 450GHz. The total area of this antenna is only 330 × 290 μm2.
Anthrax toxin: structures, functions and tumour targeting

Anthrax toxin, the major virulence factor of Bacillus anthracis, consists of three polypeptides: protective antigen (PrAg), lethal factor (LF) and oedema factor (EF). To intoxicate mammalian cells, PrAg binds to its cellular receptors and is subsequently activated via proteolysis, yielding a carboxyl-terminal fragment which coordinately assembles to form heptamers that bind and translocate LF and EF into the cytosol to exert their cytotoxic effects. Substantial progress has been made in recent years towards the characterisation of the structure and function of anthrax toxin, and this has greatly facilitated rational drug design of antianthrax agents. There is also emerging evidence that toxins can be manipulated for cancer therapy. LF can efficiently inactivate several mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MAPKKs) via cleavage of their amino-terminal sequences. Consequently, antitumour effects of wild type lethal toxin were observed after treatment of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent tumours such as human melanomas. Modification of the toxin’s proteolytic activation site limits its cytotoxicity to certain cell types and creates a versatile method of treatment. One approach that has successfully achieved specific tumour targeting is the alteration of the furin cleavage of PrAg so that it is not activated by furin, but, alternatively, by proteases that are highly expressed by tumour tissues, including matrix metalloproteases and urokinase.
A Consecutive Series of Treated Affected Offspring of Parents with Bipolar Disorder: Is Response Associated with the Clinical Profile?

Objective: In adults with established bipolar disorder (BD), differential response to mood stabilizers has been associated with the clinical profile. Long-term treatment studies of youth with BD are lacking. This paper provides longitudinal observations of response to mood stabilizers early in the course of illness in youth with BD. Method: We report on 15 research patients who, as adolescents, met DSM-IV lifetime criteria for a bipolar spectrum disorder and required long-term treatment. These youths derived from families with one parent having BD whose course and long-term treatment response were determined in accordance with research criteria. The patients were offered lithium, and if they failed to respond or refused it, they were treated with either an anticonvulsant or an atypical antipsychotic. Using a validated scale, an independent rater retrospectively blindly scored the response to long-term treatment. Results: Those patients who stabilized on lithium derived from lithium-responsive families, whereas those who stabilized on an antipsychotic derived from lithium-nonresponsive families. The clinical course in the youths stabilized by lithium differed from that in the youths stabilized by an atypical antipsychotic. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the clinical profile may help in selecting effective stabilizing treatment and that a proportion of youth can be stabilized on monotherapy. This is a small case series with nonrandom treatment assignment, and the findings should be considered tentative.
Time-series modeling of returns from the NSE 20-share index: An empirical study of the impact of political climate on market volatility

A time series analysis of the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) 20-Share index from January 1998 to March 2007 is provided. A comparison of the daily rates of return and volatilities for periods immediately preceding and following election years (2002-2003) and periods prior to and after this electoral season (1998-2001 and 2004-2006). Volatility, as measured by the absolute change in the rate of return, has positive serially correlations in the markets as expected. This paper also tests whether the efficient market hypothesis (EMH) hold in the case of the NSE 20 share index. The results indicate that this hypothesis is not satisfied as in this paper both the ARIMA(1,1,1) and the GARCH(1,1) models are fit to the data. The random walk process that holds under the EMH does not hold for this data. Prediction for the NSE index for a range of periods is given.
How Does Tobacco Smoke Affect Fetal Growth Potential in the First Trimester of Pregnancy as Measured by Volume Parameters of the Fetus, Trophoblast, and Gestational Sac?

We aimed to assess if tobacco smoke, as measured by the serum concentration of cotinine and blood concentration of cadmium, influences the fetal, sac, and trophoblast volume in the first trimester of pregnancy. We enrolled women in weeks 11 to 14 of pregnancy: 35 smokers, 24 passive smokers, and 98 nonsmoking healthy women. We found that the fetus volume was similar in all groups (18.70 ± 6.29, 17.11 ± 5.4, 18.97 ± 7.55 cm3). The trophoblast was significantly smallest in smokers (50.27 ± 19.56, 56.71 ± 23.50, 61.95 ± 22.94 cm3). The trophoblast volume was correlated with cotinine and cadmium concentration (r = −0.54, r = −0.44). In passive smokers, gestational sac and trophoblast volume grew systematically and were correlated with the mean parental height. In smokers, only the gestational sac grew systematically and was correlated with the mean parental height. The fetus volume was independent of mean parental height and intensity of exposure to tobacco smoke. Volumetric changes of the fetus, trophoblast, and sac may be observed in the first trimester; however, their consequences require further research.
In Vitro Model to Study Chondrogenic Differentiation in Tendinopathy

Background Treatment of midportion Achilles tendinopathy is hampered by limited knowledge of the pathophysiology. Hypothesis Chondrogenic differentiation of tendon cells might take place in midportion Achilles tendinopathy and could be used as a target for drug treatment. An in vitro model for chondrogenic differentiation would be useful to evaluate existing and future treatment opportunities. Study Design Descriptive and controlled laboratory study. Methods Perioperatively harvested tissue from human midportion Achilles tendinotic lesions and healthy Achilles tendons was analyzed by microscopy and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In vitro chondrogenic differentiation of tendon explants was induced using transforming-growth-factor beta. This model was modulated by removing the chondrogenic stimulus or adding triamcinolone or platelet-rich plasma. Results Midportion Achilles tendinotic lesions had increased glycosaminoglycan staining and more rounded cell nuclei. Chondrogenic markers (sex-determining region Y)–box9, aggrecan, collagen 2, and RUNT-related transcription factor 2 were upregulated, but collagen 10 was not. Nondegenerative tendon explants cultured on chondrogenic medium had higher expression of aggrecan, collagen 2, and collagen 10 but not (sex-determining region Y)–box9 and RUNT-related transcription factor 2. Removing the chondrogenic stimulus decreased expression of aggrecan, collagen 2, and collagen 10. Both triamcinolone and platelet-rich plasma influenced the chondrogenic gene expression pattern in the in vitro model. Conclusion Chondrogenic differentiation is present in midportion Achilles tendinopathy. An in vitro model to study this chondrogenic differentiation was developed. Clinical Relevance This model can be used to investigate chondrogenic differentiation as a possible target for drug treatment, contributing to the development of more successful mechanism-based treatment opportunities.
Drosophila morphogenesis: Tissue force laws and the modeling of dorsal closure

Dorsal closure, a stage of Drosophila development, is a model system for cell sheet morphogenesis and wound healing. During closure, two flanks of epidermal tissue progressively advance to reduce the area of the eye‐shaped opening in the dorsal surface, which contains amnioserosa tissue. To simulate the time evolution of the overall shape of the dorsal opening, we developed a mathematical model, in which contractility and elasticity are manifest in model force‐producing elements that satisfy force‐velocity relationships similar to muscle. The action of the elements is consistent with the force‐producing behavior of actin and myosin in cells. The parameters that characterize the simulated embryos were optimized by reference to experimental observations on wild‐type embryos and, to a lesser extent, on embryos whose amnioserosa was removed by laser surgery and on myospheroid mutant embryos. Simulations failed to reproduce the amnioserosa‐removal protocol in either the elastic or the contractile limit, indicating that both elastic and contractile dynamics are essential components of the biological force‐producing elements. We found it was necessary to actively upregulate forces to recapitulate both the double and single‐canthus nick protocols, which did not participate in the optimization of parameters, suggesting the existence of additional key feedback mechanisms.
Distribution and remobilization of iron and copper in wheat.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The amount of iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) that is loaded into grains of wheat (Triticum aestivum) depends on both the amount of nutrient taken up by the plant post-anthesis and the amount that is remobilized from vegetative organs as they senesce. Previous reports have shown that these two micronutrients behave quite differently in wheat in that Cu is readily remobilized to the grain whilst Fe shows poor remobilization. The object was to quantify the distribution of Fe and Cu in wheat and to show how this distribution changes from anthesis to grain maturity. METHODS The uptake and distribution of both Fe and Cu were investigated in wheat grown at two levels, adequate and low, of both micronutrients. Plants were grown in sand culture and the main culms were harvested at anthesis, 18 days post-anthesis and at maturity. Plants were separated into various organs and analysed for Fe and Cu using ICP-OES. KEY RESULTS There was good remobilization of Fe from the rest of the shoot to the grain with 77 % of the total shoot Fe in the grain at maturity. In the adequate-Cu treatment there was 62 % of the total plant Cu in the grain at maturity, whereas in the low-Cu treatment this was only 40 %. There was no net Fe taken up into the above-ground plant parts post-anthesis whilst for Cu there was. The remobilization evident for Fe and Cu was greater than that found for zinc and much greater than evident for manganese in the same material. CONCLUSIONS The results reported here represent good evidence for the high reproductive mobility of both Fe and Cu in wheat.
INCIDENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF CHROMOSOME MOSAICISM INVOLVING AN AUTOSOMAL STRUCTURAL ABNORMALITY DIAGNOSED PRENATALLY THROUGH AMNIOCENTESIS: A COLLABORATIVE STUDY

Among 179 663 prenatal diagnosis cases collected from ten institutions and two publications, 555 (0·3 per cent) were diagnosed as having chromosome mosaicism. Of these, 57 (10·3 per cent) were mosaic for an autosomal structural abnormality, 28 (5 per cent) for a sex chromosome structural abnormality, and 85 (15·3 per cent) were mosaic for a marker chromosome. Ninety‐five cases of prenatally diagnosed mosaicism with a structural abnormality in an autosome and a normal cell line, and with a known phenotypic outcome, were collected for karyotype–phenotype correlations through our collaboration (40 cases), a prior survey (26 cases), and published reports (29 cases). They included 13 balanced reciprocal translocations, one unbalanced reciprocal translocation, four balanced Robertsonian translocations, four unbalanced Robertsonian translocations, four inversions, 17 deletions, three ring chromosomes, 19 i(20q), seven +i(12p), six other isochromosomes, and 17 partial trisomies resulting from a duplication or other rearrangement. All cases mosaic for a balanced structural rearrangement resulted in a normal phenotype. All cases of 46/46,i(20q) resulted in normal liveborns. Five of seven cases with 46/47,+i(12p) had an abnormal phenotype compatible with Killian–Pallister syndrome. The overall risk for an abnormal outcome for a mosaic case with an unbalanced structural abnormality, excluding 46/46,i(20q) and 46/47,+i(12p), is 40·4 per cent. In the same category, the study also suggested a correlation between the percentage of abnormal cells and an abnormal phenotype. For mosaicism involving a terminal deletion, the possibility of a familial fragile site should be considered.
Impact of Gender Inequality on Economic Growth

The main purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the theoretical and the impact of gender inequality on economic growth in middle-income selected countries. The results by using the generalized method of moments (GMM) to estimate the middle income selected countries for 1991-2011 period show that the gross enrollment rate in secondary education for women and men as well as men’s life expectancy has omitted significant positive impact on economic growth in the middle income selected countries.
Skp2B Stimulates Mammary Gland Development by Inhibiting REA, the Repressor of the Estrogen Receptor

ABSTRACT Skp2B, an F-box protein of unknown function, is frequently overexpressed in breast cancer. In order to determine the function of Skp2B and whether it has a role in breast cancer, we performed a two-hybrid screen and established transgenic mice expressing Skp2B in the mammary glands. We found that Skp2B interacts with the repressor of estrogen receptor activity (REA) and that overexpression of Skp2B leads to a reduction in REA levels. In the mammary glands of MMTV-Skp2B mice, REA levels are also low. Our results show that in virgin transgenic females, Skp2B induces lobuloalveolar development and differentiation of the mammary glands normally observed during pregnancy. As this phenotype is identical to what was observed for REA heterozygote mice, our observations suggest that the Skp2B-REA interaction is physiologically relevant. However, in contrast to REA+/− mice, MMTV-Skp2B mice develop mammary tumors, suggesting that Skp2B affects additional proteins. These results indicate that the observed expression of Skp2B in breast cancer does contribute to tumorigenesis at least in part by modulating the activity of the estrogen receptor.