Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
“This One Is 400 Libyan Dinars, This One Is 500”: Insights from Cognitive Human Capital and Slave Trade

ABSTRACT One of the most disturbing contemporary episodes in human history that has been decried globally is the recent Libyan experience of slave trade, where migrants captured end-up being sold as slaves. We contribute to the understanding of this phenomenon by investigating the role of cognitive human capital on slave trade. To this end, we use the historic intelligence and slave trade variables, respectively, as the independent and outcome variables of interest. Our findings show a negative relationship between slave trade and cognitive human capital. Hence, the slave trade is more apparent when cognitive human capital is low. The Ordinary Least Squares findings are robust to the control for outliers, uncertainty about the model and Tobit regressions. We substantiate why from the perspective of massive sensitization and education, the non-contemporary relationship between cognitive ability and slave trade established in this study has contemporary practical policy relevance in efforts to stem the tide of clandestine travel to Europe through countries in which clandestine migrants are captured and sold as slaves.
Dear Developers, your Expertise in One Place

Software engineers are using a variety of social platforms, where they participate in open source software projects and respond to other developers that ask for help on specific issues. This presence of developers in different platforms is a mirror of their hands-on experience and expertise in different technologies and programming languages and a useful source of information for their own use but also for potential employers. In this work, we present our approach, Expertise Analyzer, that gathers diverse user-relevant activities in one location. Our approach introduces a number of metrics that summarize the experience and expertise of software engineers and can prove useful for giving a merged view of all developer interactions.
Identification of opdA, a Gene Involved in Biodegradation of the Endocrine Disrupter Octylphenol

ABSTRACT Octylphenol (OP) is an estrogenic detergent breakdown product. Structurally similar nonylphenols are transformed via type II ispo substitution, resulting in the production of hydroquinone and removal of the branched side chain. Nothing is known, however, about the gene(s) encoding this activity. We report here on our efforts to clone the gene(s) encoding OP degradation activity from Sphingomonas sp. strain PWE1, which we isolated for its ability to grow on OP. A fosmid library of PWE1 DNA yielded a single clone, aew4H12, which accumulated a brown polymerization product in the presence of OP. Sequence analysis of loss-of-function transposon mutants of aew4H12 revealed a single open reading frame, opdA, that conferred OP degradation activity. Escherichia coli subclones expressing opdA caused OP disappearance, with the concomitant production of hydroquinone and 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene as well as small amounts of 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol. These metabolites are consistent with a type II ipso substitution reaction, the same mechanism described for nonylphenol biodegradation in other sphingomonads. Based on opdA's sequence homology to a unique group of putative flavin monooxygenases and the recovery of hydroxylated OP intermediates from E. coli expressing opdA, we conclude that this gene encodes the observed type II ipso substitution activity responsible for the initial step in OP biodegradation.
Efficiency of Foreign Exchange Markets in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Presence of Structural Break: A Linear and Non-Linear Testing Approach

This study examines the efficiency of foreign exchange (forex) market of 10 selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa in the presence of structural break. It uses data on the average official exchange rate of currencies of the selected countries to the US dollar from November 1995 to October 2015. This study employs Perron unit root test with structural break to endogenously determine the break period in the forex markets. It also employs the Kim wild bootstrap variance ratio test and BDS independence test to detect linear and nonlinear dependence in forex market returns respectively. In the full sample period, the Kim wild bootstrap joint variance ratio test shows that only two forex markets are efficient while the BDS independence test reports that all the forex markets are not efficient. The subsample period analysis indicates that the efficiency of the majority of the forex markets is sensitive to structural break, thus providing evidence in support of the adaptive market hypothesis. This study suggests that ignoring structural break and nonlinearity of returns may lead to misleading results when testing for market efficiency.
Nondestructive Inspection System for Special Nuclear Material Using Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Fusion Neutrons and Laser Compton Scattering Gamma-Rays

A Neutron/Gamma-ray combined inspection system for hidden special nuclear materials (SNMs) in cargo containers has been developed under a program of Japan Science and Technology Agency in Japan. This inspection system consists of an active neutron-detection system for fast screening and a laser Compton backscattering gamma-ray source in coupling with nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) method for precise inspection. The inertial electrostatic confinement fusion device has been adopted as a neutron source and two neutron-detection methods, delayed neutron noise analysis method and high-energy neutron-detection method, have been developed to realize the fast screening system. The prototype system has been constructed and tested in the Reactor Research Institute, Kyoto University. For the generation of the laser Compton backscattering gamma-ray beam, a race track microtron accelerator has been used to reduce the size of the system. For the NRF measurement, an array of LaBr3(Ce) scintillation detectors has been adopted to realize a low-cost detection system. The prototype of the gamma-ray system has been demonstrated in the Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology. By using numerical simulations based on the data taken from these prototype systems and the inspection-flow, the system designed by this program can detect 1 kg of highly enriched 235U (HEU) hidden in an empty 20-ft container within several minutes.
Molecular Typing of Treponema pallidum: a 5-Year Surveillance in Shanghai, China

ABSTRACT Previously, a small study showed that 14f was the predominant subtype of Treponema pallidum in Shanghai, China. The result was quite different from the genotype distribution in other areas of China. This study aimed to identify the strain types of Treponema pallidum in samples collected over a 5-year period in Shanghai. From 2007 to 2011, genital swabs were collected from patients with syphilis from the Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital. Positive specimens were typed by the enhanced typing method by adding a tp0548 gene to the existing arp and tpr genotype system. In total, 304 of the 372 enrolled patients yielded fully typeable DNA. Ten arp types (4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 19), 3 tpr types (a, d, and o), and 5 tp0548 types (a, c, f, g, and i) were identified. In total, 12 subtypes were identified with a combination of the arp and tpr genes. Subtype 14d was found in 270 samples (88.8%). When the combination included the tp0548 gene, the 12 CDC subtypes identified were divided into 14 strain types. The predominant type was 14d/f (88.8%), followed by 15d/f (3.6%), 13d/f (1.3%), and 19d/c (1.3%). Two of the 44 14d/f-infected patients and both of the 19d/c-infected patients who underwent a lumbar puncture were diagnosed with neurosyphilis. This study showed that the predominant type in Shanghai was 14d/f. While this is in keeping with data from other areas in China, it is different from an earlier report showing that 14f is the most common genotype in Shanghai. Further studies are needed to better understand the association between strain types and neurosyphilis.
An investigation into the Libyan Government policies relevant to financial resource allocation for public universities : an exploratory study

Higher education plays an important role in economic growth, job creation and export performance. It also has implications for research and knowledge creation. However, there is a notable lack of studies conducted in MENA, and other Arab countries. In particular, there is a dearth of research in the context of Libya, which has been witnessed the massive transformation that in terms of its political, economic, and institutional environment; and, there is a need to explore and understand the current applied system of higher education funding. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the Libyan government’s policies for the provision of funding to higher education. In addition, this study investigates and explores the obstacles and challenges experienced by the higher education sector in recent years. Furthermore, the study identifies the government policies, institutions and other factors influencing the decisions regarding the financial allocations to public universities. This study adopts a qualitative approach to collect data using semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The data was analysed using the thematic analysis technique following the length guidelines of Braun and Clarke (2006). The findings suggest that the operations of Libyan public universities are not only contingent upon government funding but also on the exploitation of universities’ resources. Besides, the findings reveal that there are certain factors behind the low levels of universities’ resources, such as legislation, government restrictions, lack of government encouragement and seriousness for universities to improve their income. The study also identifies various motivational factors behind government funding decisions. Furthermore, the findings confirm that, for universities and government agencies alike, economic (that is, resources available, government priorities, and instability of economic and political status in Libya), social (tribal as well as personal influence) and political factors (i.e., political clout, government and legislations restrictions) influence the distribution of resources.
Comparison of gene expression in post-smolt Atlantic salmon challenged by LF-89-like and EM-90-like Piscirickettsia salmonis isolates reveals differences in the immune response associated with pathogenicity.

Piscirickettsiosis is the main bacterial disease affecting the Chilean salmon farming industry and is responsible for high economic losses. The aim of this study was to describe and comparatively quantify the immune response of post-smolt Atlantic salmon infected by cohabitation with fish bearing LF-89-like and EM-90-like Piscirickettsia salmonis. The expression of 17 genes related to the immune response was studied in head kidney from cohabitant fish by RT-qPCR. Our results at the transcriptomic level suggest that P. salmonis is able to manipulate the kinetics of cytokine production in a way that might constitute a virulence mechanism that promotes intracellular bacterial replication in cells of Atlantic salmon. This strategy involves the creation of an ideal environment for the microorganism based on induction of the inflammatory and IFN-mediated response, modulation of Th1 polarization, reduced antigen processing and presentation, modulation of the evasion of the immune response mediated by CD8+ T cells and promotion of the CD4+ T-cell response during the late stage of infection as a mechanism to escape host defences. This response was significantly exacerbated in fish infected by PS-EM-90 compared with fish infected by PS-LF-89, a finding that is probably associated with the higher pathogenicity of PS-EM-90.
Phase II study of paclitaxel in patients with recurrent malignant glioma.

PURPOSE To assess the efficacy and toxicity of paclitaxel administered as a 3-hour infusion to patients with recurrent malignant glioma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Adult patients with recurrent malignant glioma following radiation therapy, who had received no more than one prior chemotherapy regimen and who had a Karnofsky performance status (KPS) > or = 60, were treated with a 3-hour infusion of paclitaxel every 3 weeks. The initial dose was 210 mg/m2; dose escalation to 240 mg/m2 was allowed. Tumor response was assessed at 6-week intervals using radiographic and clinical criteria. Treatment was continued until documented tumor progression or a total of 12 paclitaxel infusions. RESULTS Of 41 eligible patients, all were assessable for treatment toxicity and 40 (98%) were assessable for response. The response rate (disease stabilization or better) was 35%. Twenty-nine patients (71%) underwent dose escalation to 240 mg/m2 without the use of growth factors. Toxicities included alopecia (98%), nausea (22%), arthralgias (32%), CNS toxicity (24%), peripheral neuropathy (15%), cardiac toxicity (7%), and myelosuppression (10% grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity). No patient developed febrile neutropenia. There was one allergic reaction (2%). CONCLUSION Paclitaxel is well tolerated at this dose schedule in patients with recurrent malignant glioma, and affords a modest response rate. Because minimal myelotoxicity was encountered in our patients, a dose-escalating phase I/II study of paclitaxel is planned to determine the maximal-tolerated dose (MTD).
The natural history of internalizing behaviours from adolescence to emerging adulthood: findings from the Australian Temperament Project

Background The aims of the study were to describe the patterning and persistence of anxiety and depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood and to examine long-term developmental relationships with earlier patterns of internalizing behaviours in childhood. Method We used parallel processes latent growth curve modelling to build trajectories of internalizing from adolescence to adulthood, using seven waves of follow-ups (ages 11–27 years) from 1406 participants of the Australian Temperament Project. We then used latent factors to capture the stability of maternal reported child internalizing symptoms across three waves of early childhood follow-ups (ages 5, 7 and 9 years), and examined relationships among these patterns of symptoms across the three developmental periods, adjusting for gender and socio-economic status. Results We observed strong continuity in depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood. In contrast, adolescent anxiety was not persistent across the same period, nor was it related to later depressive symptoms. Anxiety was, however, related to non-specific stress in young adulthood, but only moderately so. Although childhood internalizing was related to adolescent and adult profiles, the associations were weak and indirect by adulthood, suggesting that other factors are important in the development of internalizing symptoms. Conclusions Once established, adolescent depressive symptoms are not only strongly persistent, but also have the potential to differentiate into anxiety in young adulthood. Relationships with childhood internalizing symptoms are weak, suggesting that early adolescence may be an important period for targeted intervention, but also that further research into the childhood origins of internalizing behaviours is needed.
QRVE: QoS-aware routing and energy-efficient VM Placement for Software-Defined DataCenter Networks

today's cloud computing Data Centers (DCs) contain tens of thousands of servers with highly significant and remarkable bandwidth requirements as the demands of cloud computing applications, social applications, multimedia contents, and data intensive analysis are dramatically rising. Even thus, current DC technologies have following problems. First, power consumption of a Data Center Network (DCN) are constant irrespective of the use of network resources. Second, violation of the users' SLA according to a static routing technique, a few links in the DCNs are experiencing congestion while other majority links are being underutilized. Third, VM placement and VM problems are essential in datacenter because current server hardware capacities are more than the requirements of the demands from users. To overcome these limitations of the current DCNs, we proposed a distributed Software Defined Networking (SDN) -based mechanism, which consists of energy efficient VM placement and QoS Aware routing with elephant flow detection scheme. our mechanism reduces power consumption of the DCN by turning off/on links, switches and servers. To satisfy user experienced in terms of users' QoS and decreased network congestion, QRVE distributes traffics using traffic aware multipath routing scheme which recognizes elephant flows at the edge layer (Access Layer) across DCN.
Board committees and performance in microfinance institutions: Evidence from Ethiopia

The purpose of this paper is to empirically relate subordinate board structures with improved financial and social performance in microfinance institutions (MFIs). ,The research question is analyzed using a panel data from 23 MFIs in Ethiopia over a period of 2006-2011. Random effects panel data estimation is applied to analyze the link between board committees and MFI’s performance. ,In MFIs with larger than average boards, the findings demonstrate significant ties between ﬁnancial and outreach performance and how their boards are structured. The structure of board committees moderates the relation between board size and financial and outreach performance measures. Importantly, board committee benefits MFIs through better operational self-sufficiency, lower operating expenses, greater outreach to customers, and outreach to poorer customers using average loan size as the proxy. ,Practitioners within microfinance sector, and those operating in advisory and regulatory roles to the sector could benefit from the argument advanced in the paper in that normative recommendation to restructure boards or establish committees requires reevaluating the board characteristics vis-a-vis the optimal monitoring, controlling, and advising needs of the institution. ,Prior literature focuses on who sits on boards, how large are the boards, and how independent are they. This paper advances the understanding of the structure of board committees and how this may affect the performance of MFI. This approach provides better representation of director’s role and is thereby a good test of board effectiveness.
Body mass index, physical activity, and colorectal cancer by anatomical subsites: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Several studies report varying incidence rates of cancer in subsites of the colorectum, as an increasing proportion appears to develop in the proximal colon. Varying incidence trends together with biological differences between the colorectal segments raise questions of whether lifestyle factors impact on the risk of cancer differently at colorectal subsites. We provide an updated overview of the risk of cancer at different colorectal subsites (proximal colon, distal colon, and rectum) according to BMI and physical activity to shed light on this issue. Cohort studies of colorectal cancer, published in English throughout 2010, were identified using PubMed. The risk estimates from 30 eligible studies were summarized for BMI and physical activity. A positive relationship was found between BMI and cancer for all colorectal subsites, but most pronounced for the distal colon [relative risk (RR) 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34–1.89]. For the proximal colon and rectum, the risk estimates were 1.24 (95% CI 1.08–1.42) and 1.23 (95% CI 1.02–1.48), respectively. Physical activity was related inversely to the risk of cancer at the proximal (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.70-0.83) and distal colon (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.71–0.83). Such a relationship could not be established for the rectum (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.88–1.08). In conclusion, the results suggest minor differences in the associations of BMI and the risk of cancer between the colorectal subsites. For physical activity, the association does not seem to differ between the colonic subsites, but a difference was observed between the colon and the rectum, perhaps indicating that different mechanisms are operating in the development of colon and rectal cancer.
Phenotype analysis impacts testing strategy in patients with Currarino syndrome

Currarino syndrome (OMIM 175450) presents with sacral, anorectal, and intraspinal anomalies and presacral meningocele or teratoma. Autosomal dominant loss‐of‐function mutations in the MNX1 gene cause nearly all familial and 30% of sporadic cases. Less frequently, a complex phenotype of Currarino syndrome can be caused by microdeletions of 7q containing MNX1. Here, we report one familial and three sporadic cases of Currarino syndrome. To determine the most efficient genetic testing approach for these patients, we have compared results from MNX1 sequencing, chromosomal microarray, and performed a literature search with analysis of genotype–phenotype correlation. Based on the relationship between the type of mutation (intragenic MNX1 mutations vs 7q microdeletion) and the presence of intellectual disability, growth retardation, facial dysmorphism, and associated malformations, we propose a testing algorithm. Patients with the classic Currarino triad of malformations but normal growth, intellect, and facial appearance should have MNX1 sequencing first, and only in the event of a normal result should the clinician proceed with chromosomal microarray testing. In contrast, if growth delay and/or facial dysmorphy and/or intellectual disability are present, chromosomal microarray should be the first method of choice for genetic testing.
The anatomy and function of the anterior cruciate ligament. As determined by clinical and morphological studies.

In a biomechanical and morphological study of cadaver knees and a clinical end-result study of fifty patients with tears of the anterior cruciate ligament, the structure and function of the ligament, the mechanism of injury, and the results of various forms of therapy were analyzed. It was concluded that tension of the anterior cruciate ligament varies during knee motion, being least at from 40 to 50 degrees of flexion; that there are adequate intraligamentous blood vessels and nerves for healing to occur; that isolated tears of the anterior cruciate ligament do occur (probably as the result of internal-rotation displacement of the tibia with respect to the femur); that such tears are frequently associated with meniscal tears; and that early results of operative or non-operative treatment of the anterior cruciate ligament are acceptable although late instability may occur.
Duration Models for Credit Rating Migration: Evidence from the Financial Crisis

We introduce a specific duration model to analyze the prediction of the credit rating migration. We consider hazard rate processes based on multi‐state autoregressive conditional duration models. To take account of the economic context, we model the conditional mean of the duration between two ratings by means of a latent process. To this purpose, a dynamic‐ordered probit model is developed to describe the directions taken by the ratings in the presence of multiple states. As an illustration, we study the migration of credit rating during periods before and after the financial crisis. (JEL C14, C41, G24)