Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Marketing Organic and Conventional Potatoes in Germany

We apply a bivariate probit model and cluster analysis to German household survey data to evaluate factors influencing consumption of conventional and organic potatoes. Results show there is a positive but insignificant correlation between the consumption of conventional and organic potatoes and consumers associate organic potatoes with healthy ingredients, trusted origin, and food safety. Furthermore, consumers' sociodemographics such as education and children in households affect their choice of potatoes. Cluster analysis results group potato consumers into the market segments “Industry trusting,” “Healthy diet oriented,” and “Price oriented. ” These results suggest an adoption of different marketing strategies to promote fresh potatoes to the different market segments.
Money Demand Stability and Currency Substitution in Six European Countries (1980-1992)

This paper discusses the main potential sources of instability of money demand in Europe originating from institutional changes in the financial system and currency substitution. Money demand equations might appear unstable if the dynamic specifications are too rigid. This can largely be overcome by using error-correction models. Once this model is applied, money demand in the countries reviewed is reasonably stable and economically well behaved. Estimations show that currency substitution is an important feature of financial behaviour in Europe. It supports the proposition that an EC-wide money stock would possess stability properties superior to individual countries' money demand.
Asynchronous Distributed Joint Optimization in Wireless Multi-Hop Networks

In this work, we resolve a cross-layer distributed optimization problem in wireless multi-hop networks that can jointly maximize network lifetime and optimize system utility. For this problem, even a synchronous distributed algorithm would be unacceptable due to simultaneous computations required and a global order of transmission to be known in advance. Therefore, we derive an edge-based formulation for consensus agreement on the variables involved, and develop an asynchronous decentralized algorithm specific to the joint optimization problem based on alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). Our numerical results show that the ADMM-based algorithm can make a good trade-off between the heterogeneous optimization objectives with excellent computational efficiency, and exhibit that the algorithm can converge faster to a stable solution than a gossip-based algorithm for the same aim, and as efficiently as the synchronous counterpart.
Splicing Analysis of Exonic OCRL Mutations Causing Lowe Syndrome or Dent-2 Disease

Mutations in the OCRL gene are associated with both Lowe syndrome and Dent-2 disease. Patients with Lowe syndrome present congenital cataracts, mental disabilities and a renal proximal tubulopathy, whereas patients with Dent-2 disease exhibit similar proximal tubule dysfunction but only mild, or no additional clinical defects. It is not yet understood why some OCRL mutations cause the phenotype of Lowe syndrome, while others develop the milder phenotype of Dent-2 disease. Our goal was to gain new insights into the consequences of OCRL exonic mutations on pre-mRNA splicing. Using predictive bioinformatics tools, we selected thirteen missense mutations and one synonymous mutation based on their potential effects on splicing regulatory elements or splice sites. These mutations were analyzed in a minigene splicing assay. Results of the RNA analysis showed that three presumed missense mutations caused alterations in pre-mRNA splicing. Mutation c.741G>T; p.(Trp247Cys) generated splicing silencer sequences and disrupted splicing enhancer motifs that resulted in skipping of exon 9, while mutations c.2581G>A; p.(Ala861Thr) and c.2581G>C; p.(Ala861Pro) abolished a 5′ splice site leading to skipping of exon 23. Mutation c.741G>T represents the first OCRL exonic variant outside the conserved splice site dinucleotides that results in alteration of pre-mRNA splicing. Our results highlight the importance of evaluating the effects of OCRL exonic mutations at the mRNA level.
Nice Guys Finish Last: Do Honest Taxpayers Face Higher Tax Rates?

This paper examines the relationship between ‘tax morale’ and tax policy. Using a unique cross‐country data set based on the World Values Survey and the World Tax Indicators, we find that income groups with high tax morale face higher average and marginal tax rates. We propose three possible mechanisms which could help to explain our results: i) an inverse elasticity argument where governments seek to minimize distortions, ii) a political economy argument where governments take voting behavior into account, and iii) an administrative costs argument where taxing high morale groups is more cost efficient.
Cyberentrepreneurship: A Multiple Case Study

New information technologies have become the source of a new form of entrepreneurship known as cyberentrepreneurship. The cyberentrepreneur creates a firm that is essentially founded upon electronic commerce (e‐business start‐up), and whose main activities are based on exploiting networks using Internet technologies. So far, researchers have tended to study entrepreneurship as it is expressed in more traditional business models, even though there is recent interest in technology‐based entrepreneurs. Given that cyberentrepreneurship is still in its emergent phase, further research is needed on the subject. The study described in this paper, an in‐depth exploratory study of five cyberentrepreneurs, was designed to throw more light on cyberentrepreneurial processes and on the competitive elements applied by cyberentrepreneurs in starting up their business.
NONFARM ACTIVITY AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN RURAL VIETNAM: 2002-2008

This paper uses the Vietnamese Households Living Standards Surveys of 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008 to examine the effects of nonfarm activity on poverty in rural Vietnam. We show that nonfarm activity helps the poor, but not the poorest, given that households need to own a minimum level of endowment to partake in nonfarm activity. We find an inverted-U shaped relationship between households’ endowment levels and the probability of participating in nonfarm activity. Also, in contrast to previous studies which largely by-passed the endogeneity of nonfarm activity, we instrument it with nonfarm networks, and find that nonfarm activity plays an important role in poverty reduction, however, this impact decreases over time.
An empirical investigation of the causal relationship between openness and economic growth in China

This study investigates the causal relationship between openness and economic growth in China. The integration and cointegration properties of the data are analysed and the models of Granger, Sims, Geweke and Hsiao are used to identify a bi-directional causal relationship between GNP and exports plus imports. This bi-directional causation is consistent with China's development strategy of protected export promotion
CRBP‐III:lacZ expression pattern reveals a novel heterogeneity of vascular endothelial cells

Vascular endothelial cells are structurally and functionally heterogeneous. However, the molecular basis of this heterogeneity remains poorly defined. We used subtractive and differential screening to identify genes that exhibit heterogeneous expression patterns among vascular endothelial cells. One such gene is cellular retinol binding protein III (CRBP‐III/Rbp7). Analysis of the lacZ knockin line for this gene (CRBP‐III:lacZ) revealed a novel organ‐specific vascular endothelial expression pattern. LacZ was expressed in vascular endothelial cells in heart, skeletal muscle, adipose tissues, thymus, and salivary gland. However, it was not detected in other tissues such as brain, liver, and lung. Furthermore, the expression within each organ was primarily restricted to small capillary endothelial cells, but could not be detected in larger vessels. This organ‐specific vascular endothelial expression of CRPB:lacZ is relatively resistant to the changes of organ microenvironment. However, the level of expression can be modified by vitamin A deficiency. Therefore, our results provide novel molecular evidence for the heterogeneity of vascular endothelial cells. genesis 40:139–145, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The social feasibility of road pricing. A case study for the Randstad area

Road pricing1 is a highly controversial topic, and debates about its desirability tend to be heated. Economists often seem surprised by the difficulties they face in communicating this 'obviously good idea', and apparently have done an unsuccessful job so far in convincing politicians and the public at large of the beneficial properties of road charging (Arnott et a/., 1994). Moreover, even academics themselves appear to have strong and passionate but diverging opinions on the issues of road congestion and congestion charging, as shown by the relatively large number of comments and replies that papers on these topics seem to trigger (Foster, 1974, 1975 versus Richardson, 1974, 1975; Else, 1981, 1982 versus Nash, 1982; Evans, 1992, 1993 versus Hills, 1993; and Lave, 1994, 1995 versus Verhoef, 1995). The apparently limited social and political feasibility of road pricing has led various authors to study this problem from different perspectives. However, empirical research into this important issue is scarce. Nevertheless, it is evident that, no matter how important theoretical reasoning may be for understanding the pros and cons of road pricing, its feasibility will in the end be an empirical matter. This paper discusses the outcomes of a survey among morning peakroad users in the Dutch Randstad area, the main aim of which was to provide an exploratory analysis of road users' opinions on road pricing. The paper starts with a brief review of the problem of road pricing's limited social feasibility. The study design and some general results are presented in Section 3. The exploratory analysis of the opinions on road pricing in Section 4 is ordered according to the structure of the recursive model that was designed for this purpose. Section 5 considers the allocation of revenues, and its impact on the feasibility of road pricing. Finally, Section 6 presents conclusions.
A doctor's ability to assess the severity of childhood asthma by simple clinical features

Aims: To ascertain whether the severity of childhood asthma can be reliably assessed by simple clinical features, 94 newly diagnosed, school‐aged asthmatic children were investigated. Methods: The study included parental interviews, physical examination, skin prick tests, lung function studies, including a brief visual interpretation of the flow–volume curve, and a 6‐min exercise challenge test on a treadmill, which was used as a reference. Results: Baseline lung function studies showed a concave‐shaped flow–volume curve in 40 (43%) patients, reduced maximal mid‐expiratory flow (MMEF) in 25 (27%) and a reduced ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) in 14 (15%). The drop in peak expiratory flow (PEF) after exercise ranged from 0 to 79% of the baseline (mean 21.3%) and exceeded 12.5% in 52 (55%) patients. There was a small but significant correlation between the baseline FEV1/FVC and MMEF values and the response to exercise (r=−0.39 and −0.35; p=0.000, respectively), but when studied by linear regression analysis, the response to exercise was best predicted by the past symptom rate and a concave pattern in the pre‐test maximal expiratory flow–volume curve. The values of traditional lung function tests or age, atopy, duration of symptoms or history of exercise‐induced wheezing did not remain in the model.
Corporate Social Responsibility in the Russian Federation

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has emerged as a concept for business from within developed, Western economies. Such economies are underpinned by functioning institutions, where compliance with regulation is assumed. Recently, however, the ability of this traditional understanding of CSR to take account of the different economic and institutional arrangements found in non-Western contexts has been challenged. It has been argued that CSR research needs to be more contextualized and that the Western interpretation and assumptions about what CSR is and how it is enacted needs to be broadened and challenged to take account of different stages of economic development. With this argument in mind, this article presents a contextualized critique of CSR undertaken in the Russian Federation. Based on a qualitative study involving managers within privatized Russian firms, this article explores the type, nature, and scope of CSR undertaken and attendant motivation of firms to engage in CSR practice. By taking account of the historical and cultural antecedents of both the Soviet Union and the post-Soviet transition period, the author reveals that while the market is driving conventional forms of CSR within some Russian firms, the historical legacy of both the Soviet Union and more recent political developments have a stronger influence on the type and nature of CSR undertaken. These findings challenge the assumptions about both the voluntary nature of CSR and the prerequisites needed for CSR to take place.
End of Life in the NICU: A Study of Ventilator Withdrawal

Purpose Withdrawal of ventilator support occurs commonly in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), but few studies have examined the process surrounding this event. This study reviewed the charts of 18 infants who died after ventilator withdrawal. Documentation of process of ventilator withdrawal, medication administration, parental participation in the decision making, and support of the family were examined. Design and Methods Retrospective chart review of all neonatal deaths during the years 1997 to 1998 in two urban hospitals with Level II and Level III NICUs. Seventy-two neonates died during that time period; 18 had died after ventilator withdrawal. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results We found a lack of clarity and consistency in the documentation in charts of infants who died after ventilator removal. Twenty-two percent of the charts had no written orders for ventilator removal; only two-thirds of the infants were receiving pain medication in conjunction with ventilator removal; 83% of the charts had a notation about parental participation in the ventilator removal. Regarding support, most charts documented support from family or clergy; however, no charts documented the emotional or social support given by nurses to the families. Clinical Implications Improved provision of and documentation of pain and symptom management upon ventilator withdrawal are needed. More clearly written orders for ventilator termination are suggested. Improved documentation of the support provided by nurses to parents of dying infants is recommended.
The cytochrome P450 2D‐mediated formation of serotonin from 5‐methoxytryptamine in the brain in vivo: a microdialysis study

The cytochrome P450 2D (CYP2D) mediates synthesis of serotonin from 5‐methoxytryptamine (5‐MT), shown in vitro for cDNA‐expressed CYP2D‐isoforms and liver and brain microsomes. We aimed to demonstrate this synthesis in the brain in vivo. We measured serotonin tissue content in brain regions after 5‐MT injection into the raphe nuclei (Model‐A), and its extracellular concentration in rat frontal cortex and striatum using an in vivo microdialysis (Model‐B) in male Wistar rats. Naïve rats served as control animals. 5‐MT injection into the raphe nuclei of PCPA‐(tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor)‐pretreated rats increased the tissue concentration of serotonin (from 40 to 90% of the control value, respectively, in the striatum), while the CYP2D inhibitor quinine diminished serotonin level in some brain structures of those animals (Model‐A). 5‐MT given locally through a microdialysis probe markedly increased extracellular serotonin concentration in the frontal cortex and striatum (to 800 and 1000% of the basal level, respectively) and changed dopamine concentration (Model‐B). Quinine alone had no effect on serotonin concentration; however, given jointly with 5‐MT, it prevented the 5‐MT‐induced increase in cortical serotonin in naïve rats and in striatal serotonin in PCPA‐treated animals. These results indicate that the CYP2D‐catalyzed alternative pathway of serotonin synthesis from 5‐MT is relevant in the brain in vivo, and set a new target for the action of psychotropics.
Type‐I interferons mediate the neuroinflammatory response and neurotoxicity induced by rotenone

Evidence from post‐mortem human brains, animal studies and cell culture models has implicated neuroinflammation in the aetiology of chronic neuropathologies including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Although the neuroinflammatory response is considered detrimental in contributing to these pathologies, the underlying mechanisms are still not well understood. The type‐I interferons (IFNs) have been well characterised in the periphery and are known to initiate/modulate the immune response. Recently, they have been implicated in ageing and we have also demonstrated increased type‐I IFN expression in post‐mortem human Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease brains. We hypothesise that the type‐I IFNs are key drivers of the damaging, self‐perpetuating pro‐inflammatory response that contributes to these chronic neuropathologies. In support of this, we have recently confirmed in models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease that mice lacking the type‐I IFN receptor (IFNAR1), display an attenuated neuroinflammatory response with subsequent neuroprotection. To further investigate type‐I IFN‐mediated neuroinflammation and the specific CNS cell types involved, this study treated primary cultured wild‐type and IFNAR1−/− neurons or mixed glia with the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, rotenone. Wild‐type neurons and glia treated with 3 nM and 25 nM rotenone, respectively, exhibited a pro‐inflammatory response, including increased type‐I IFN expression that was attenuated in cells lacking IFNAR1. Reduced type‐I IFN signalling in IFNAR1−/− neurons also conferred protection against caspase‐3‐mediated rotenone‐induced cell death. Further, this reduced pro‐inflammatory response in the IFNAR1−/− glia subsequently diminished their neurotoxic effects to wild‐type neurons. In support of this, we confirmed that therapeutically targeting the type‐I IFN glial response to rotenone through a specific IFNAR1 blocking monoclonal antibody was neuroprotective. Our data has confirmed that both neurons and glia contribute to the pro‐inflammatory response induced by rotenone with attenuation of this response beneficial in reducing neuronal cell death.
Lexical ambiguity, semantic context, and visual word recognition.

Some alternative hypotheses about the recognition of ambiguous words are considered. According to the selective-access hypothesis, prior semantic context biases people to access one meaning of an ambiguous word rather than another in lexical memory during recognition. In contrast, the nonselectiveaccess hypothesis states that all meanings of the word are accessed regardless of the context. We tested certain versions of these hypotheses by having students decide whether selected strings of letters were English words. The stimuli included test sequnces of three words in which the second word had two distinct possible meanings, whereas the first and third words were related to these meanings in various ways. When the first and third words were related to the same meaning of the ambiguous second word (e.g., SAVE-BANK-MONEY), the reaction time to recognize the third word decreased. But when the first and third words were related to different meanings of the second word (e.g., RIVER-BANK-MONEY), the reaction time for the third word was not reliably different from a control sequence with unrelated words. These and other data favor the selective-access hypothesis. Selective access to lexical memory is discussed in relation to models of word recognition.
Export Performance and Increased Services Content in Manufacturing

Against the background of the increasing services content of many manufactured goods, the paper attempts to assess the role of (domestically and internationally) purchased service inputs for the relative export performance of countries in a particular manufacturing industry. It estimates an empirical model of export market shares for EU15 countries and twelve disaggregated manufacturing industries over the period 1995 to 2007. Whereas most traditional explanations are based on the influence of relative costs and technology-related variables, this paper emphasises the importance of services as a determinant of both product quality and the sectors’ productivity. The service linkage variables are based on national input–output tables. The analysis finds a positive and highly significant impact of services on export market shares of manufactured goods. Distinguishing between domestically-sourced service inputs and imports results in a robust and highly significant impact of international service linkages, while the analysis finds no impact of domestic service linkages.
Feed intake, growth rate and some anatomical characteristics of broilers fed commercial diets supplemented with green feeds

Abstract A study was conducted on the Teaching and Research Farm of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria to evaluate the nutritional suitability of four treatments, namely a commercial type broiler diet as compared with the commercial diet supplemented with either fresh centrosema (Centrosema molle), pueraria (Pueraria phaseoloides), or waterleaf (Talinium triangulare) leaves. These diets were fed to 120 day-old chicks (Lohmann Brown) over a 62-day period with treatments arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD). Chemical composition of broiler basal diets differed significantly from the three green foliage supplements. Dry matter (DM) of leaf meals ranged from 97.8 to 227.0 g kg−1 which was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of broiler basal diets which averaged 900 g kg−1. Crude protein (CP) of leaf meals, however, ranged from 182.0 to 244.0 g kg−1 which was generally higher than basal diets (130–153 g kg−1). Similarly, crude fiber (CF) was highest for centrosema and pueraria leaves (330–342 g kg−1) and lowest in basal diets (164–222 g kg−1). However, ether extract (EE) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) were significantly higher in broiler basal diets. Broiler daily and total feed intake over 62 days were similar between treatments and the control, averaging 112 g d−1, while diets containing waterleaf were slightly (2.5%) lower. Total and daily bodyweight (BW) gains (2110 g and 34 g d−1) were also similar between treatments and the control, except that gains where the broiler diet was supplemented with centrosema foliage were 2.9% higher. A higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) and lower protein efficiency ratio (PER) for the diet supplemented with pueraria indicates a higher feed efficiency and better protein efficiency in the commercial control diet. Carcass characteristics with the commercial control diet included greater (P<0.05) intestinal length and gizzard and spleen weights than with green foliage supplements. However, broiler carcass weight was generally lowest (P<0.05) in the control group (64.3 g/100 g BW) and highest in the waterleaf group (71.3 g/100 g BW). Small differences in carcass weight among the treatments tested reduces the effectiveness of green feeds for practical and economic intensive broiler production. However, increased effectiveness of green feed supplementation for broiler production might likely be observed where broilers are managed on fenced rangelands planted to selected green feeds or in integrated systems where other livestock (rabbits, sheep, goats, etc.) are jointly reared. These results support the recommendation that leaf meals of green feeds should be incorporated into broiler diets in future studies.