Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Volatility in Wheat Spot and Futures Markets, 1950-1993: Government Farm Programs, Seasonality, and Causality

The authors explore how wheat spot and futures market volatility has been impacted by government farm programs during the 1950-93 period. They find that changing volatility in both markets is highly associated with changing farm programs. The mandatory allotment programs of the 1950s and early 1960s (1/3/50-4/10/64) were associated with low volatility, while the voluntary programs initiated in the mid-1960s seem to have induced high volatility (4/11/64-12/22/85). Both market-driven loan rates and conservation reserve programs appear to have helped volatility revert to lower levels since the mid-1980s (12/23/85-12/30/93). The authors also examine seasonality and causality in conjunction with the farm programs. Copyright 1996 by American Finance Association.
Comparison of extracranial artery stenosis and cerebral blood flow, assessed by quantitative magnetic resonance, using digital subtraction angiography as the reference standard

AbstractExtracranial arteriosclerosis usually indicates a high risk of ischemic stroke. In the past, a clinical decision following diagnosis was dependent on the percentage of vessel stenosis determined by an invasive technique. We aimed to develop a quantitative magnetic resonance (QMR) technique to evaluate artery structure and cerebral hemodynamics noninvasively.QMR and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were performed in 67 patients with suspected cerebral vascular disease at our hospital. Accuracy, sensitivity, positive predictive values (PPVs), negative predictive values (NPVs), and Pearson correlation coefficient of QMR were calculated and compared for the detection and measurement of vascular stenoses using DSA as a gold standard. For patients with unilateral artery stenosis, quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured by QMR in ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres.Among 67 subjects (male 54, female 12), 201 stenoses were detected by QMR and DSA. QMR measuring the degree of stenosis and lesion length was in good correlation with the results obtained by DSA (r2 = 0.845, 0.721, respectively). As for artery stenosis, PPV and NPV of QMR were 89.55% and 95.71%, respectively. As for severe stenosis, sensitivity and specificity of QMR were 82.3% and 86.0% with DSA as a reference. For subjects with unilateral carotid stenosis, CBF in basal ganglia decreased significantly (P < 0.001) compared with the contralateral one in symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. For subjects with moderate stenosis (50–79%), CBF of temporal and basal ganglia was decreased compared with the contralateral ganglia. However, CBF in subjects with severe stenosis or occlusion in the basal ganglia was mildly elevated compared with the contralateral ganglia (P < 0.001). In our study, a good correlation was found between QMR and DSA when measuring artery stenosis and CBF. QMR may become an important method for measuring artery stenosis and cerebral hemodynamics in the future.
A field experiment to study sex and age discrimination in the Madrid labour market

This article presents the findings of a field experiment carried out in Madrid which aims to analyse gender and age discrimination in hiring in the labour market of Madrid. A set of five pairs of fictitious man–woman curricula was sent in response to 1062 job offers in six occupations which were advertised on Internet over an eight-month period. It was quantified subsequently the extent to which the different firms contacted more or less the candidates of different sex, age and marital status. No discrimination is detected against women in terms of access to job interviews; however, discriminatory conduct is seen regarding the phenomenon of occupational gender segregation, in the sense that there is a continuance among employers of stereotyped views on the greater suitability of women for certain tasks. No evidence is found to indicate firms showing relative discrimination against married women with children in the first phase of hiring process. And a clear evidence of discrimination is obtained on the basis of age: firms show a substantial fall in interest over interviewing 38-year-old candidates (compared to those aged 24 or 28). This would imply that the tendency to discriminate against older workers may be high, and, what is more, it may start at a surprisingly young age.
A Study of the Impactof Travel Satisfaction on the Likelihood of Travelers to Revisit Thailand

Abstract This study aims to: (1) examine the satisfaction of international travelers during their visit to Thailand; (2) determine whether there is a significant difference in travel satisfaction between first time and repeat travelers; (3) assess whether there is a significant difference in travel satisfaction among travelers with different demographic profiles; and, (4) identify the impact of travel satisfaction on the likelihood of travelers to revisit Thailand. An exit questionnaire survey was used to collect data. The target population was the international traveler who was checking in for departure flights to 13 countries at the Bangkok International Airport from June 1-4 and June 10-11, 2000. A three stage sampling approach including proportionate stratified, cluster and systematic random sampling was used to randomly select 590 international travelers. Descriptive statistics, independent sample mean t-test, exploratory factor analysis, ANOVA, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. The result of the study revealed a significant difference in travel satisfaction between first time and repeat travelers, and among travelers with different demographic profiles, and the impact of travel satisfaction on the likelihood of travelers to revisit Thailand.
Retinoic acid protects from experimental cerebral infarction by upregulating GAP-43 expression

The aim of this study was to investigate whether exogenous retinoic acid (RA) can upregulate the mRNA and protein expression of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43), thereby promoting brain functional recovery in a rat distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of ischemia. A total of 216 male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 300–320 g were divided into 3 groups: sham-operated group, MCAO+vehicle group and MCAO+RA group. Focal cortical infarction was induced with a distal MCAO model. The expression of GAP-43 mRNA and protein in the ipsilateral perifocal region was assessed using qPCR and immunocytochemistry at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after distal MCAO. In addition, an intraperitoneal injection of RA was given 12 h before MCAO and continued every day until the animal was sacrificed. Following ischemia, the expression of GAP-43 first increased considerably and then decreased. Administration of RA reduced infarction volume, promoted neurological functional recovery and upregulated expression of GAP-43. Administration of RA can ameliorate neuronal damage and promote nerve regeneration by upregulating the expression of GAP-43 in the perifocal region after distal MCAO.
Establishing the linkages between the South African agricultural trade balance and macroeconomic indicators

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the long-run and short-run linkages between macroeconomic fundamentals, agricultural variables and the South African agricultural trade balance, using co-integration analysis and a vector error-correction model with yearly data from 1980 to 2011. The literature review shows that these linkages have not been empirically established for South Africa, despite the relative importance thereof in the policy process. The findings reveal that in the long run, the exchange rate, agricultural price, agricultural production and disposable income all have a significant impact on trade balance. The joint short-run dynamic impact of the lagged trade balance, lagged agricultural production, lagged exchange rate, domestic price and agricultural production explains the changes in the South African agricultural trade balance.
Lung cancer screening and smoking abstinence: 2 year follow-up data from the Dutch–Belgian randomised controlled lung cancer screening trial

Background Lung cancer screening may provide a new opportunity for attempts to quit among smokers or might delay smoking cessation, but studies to date failed to provide evidence for this. This study investigated the effect of lung cancer screening on smoking abstinence in male smokers participating in the Dutch–Belgian randomised controlled lung cancer screening trial (NELSON trial). Methods In the NELSON trial, 50- to 75-year-old participants at high risk for developing lung cancer were randomised to either lung cancer screening or no screening. Smoking behaviour was evaluated in two random samples of male smokers in the screen (n=641) and control arm (n=643) before (T0) and 2 years after randomisation (T1). In addition, the data were also analysed by intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, as recommended in smoking cessation intervention trials, although non-response in screening trials can also be due to reasons other than continued smoking. Results Almost 17% (16.6%) of the trial participants quit smoking, which is higher than the 3–7% found in the general adult population. However, screening was associated with a lower prolonged abstinence rate (14.5%) compared with no screening (19.1%) (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.92; p<0.05). No stastistically significant difference was found after performing an ITT analysis. Conclusions This study showed that all trial participants were inclined to stop smoking more than average, which suggests that screening is a teachable moment to improve smoking behaviour. In those who underwent screening the smoking abstinence rate was significantly lower than for the control group, although the difference was modest. After ITT analysis this difference was no longer observed. Clinical trial number ISRCTN63545820.
Intracellular Distribution and Involvement of GPR30 in the Actions of E2 on C2C12 Cells

G‐protein‐coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) is an estrogen receptor that initiates several rapid, non‐genomic signaling events triggered by E2. GPR30 has recently been identified in C2C12 cells; however, little is known about the intracelular distribution and its role in C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes. By western blotting and immunohistochemistry, we evidenced expression of GPR30. While in C2C12 myoblasts, the receptor was present in nucleus, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum, in C2C12 myotubes, it was additionally found in cytoplasm. Using trypan blue uptake assay to determine cellular death and fluorescent microscopy to evaluate picnotic nuclei and mitochondrial distribution, we demonstated that treatment of C2C12 myoblasts with G1 (GPR30 agonist) did not protect the cells against apoptosis induced by H2O2 as E2. However, when G15 (GPR30 antagonist) was used, E2 could not prevent the damage caused by the oxidative stress. Further, some of the molecular mechanisms involved were investigated by wertern blot assays. Thus, E2 was able to induce AKT phosphorylation in apoptotic conditions and ERK phosphorylation in proliferating C2C12 cells but not when the cultures were incubated with G15. Additionally, using G15 antagonist we have found that GPR30 participates in the myogenin expression and creatine kinase activity stimulated by E2 in the first steps of C2C12 differentiation. Althogether these findings provide evidences showing that GPR30 is expressed in diverse intracellular compartments in undifferentiated and differentiated C2C12 cells and mediates E2 actions. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 793–805, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A vision for valuation

Purpose – This paper aims to stimulate debate amongst valuers and users of valuations over what action is needed to ensure the provision of the valuation services that the modern economy requires.Design/methodology/approach – This paper looks at developments and trends affecting the nature of and the need for valuation services around the world in the short to medium term.Findings – There is a bright future for those valuers who understand the dynamics in their market and anticipate or always respond to change. The consequence of failing to respond is inevitable decline in the long term. More automated valuation processes and products have an important role to play in the future provision of valuation services. The valuation community must rise to the challenge of developing a professional class of valuers in emerging economies. Governments should insist on good quality valuation in their jurisdictions as they have a major role to play in consumer protection. The leading professional organisations in the .
Selective destruction of microscopic fungi through photo-oxidation of ergosterol

Ergosterol is an important component of fungal membranes. This sterol can be easily transformed to peroxide of ergosterol by photo-oxidation with singlet oxygen. Cultures of Papalauspora immersa were grown on Czapeck agar medium, and subjected to the following conditions: 1) irradiation with daylight and quartz light (excluding UV light), 2) addition by diffusion of yellowish eosine (0.1 mg/mL), and 3) the control (no yellowish eosine, under darkness conditions). Fungal growth was completely inhibited after the treatment with quartz light (3 h) and yellow eosine, and no growth was observed in subsequent subcultures. These results suggested that plasma membrane components changed significantly by the transformation of ergosterol to peroxide of ergosterol leading to fungal death. To confirm this, a second experiment on a larger scale was carried out in which the fungus was grown on liquid medium in test tubes, treated, irradiated, and tested for peroxide of ergosterol by 1HNMR. This peroxide was only found in treated samples. These findings represent a new strategy for developing antifungal agents, based on ergosterol photo-oxidation which might probably be related to the disruption of the plasma membrane, instead of only preventing the ergosterol biosynthesis. The potential application of this strategy for the selective control or prevention of pathogenic fungi is considerable.
Seroepidemiological study of Toxoplasma infection in central and western regions in Nepal.

The present study was carried out to ascertain the seroprevalence rate in different geographical areas in Central and Western Regions in Nepal. A total of 1,237 serum samples collected from Nuwakot (217), Kathmandu valley (402) and Chitawan (159) districts in Central Region, and Mustang (143), Surkhet (64) and Banke (252) districts in Western Region in Nepal were included in this study. Toxoplasma antibodies were detected by micro-latex agglutination (MLA) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (IgM-ELISA) methods. The seropositive rate in Central and Western Regions were found to be 48% and 49%, respectively; with an overall positive rate of 48 percent. Districtwise, the seropositive rate in Nuwakot, Kathmandu valley, Chitawan, Mustang, Surkhet and Banke districts were 38, 46, 64, 51, 67 and 44%, respectively. Interestingly, the relatively newly inhabited Surkhet district in Western Region and Chitawan district in Central Region showed significantly higher seropositive rate compared with those of two other districts in the respective Regions (p < 0.05). Ethnically, Tibeto-Burmans showed higher seropositive rates in Central Region (p > 0.05). In contrast, Indo-Aryans showed higher seropositive rate in Western Region (p > 0.05). Age related increase in seropositivity was observed only in Central Region. One percent of Toxoplasma antibody positive samples also showed Toxoplasma IgM antibody positivity.
Naturally Acquired HMW 1-and HMW 2-Specific Serum Antibodies in Adults and Children Mediate Opsonophagocytic Killing of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae

The HMW1 and HMW2 proteins are highly immunogenic adhesins expressed by approximately 75% of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) strains, and HMW1and HMW2-specific antibodies can mediate opsonophagocytic killing of NTHi. In this study, we assessed the ability of HMW1and HMW2-specific antibodies in sera from healthy adults and convalescent-phase sera from children with NTHi otitis media to mediate killing of homologous and heterologous NTHi. The serum samples were examined preand postadsorption on HMW1 and HMW2 affinity columns, and affinity-purified antibodies were assessed for ability to mediate killing of homologous and heterologous strains. Adult serum samples mediated the killing of six prototype NTHi strains at titers of <1:10 to 1:1,280. HMW1and HMW2-adsorbed sera demonstrated unchanged to 8-fold decreased opsonophagocytic titers against the homologous strains. Each affinity-purified antibody preparation mediated the killing of the respective homologous strain at titers of <1:10 to 1:320 and of the five heterologous strains at titers of <1:10 to 1:320, with most preparations killing most heterologous strains to some degree. None of the acute-phase serum samples from children mediated killing, but each convalescent-phase serum sample mediated killing of the infecting strain at titers of 1:40 to 1:640. HMW1and HMW2-adsorbed convalescent-phase serum samples demonstrated >4-fold decreases in titer. Three of four affinitypurified antibody preparations mediated killing of the infecting strain at titers of 1:20 to 1:320, but no killing of representative heterologous strains was observed. HMW1and HMW2-specific antibodies capable of mediating opsonophagocytic killing are present in the serum from normal adults and develop in convalescent-phase sera of children with NTHi otitis media. Continued investigation of the HMW1 and HMW2 proteins as potential vaccine candidates for the prevention of NTHi disease is warranted.
Demographic Dynamics and Economic Take-Off

This article develops and tests a simple theory of demographic dynamics and economic take-off. It shows that demographic change has a threshold effect, and that China's population policies moved this threshold effect (i.e., the timing of economic take-off) forward by more than a decade. The impact of China's population-control policies on China's economic growth may be twice as large as what is estimated by the traditional econometric method.
International Sports League Comparisons

Comparisons between European and North American sports leagues have occurred over the years. In this paper, we attempt to bring these comparisons down to the essential elements -what has come to be called Rottenberg's (1956) invariance principle and theoretical insights into attempts to alter competitive balance using revenue sharing, talent drafts, and payroll caps. We also examine player reserve systems (the reserve clause in North American leagues and transfer restrictions in European leagues) and differences in objective functions (North American leagues are treated under profit maximization while European leagues are treated under utility maximization and win maximization). The focus is on model predictions compared to actual outcomes, and any differences between North America and Europe.
Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma: clinical, radiographic, and pathological findings. Surgical results.

BACKGROUND Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) remains one of the most controversial of lung cancer subtypes. METHODS From 1980 to 1998, 374 resected patients for NSCLC were followed up in our department. Of the 147 cases histologically defined as adenocarcinoma, 34 were pure BAC. The records of these 34 patients were retrospectively reviewed in order to evaluate patient and tumor characteristics and to identify which variables had a prognostic impact on survival and recurrence rate. RESULTS Patient age, sex, smoking habits and symptoms were not differentiating characteristics when related to radiographic presentation or to natural history. Mucinous cell-type (23.6% of cases) was more frequent with non-smokers, presence of a single nodule or mass and stage I. Favorable characteristics were: a) the prevalence of stage I and N0 cases (59% and 76.7% of cases, respectively) with a mean survival time of 66 and 77 months, respectively; and b) the radiographic presentation of a solitary pulmonary nodule or mass (76.4% of cases), that, independently of nodal involvement, showed a higher mean survival time (62 months). Independently significant adverse prognostic factors were: stage II-IV, lymph node involvement, and patient age over sixty years. The radiographic presence of multiple or satellite nodules was related to a significantly adverse prognosis (mean survival time: 18 months) by univariate analysis; this was not confirmed by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS In our experience BAC was the NSCLC subtype more frequently associated with a good outcome after resection; surgery should not to be denied also in patients with multiple nodules, when under sixty years of age and no lymph node involvement.
The Biological Standard of Living in Early Nineteenth‐Century West Africa: New Anthropometric Evidence for Northern Ghana and Burkina Faso

West Africans are on average shorter than Europeans today. Whether this was already the case at the end of the Atlantic slave trade is an important question for the history of nutrition and physical welfare. We present the first study of changing heights for people born mostly in what are now northern Ghana and Burkina Faso during the early nineteenth century. The dataset, not used before for anthropometry, documents men born between 1800 and 1849. Mostly purchased from slave owners, they were recruited into the Dutch army to serve in the Dutch East Indies. We find that height development was stagnant between 1800 and 1830 and deteriorated strongly during the 1840s. In international comparison and after taking selectivity issues into account, these Ghanaian and Burkinabe recruits were notably shorter than north-western Europeans but not shorter than southern Europeans during this period.
Workers and Strangers

The growing household service economy (e.g., domestic service, gardening) introduces social heterogeneity both within and near suburban regions that have previously been segregated by race and class. The author examines this dynamic through an ethnographic study of a community in Orange County, California, and argues that the shifts in social geography accompanying the household service economy in this neighborhood had exacerbated existing anxieties about security and contributed to the popular desire among residents to “fortress. ” The findings of this study suggest that in a bifurcated economy in which household services proliferate, more suburban neighborhoods may retreat into highly regulated, gated communities.
Cysteine‐Mediated Redox Regulation of Cell Signaling in Chondrocytes Stimulated With Fibronectin Fragments

Oxidative posttranslational modifications of intracellular proteins can potentially regulate signaling pathways relevant to cartilage destruction in arthritis. In this study, oxidation of cysteine residues to form sulfenic acid (S‐sulfenylation) was examined in osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes and investigated in normal chondrocytes as a mechanism by which fragments of fibronectin (FN‐f) stimulate chondrocyte catabolic signaling.
Turnover, Absence, and Transfer Rates as Indicators of Employee Dissatisfaction with Repetitive Work

It is frequently alleged that the extreme division of labor or simplification of tasks in mass-production industries is a major source of job dissatisfaction. Moreover, according to this view, workers typically express their discontent with the monotony of highly repetitive jobs in high rates of absenteeism and labor turnover, or by seeking transfers to less repetitive work. The findings of the study reported in this article dispute the usefulness of such personnel phenomena as indicators of the degree of employee dissatisfaction with repetitive work. A variety of other job conditions submerged the effect, if any, of repetitiveness on turnover, absenteeism, and transfer rates in two manufacturing companies studied by the author. (Author's abstract courtesy EBSCO.)