Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ZEF-Discussion Papers on Development Policy No. 169

Recent analyses of the evolution and structure of trade in virtual water revealed that the number of trade connections and volume of virtual water trade have more than doubled over the past two decades, and that developed countries increasingly draw on the rest of the world to alleviate the pressure on their domestic water resources. Our work builds on these studies, but fills three important gaps in the research on global virtual water trade. First, we note that in previous studies virtual water volumes are lumped together from countries experiencing vastly different degrees of water scarcity. We therefore incorporate water scarcity into assessments of virtual water flows. Second, we note that some previous studies assess virtual water networks only in terms of immediate water used for food production, but omit indirect virtual water used throughout the supply chains underlying all traded goods. In our analysis we therefore use input-output analysis to also include indirect virtual water. We note existing conflicting views about whether trade in virtual water can lead to overall savings in global water resources. We re-visit the Heckscher-Ohlin Theorem in the context of direct as well as indirect virtual water in order to determine whether international trade can be seen as a feasible demand management instrument in alleviating water scarcity. We find that the structure of global virtual water networks changes significantly after adjusting for water scarcity. In addition, when indirect virtual water is appraised the Heckscher-Ohlin Theorem can be validated.
Breastfeeding Supports and Services in Rural Hawaii: Perspectives of Community Healthcare Workers

Background. In the state of Hawaii, breastfeeding initiation rates are higher than the national average but fall below target rates for duration. Accessing breastfeeding support services is challenging for mothers living in rural areas of the state. Healthcare workers (HCWs) working with mothers and infants are in a key position to encourage and support breastfeeding efforts. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of a Hawaiian community's (specifically Hilo, Hawai‘i) breastfeeding service and support issues. Method. The qualitative study design utilized was a focused ethnography. This approach was used to gather data from participant HCWs (N = 23) about their individual or shared experience(s) about the breastfeeding supports and services available in their community. An iterative process of coding and categorizing the data followed by conceptual abstraction into patterns was completed. Results. Three patterns emerged from the qualitative interviews: Operating within Constraints of the Particular Environment, Coexisting Messages, and Process Interrupted. Participants identified a number of gaps in breastfeeding services available to their clients including the lack of available lactation consultants and the inconsistent communication between hospital and community providers. A number of implications for practice and further research were suggested within the results and are discussed.
Effect of growth hormone therapy on nitric oxide formation in cystic fibrosis patients

Airway nitric oxide production is decreased in cystic fibrosis. As growth hormone therapy has been shown to increase nitric oxide production in growth hormone-deficient patients, it may also affect nitric oxide production in patients with cystic fibrosis. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of growth hormone therapy on systemic and airway nitric oxide formation in patients with cystic fibrosis. Nitric oxide metabolites in serum and urine, amino acid concentrations in serum and sputum, as well as exhaled nitric oxide, were measured in children with cystic fibrosis before, during and after 1 yr of treatment with human growth hormone. Nitric oxide metabolite concentrations increased significantly in serum and urine during the treatment period. Serum amino acid concentrations (including l-arginine, the substrate for nitric oxide synthases) also increased during treatment. The systemic bioavailability of l-arginine for nitric oxide synthases, expressed as ratio of l-arginine/l-ornithine+lysine, remained unchanged. In contrast, l-arginine concentrations in sputum decreased significantly during growth hormone treatment, as did exhaled nitric oxide levels. Treatment with growth hormone in children with cystic fibrosis decreases exhaled nitric oxide by reducing the concentration of l-arginine in the airways.
Hyperfine structure in the J=1-0 transitions of DCO+, DNC, and (HNC)-C-13: astronomical observations and quantum-chemical calculations

Context. Knowledge of the hyperfine structure of molecular lines is useful for estimating reliable column densities from observed emission, and essential for the derivation of kinematic information from line profiles. Aims. Deuterium bearing molecules are especially useful in this regard, because they are good probes of the physical and chemical structure of molecular cloud cores on the verge of star formation. However, the necessary spectroscopic data are often missing, especially for molecules which are too unstable for laboratory study. Methods. We have observed the ground-state (J = 1−0) rotational transitions of DCO + ,H N 13 C and DNC with the IRAM 30 m telescope toward the dark cloud LDN 1512 which has exceptionally narrow lines permitting hyperfine splitting to be resolved in part. The measured splittings of 50–300 kHz are used to derive nuclear quadrupole and spin-rotation parameters for these species. The measurements are supplemented by high-level quantum-chemical calculations using coupled-cluster techniques and large atomic-orbital basis sets. Results. We find eQq =+ 151.12 (400) kHz and CI = −1.12 (43) kHz for DCO + , eQq = 272.5 (51) kHz for HN 13 C, and eQq(D) = 265.9 (83) kHz and eQq(N) = 288.2 (71) kHz for DNC. The numbers for DNC are consistent with previous laboratory data, while our constants for DCO + are somewhat smaller than previous results based on astronomical data. For both DCO + and DNC, our results are more accurate than previous determinations. Our results are in good agreement with the corresponding best theoretical estimates, which amount to eQq = 156. 0k Hz andCI = −0.69 kHz for DCO + , eQq = 279. 5k Hz for HN 13 C, and eQq(D) = 257. 6k Hz and eQq(N) = 309.6 kHz for DNC. We also derive updated rotational constants for HN 13 C: B = 43 545.6000 (47) MHz and D = 93.7 (20) kHz. Conclusions. The hyperfine splittings of the DCO + , DNC and HN 13 C J = 1−0 lines range over 0.47–1.28 km s −1 , which is comparable to typical line widths in pre-stellar cores and to systematic gas motions on ∼1000 AU scales in protostellar cores. We present tabular information to allow inclusion of the hyperfine splitting in astronomical data interpretation. The large differences in the 14 N quadrupole parameters of DNC and HN 13 C have been traced to differences in the vibrational corrections caused by significant nonrigidity of these molecules, particularly along the bending coordinate.
BUS TRANSIT SERVICE COVERAGE FOR MAXIMUM PROFIT AND SOCIAL WELFARE

A framework for finding the optimal bus transit service coverage in an urban corridor is presented. The service variables considered are a combination of route length, route spacing, headway, and fare. The criterion for optimality is either operator profit or social welfare maximization. The social welfare, a sum of user and operator surplus, is optimized with both unconstrained subsidy and breakeven constraints. The equations for the optimal design variables that maximize operator profit and social welfare are derived analytically for a rectangular transit corridor with elastic demand, uniformly distributed passenger trip density, and many-to-one travel patterns. The equations provide considerable insight into the optimality conditions and interrelations among variables. These equations are also incorporated within an efficient algorithm that computes optimal values for the decision variables for a more realistic model with vehicle capacity constraints. The numerical results show that at the optimum the operator profit and welfare functions are rather shallow, thus facilitating the tailoring of design variables to the actual street network and particular operating schedule without substantial decreases in profit or welfare. The social welfare function is relatively flat near the optimum for a relatively large range of subsidies. This result implies that for a given set of input data the breakeven constraint may be an economically preferable objective because it eliminates subsidy, whereas it reduces social welfare only marginally. The sensitivities of the design variables to some important exogenous factors are also presented. The presented methodology is also applicable to the problem of optimal service coverage of feeder bus systems serving rapid rail line stations.
Register binding for clock period minimization

In modern high-speed circuit design, the clock skew has been widely utilized as a manageable resource to improve the circuit performance. However, in high-level synthesis stage, the circuit is never optimized for the utilization of clock skew. This paper is the first attempt to the high-level synthesis of non-zero clock skew circuits. First, we show that the register binding in high-level synthesis stage has a significant impact on the clocking constraints between registers. As a result, different register binding solutions lead to different smallest feasible clock periods. Then, based on that observation, we formulate the problem of register binding for clock period minimization. Given a constraint on the number of registers, our objective is to find a minimum-period register binding solution. Experimental data show that, in most benchmark circuits, the lower bound of the clock period can be achieved without any extra overhead on the number of registers
Institutions, Economic Performance And Sustainable Development: A Case Study of the Fiji Islands

Preface The Social and Economic Position of Fiji in the South Pacific and Global Context: The Relevance of this Case Study An Overview of Recent Developments in the Political Economy of Fiji Why Institutions Matter for Economic Performance and for Sustainable Development Economic Performance and Poverty in Fiji The Institution of Property Rights in Land: An Economic and Political Dilemma Institutional Constraints to the Sugar Industry: Can it Survive in Fiji? Institutions, Rent Capture and Forest Management Institutions and Tourism Development Institutions and the Conservation and Management of the Environment in Fiji Challenges and Prospects for Fiji: Some Issues in Retrospect Index.
Inflammation and its impact on anaemia in chronic kidney disease: from haemoglobin variability to hyporesponsiveness

The availability of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) has revolutionized the treatment of anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. However, maintaining patients at haemoglobin (Hb) levels that are both safe and provide maximal benefit is a continuing challenge in the field. Based on emerging data on the potential risks of Hb treatment targets >13 g/dL, treatment targets have recently been lowered. In the latest revision (March 2008) of the European product labelling for the ESA class of drugs, the target treatment range was lowered to 10–12 g/dL. Fluctuation of Hb levels or ‘Hb variability’ during treatment with ESAs is a well-documented phenomenon. Hb levels that are either too high or too low may have an adverse effect on patient outcomes; thus, it is important to understand the causes of Hb variability in order to achieve optimal treatment. Several factors are believed to contribute to variation in the Hb level, including patient comorbidities and intercurrent events. Inflammation is also an important factor associated with Hb variability, and the consequences of persistent inflammatory activity are far-reaching in affected patients. This review addresses the complex role of inflammation in chronic kidney disease, as evidenced by the apparent state of deranged inflammatory markers. The mechanisms by which inflammatory cytokines may affect the response to ESAs, the development of anaemia and poor treatment outcomes are also examined. In addition, various options for intervention to enhance the response to ESAs in haemodialysis patients with inflammation are considered.
Leukocyte ADAM17 Regulates Acute Pulmonary Inflammation

The transmembrane protease ADAM17 regulates the release and density of various leukocyte cell surface proteins that modulate inflammation, including L-selectin, TNF-α, and IL-6R. At this time, its in vivo substrates and role in pulmonary inflammation have not been directly examined. Using conditional ADAM17 knock-out mice, we investigated leukocyte ADAM17 in acute lung inflammation. Alveolar TNF-α levels were significantly reduced (>95%) in ADAM17-null mice following LPS administration, as was the shedding of L-selectin, a neutrophil-expressed adhesion molecule. Alveolar IL-6R levels, however, were reduced by only ≈25% in ADAM17-null mice, indicating that ADAM17 is not its primary sheddase in our model. Neutrophil infiltration into the alveolar compartment is a key event in the pathophysiology of acute airway inflammation. Following LPS inhalation, alveolar neutrophil levels and lung inflammation in ADAM17-null mice were overall reduced when compared to control mice. Interestingly, however, neutrophil recruitment to the alveolar compartment occurred earlier in ADAM17-null mice after exposure to LPS. This decrease in alveolar neutrophil recruitment in ADAM17-null mice was accompanied by significantly diminished alveolar levels of the neutrophil-tropic chemokines CXCL1 and CXCL5. Altogether, our study suggests that leukocyte ADAM17 promotes inflammation in the lung, and thus this sheddase may be a potential target in the design of pharmacologic therapies for acute lung injury.
Efficient Location-aware Replication Scheme for Reliable Group Communication Applications

In this paper, we present an efficient replication scheme designed to provide scalable and reliable group communication services for end system nodes that are widely dispersed in the network. This scheme is highlighted with three features. First, it employs both remote and neighbor replicas and intelligently avoids the services from interruptions while keeping replication cost low. Second, by using a tunable parameter, this scheme enables the nodes to adaptively make the most promising replica placement decision according to their specific network statuses. Third, a novel recovery technique is presented to minimize service recovery delay. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme is highly efficient in improving service reliability compared with existing neighbor-based replication scheme, random replication scheme and simple alternative schemes. The service recovery delay is greatly reduced by combining with the proposed recovery scheme. Keywords-location; replication; reliable; flexible; group communication;
Antimicrobial Use Guidelines for Treatment of Urinary Tract Disease in Dogs and Cats: Antimicrobial Guidelines Working Group of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases

Urinary tract disease is a common reason for use (and likely misuse, improper use, and overuse) of antimicrobials in dogs and cats. There is a lack of comprehensive treatment guidelines such as those that are available for human medicine. Accordingly, guidelines for diagnosis and management of urinary tract infections were created by a Working Group of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases. While objective data are currently limited, these guidelines provide information to assist in the diagnosis and management of upper and lower urinary tract infections in dogs and cats.
Re-reading education policies : a handbook studying the policy agenda of the 21st century

This book collects studies with a ‘critical education policy orientation’, and presents itself as a handbook of matters of public concern. The term ‘critical’ does not refer to the adoption of a particular theoretical framework or methodology, but rather it refers to a very specific ethos or way of relating to the present and the belief that the future should not be the repetition of the past. This implies a concern about what is happening in our societies today and what could or should be happening in the future. As a consequence, the contributors to the book rely on a general notion of public policy that takes on board processes, practices, and discourses at a variety of levels, in diverse governmental and non-governmental contexts, and considers the relation of policy to power, to politics and to social regulation. Following the detailed introduction that aims at picturing the landscape of studies with a ‘critical education policy orientation’, the book presents re-readings of six policy challenges; globalization, knowledge society, lifelong learning, equality/democracy/social inclusion, accountability/control/efficiency and teacher professionalism. It seeks to contextualise these in relation to issues of current global concern at the start of the 21st century. Despite the diversity of approaches, this collection of critical education policy studies shares a concern with what could be called ‘the public, and its education,’ and represents a snapshot of education policy research at a particular time.
Evidence for a Gradual Decline in the Universal Rest-Frame Ultraviolet Luminosity Density for z < 1

We have utilized various magnitude-limited samples drawn from an extremely deep and highly complete spectroscopic redshift survey of galaxies observed in seven colors in the Hawaii Survey Fields and the Hubble Deep Field to investigate the evolution of the universal rest-frame ultraviolet luminosity density from z = 1 to the present. The multicolor data (U′, B, V, R, and I, J, HK′) enable the sample selection to be made in the rest-frame ultraviolet for the entire redshift range. Because of the large sample size and depth (UAB = 24.75, BAB = 24.75, IAB = 23.5), we are able to accurately determine the luminosity density to z = 1. We do not confirm the very steep evolution reported by Lilly et al. but instead find a shallower slope, approximately (1 + z)1.5 for q0 = 0.5, which would imply that galaxy formation is continuing smoothly to the present time rather than peaking at z = 1. Much of the present formation is taking place in smaller galaxies. Detailed comparisons with other recent determinations of the evolution are presented.
Bit-Rate Selection in Multi-vehicular Networks

IEEE 802.11 PHY supports multiple transmission rates, varying from as low as 1 Mbps in 802.11b, up to 54 Mbps in 802.11g, and higher in 802.11n, with each Wi-Fi station selecting its transmission rate according to its own algorithm. The per-packet fairness scheme adopted by the 802.11 MAC reduces the effective throughput to that of the lowest sending rate. In multi-vehicle opportunistic downloading scenarios the communicating nodes will achieve the maximum transmission rate at some point, therefore in such scenarios the preferred bit-rate selection algorithm is: transmit at the highest bit rate or remain silent. We have implemented this policy and our experimental evaluation demonstrates that there is only a small loss in throughput in single-vehicle scenarios, while throughput is approximately 15% higher than the best alternative in multi-vehicle scenarios, with significantly less contention, and thus loss, on the medium.
Mobile-edge computing vs. centralized cloud computing in fiber-wireless access networks

The advent of Internet of Things and 5G applications renders the need for integration of both centralized cloud computing and emerging mobile-edge computing (MEC) with existing network infrastructures to enhance storage, processing, and caching capabilities in not only centralized but also distributed fashions for supporting both delay-tolerant and mission-critical applications. This paper investigates performance gains of centralized cloud and MEC enabled integrated fiber-wireless (FiWi) access networks. A novel resource management scheme incorporating both centralized cloud and MEC offloading activities into the underlying FiWi dynamic bandwidth allocation process is proposed. An analytical framework is developed to model packet delay, response time efficiency, and gain-offload overhead ratio for both cloud and conventional broadband access traffic. The obtained results demonstrate the feasibility of implementing conventional cloud and MEC in FiWi access networks, while not affecting network performance of broadband access traffic.
The p-i Concept: Pharmacological Interaction of Drugs With Immune Receptors

The immune response in drug hypersensitivity is normally explained by the hapten hypothesis. It postulates that drugs with a molecular weight of less than 1000 D are too small to cause an immune response per se. However, if a chemically reactive drug or drug metabolite binds covalently to a protein and thus forms a so-called hapten-carrier complex, this modified protein can induce an immune response. This concept has recently been supplemented by the p-i concept (or pharmacological interaction with immune receptors), which postulates that some drugs that lack hapten characteristics can bind directly and reversibly (noncovalently) to immune receptors and thereby stimulate the cells. For example, a certain drug may bind to a particular T-cell receptor, and this binding suffices to stimulate the T cell to secrete cytokines, to proliferate, and to exert cytotoxicity. The p-i concept has major implications for our understanding of drug interaction with the specific immune system and for drug hypersensitivity reactions. It is based on extensive investigations of T-cell clones reacting with the drug and recently of hybridoma cells transfected with the drug-specific T-cell receptor for antigen (TCR). It is a highly specific interaction dependent on the expression of a TCR into which the drug can bind with sufficient affinity to cause signaling. Small modification of the drug structure may already abrogate reactivity. Stimulation of T cells occurs within minutes as revealed by rapid Ca++ influx after drug addition to drug-specific T-cell clones or hybridoma cells, thus, before metabolism and processing can occur. As the immune system can only react in an immunologic way, the symptoms arising after drug stimulation of immune receptors imitate an immune response after recognition of a peptide antigen, although it is actually a pharmacological stimulation of some T cells via their TCRs. Clinically, the p-i concept could explain the sometimes rapid appearance of symptoms without previous sensitizations and the sometimes chaotic immune reaction of drug hypersensitivity with participation of different immune mechanisms while normal immune reactions to antigens are highly coordinated. Nevertheless, because the reactions lead to expansion of drug-reactive cells, many features such as skin test reactivity and stronger reactivity upon reexposure are identical to real immune reactions.