Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Agricultural Export Subsidies as a Tool of Trade Strategy: Before and after the Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996

If the main justification for agricultural export subsidies is that they reduce government costs of deficiency payments, then the 1996 farm legislation would make U.S. export subsidies largely unnecessary. An additional argument advanced in favor of export subsidies is that their aggressive use by one country will cause competing countries to reduce or discontinue their own subsidies. This argument is explored by means of a Nash equilibrium in which countries choose both a base subsidy level and a response to competitors, and by a consistent conjectures equilibrium. Little support is found for the argument. Copyright 2001, Oxford University Press.
QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATION OF CHITIN IN FUNGI

Fermentation methods. All fungi were grown in a medium containing the following components in 1,000 ml of distilled water: sucrose, 30.0 g; (NH4)2SO4, 10.0 g; MgSO4 7H20, 1.0 g; KCl, 0.5 g; KH2PO4, 1O.0g; yeast extract (Difco), 0.3 g;ZnSO4 7H20, 0.05 g; FeSO4 7H20, 0.01 g. The pH was adjusted to 5.8 with NaOH. Aliquots (100 ml) of the medium were placed in 250 ml wide mouthed Erlenmeyer flasks and were autoclaved at 120 C for 20 min. Inoculations were performed with cultures grown on slants of potatodextrose agar(Difco). The mycelia and spores were suspended in approx 10 ml of water containing a few drops of 0.05 per cent OT aerosol (American Cyanamid Company) to aid in dispersion of the spores, and 4 ml of the suspension was added to each of 2 flasks. Incubations were conducted at 20 or 25 C on a New Brunswick rotary shaker at 185 rpm. One of the duplicate flasks was analyzed after 4 days, the other after 8 days. Analytical methods. The pH of the contents of the fermentation flask was measured with a glass electrode. Dry wt data were obtained by mincing the growth suspensions for 15 sec in a Waring Blendor; aliquots were filtered, washed with distilled water, and dried for 24 hr at 110 C.
‘White knuckle care work’: violence, gender and new public management in the voluntary sector

Drawing on comparative data from Canada and Scotland, this article explores reasons why violence is tolerated in non-profit care settings. This article provides insights into how the predominantly female (paid) workers’ orientations to work, the desire to care and the intrinsic rewards from working in a non-profit context interact with the organization of work and managerially constructed workplace norms and cultures to offset the tensions in an environment characterized by scarce resources and poor working conditions. This article also outlines how the same environment of scarce resources causes strains in management’s efforts to establish these cultures. Working with highly excluded service users, workers find themselves working at the edge of their endurance, beginning to participate in various forms of resistance, suggesting that even among the most highly committed, ‘white knuckle care’ may be unsustainable.
Improving erectile function by silencing phosphodiesterase-5.

PURPOSE We investigated whether phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) can be down-regulated by a specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) and whether this would improve erectile function. MATERIALS AND METHODS A PDE5 siRNA encoding oligonucleotide was inserted into pSUPER-retro vector, resulting in the siRNA expressing construct, pPDE5-silencer. The construct was packaged into oncoretroviral particles and then transduced into rat cavernous smooth muscle cells (CSMCs). Cells were examined for PDE5 expression by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Cells were then treated with 10 microM sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and examined for cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) at 0, 10, 30, 60 and 240 minutes. The siRNA expressing cassette was transferred from the oncoretrovirus to lentivirus, which was then injected into rat penises. Three months later erectile function was examined by electrostimulation and PDE5 expression in cavernous smooth muscle was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS CSMCs transfected with pPDE5-silencer (CSMC plus siRNA) showed an 88.2% decrease in PDE5 compared with CSMCs transfected with control vector (CSMCs plus vector). Within 10 minutes of SNP treatment cells (CSMCs, CSMCs plus vector and CSMCs plus siRNA) showed similar sharp increases in cGMP. However, while cGMP levels in CSMCs and CSMCs plus vector returned to almost baseline in 1 hour, the cGMP level in CSMCs plus siRNA remained high even 4 hours after SNP treatment. Rats injected with the siRNA expressing lentivirus showed increased electrostimulated erectile function, as measured by peak intracorporeal pressure and the intracorporeal pressure increase, compared with rats injected with control lentivirus. PDE5 expression was decreased in the siRNA treated cavernous smooth muscle. CONCLUSIONS PDE5 expression could be decreased by siRNA, resulting in prolonged cGMP accumulation and improved erection.
The Complexity of Linkage Analysis with Neural Networks

As the focus of genome-wide scans for disease loci have shifted from simple Mendelian traits to genetically complex traits, researchers have begun to consider new alternative ways to detect linkage that will consider more than the marginal effects of a single disease locus at a time. One interesting new method is to train a neural network on a genome-wide data set in order to search for the best non-linear relationship between identity-by-descent sharing among affected siblings at markers and their disease status. We investigate here the repeatability of the neural network results from run to run, and show that the results obtained by multiple runs of the neural network method may differ quite a bit. This is most likely due to the fact that training a neural network involves minimizing an error function with a multitude of local minima.
Identifying genes that interact with Drosophila presenilin and amyloid precursor protein

The γ‐secretase complex is involved in cleaving transmembrane proteins such as Notch and one of the genes targeted in Alzheimer's disease known as amyloid precursor protein (APP). Presenilins function within the catalytic core of γ‐secretase, and mutated forms of presenilins were identified as causative factors in familial Alzheimer's disease. Recent studies show that in addition to Notch and APP, numerous signal transduction pathways are modulated by presenilins, including intracellular calcium signaling. Thus, presenilins appear to have diverse roles. To further understand presenilin function, we searched for Presenilin‐interacting genes in Drosophila by performing a genetic modifier screen for enhancers and suppressors of Presenilin‐dependent Notch‐related phenotypes. We identified 177 modifiers, including known members of the Notch pathway and genes involved in intracellular calcium homeostasis. We further demonstrate that 53 of these modifiers genetically interacted with APP. Characterization of these genes may provide valuable insights into Presenilin function in development and disease. genesis 47:246–260, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Involvement of SirABC in Iron-Siderophore Import in Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus SirA was previously identified as a lipoprotein, and SirB and SirC are thought to encode the transmembrane domains of an ABC transporter. Sir proteins show similarity to iron-siderophore transporters in several bacteria. Here, we show that the iron-regulated sirABC operon is divergently transcribed from the sbn operon that encodes enzymes involved in the synthesis of staphylobactin, a recently described siderophore produced by S. aureus. Mutation of either sirA or sirB increased the resistance of iron-starved S. aureus to streptonigrin and resulted in compromised growth in iron-restricted, but not iron-rich, media. We also demonstrated that sirA and sirB mutants are compromised in the ability to transport iron complexed to staphylobactin but are not compromised for uptake of other iron complexes, such as ferric hydroxamates, ferric enterobactin, or ferric citrate. SirA- and SirB-deficient S. aureus, however, retain the ability to produce staphylobactin. Moreover, we found that transcription from the sbn operon was increased, relative to the wild type, in both sirA and sirB knockout strains, likely in response to an increased level of iron starvation in these cells. These results provide evidence of a role for these proteins in iron import in S. aureus and for full fitness of the bacterium in iron-restricted environments and demonstrate a function for S. aureus genes encoding proteins involved in the transport of an endogenously produced siderophore.
The Challenge of Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Prevention in Hemodialysis Therapy

Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections have challenged care process and resource utilization in the acute hospital care setting for nearly 30 years. These infections have become important causes of morbidity, mortality, and a source of concern in the primary and emergency care context over the past decade. As individuals receiving recurrent therapy with features of both ambulatory care and acute care, hemodialysis patients are exposed to numerous opportunities for MRSA acquisition. Surprisingly, high prevalence rates for MRSA colonization have been demonstrated for both hemodialysis patients and their care providers. The necessity of vascular access and the persistent high prevalence of endovascular catheter use among patients repeatedly exposed to healthcare settings provide the perfect milieu for the troubling rates of MRSA infection, particularly bloodstream infections, in outpatient dialysis care. Dialysis industry shifts, including increased requirements for compliance and reporting in other areas of dialysis care, tax resources for infection prevention processes. Multifaceted strategies that include reassessment of vascular access care, attention to the interruption of MRSA transmission dynamics, and emphasis on organizational learning processes are needed to accomplish a meaningful reduction in the morbidity, mortality, and cost associated with MRSA infections in dialysis care.
Pectus excavatum and adjuvant radiotherapy for early stage breast cancer: balancing dose to target versus heart

hand, in non-responding metastases no ADC increase was observed consistent with a sharp increase in the AUC at fraction 3 (Supplementary Figure 4). At fractions 5–6, the AUC became non-significant, underlining the importance of precise scan timing to obtain high prognostic value. The results of this study potentially have a two-fold application in future MR-guided radiation therapy, applying especially to the emerging MR-Linac (hybrid MR-linear accelerator system). First of all it may be possible to verify tumor coverage between fractions, and secondly, to perform early treatment adaptation in non-responding metastases [9]. Although we reported here an ability to stratify treatment response at fraction 3, four fractions earlier than reported in our recent paper [3], the data supporting this result looked more noisy. The AUC was lower and there was a smaller stable plateau. Clearly, the signal-to-noise ratio of our study needs improvement as indicated by the high level of variation in data, and results need to be confirmed in a follow-up study. Considerable variation in data may be due to differences in tumor histology and phenotype (coefficient of variation in ADC reproducibility around 3% [3]). For the same reason, the results of this study cannot be applied generally in the clinic or in clinical studies, but may serve as guidance in designing future studies. In conclusion, the common decrease in ADC measured 24 hours after the first fraction may be an effective biomarker for irradiated metastases. Further, during the next 24 hours, the differentiated ADC response was shown to have significant prognostic capacity for treatment outcome.
Urinary Hydroxyestrogens and Breast Cancer Risk among Postmenopausal Women: A Prospective Study

Background: It has been suggested that a low level of the 2-hydroxyestrogen metabolites (2-OHE) and a high level of 16α-hydroxyestrone (16α-OHE1) are associated with an enhanced risk of breast cancer. We examined the association between the metabolite levels and breast cancer in a nested case-control study, which also addressed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and estrogen receptor status of the tumors. Methods: 24,697 postmenopausal Danish women were enrolled in the “Diet, Cancer and Health” cohort. During follow-up, 426 breast cancer cases were identified and controls were matched by age at diagnosis, baseline age, and HRT use. The concentrations of 2-OHE and 16α-OHE1 in spot urine were measured by an enzyme immunoassay. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated for total and estrogen receptor–specific breast cancer and were stratified according to HRT use. Results: A higher incidence of estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer with an enhanced 2-OHE level was observed among current HRT users, IRR per doubling = 1.30 (95% CI, 1.02-1.66), whereas no association was seen among nonusers of HRT, IRR per doubling = 1.00 (95% CI, 0.69-1.45). The association between estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer and the 16α-OHE1 metabolite level was in the opposite direction but slightly weaker and statistically insignificant. For estrogen receptor–negative breast cancer, no significant associations were seen. Conclusions: The risk of breast cancer, in particular the estrogen receptor–positive type, was enhanced among postmenopausal women using estradiol-based HRT and among those who had a high 2-OHE concentration.
Moving on in academia : exploring the career experiences of professors at a UK university

This study was aimed at providing a better understanding of academic socialisation. Informed by a biographical research approach, the study explored the career experiences of 12 professors from 12 academic departments at a UK university through a series of indepth, semi-structured qualitative interviewing interviews, documentary analysis and a literature review. It set out to highlight how the academics in the study reflexively construct their academic identities and to provide some answers to the question: What is the history of how people have come to be professors? This study suggests that the transformation of these individuals' identities as academics was the outcome of active participation in various communities of practice throughout their careers. Academics continuously learn to position themselves within the various communities of practice that they choose to participate in. The professors' career stories reveal how they make sense and negotiate their identities as academics through accommodating with the power relations, ideology, cultures and ways embedded within the communities of practice of which they are members. Instead of looking at academics as passive participants, the findings provide evidence of individuals' voluntarism and agency in constructing their academic identities. This study contributes to the continuing discussion on academic socialisation through describing the experiences of academics moving through different stages in their careers. The in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviewing approach offers a fuller appreciation of the challenges and opportunities involved in academic socialisation. Demystifying the career experiences of academics may benefit others in academia in navigating their future career undertakings.
Does the Gender of Top Managers and Owners Matter for Firm Exports?

ABSTRACT How are export propensity and intensity affected by gender? Data from the World Bank's Enterprise Surveys (waves 2006–07, 2009–10) are used in a cross-country analysis to investigate whether export propensity and intensity differ according to the gender of top managers and entrepreneurs. Exporting is riskier than selling domestically and women, on average, tend to be more risk averse than men. Exporting entails costs, and women may have reduced access to finance compared to men. Most firms managed or solely owned by women are young and small and may have more difficulty obtaining credit. Women may self-select into routine sectors with lower mean productivity. Unlike most previous research, here the gender effect only takes into account firms where women have decision-making power. Accounting for the endogeneity of firm productivity, firm self-selection into exporting, and several factors influencing export propensity and intensity, the gender effect operates indirectly via some of those factors.
Calculation of a Toxic Potential Indicator Via Chinese‐Language Material Safety Data Sheets

This article presents an approach to evaluating the toxic potential for products or materials using Chinese‐language material safety data sheets (MSDSs). The toxic potential indicator (TPI) is one of many simple methods used to evaluate the environmental impact of toxins in products and materials. According to actual application experience in Taiwan, difficulties and problems arise in the preliminary implementation of TPI values calculated via Chinese‐language MSDSs. Some adjustment techniques combining Chinese vocabulary conversion and unit transformation are proposed in this article to overcome these obstacles. The proposed procedures and evaluated results can serve as a basis for environmentally conscious product design, especially with regard to the choice of materials used in Chinese‐speaking countries.
Costs of heart disease and risk behaviour: Implications for expenditure on prevention

Aims: The objective of this paper is firstly to estimate the healthcare costs attributable to heart disease in Denmark using recently available data for 2002—05. Secondly, to estimate the attributable healthcare costs of lifestyle risk factors among heart patients, in order to inform decision making about prevention programmes specifically targeting patients with heart disease. Methods: For a cohort consisting of participants in a national representative health interview survey, register-based information about hospital diagnosis was used to identify patients with heart disease. Healthcare consumption during 2002— 05 among individuals developing heart disease during 2002—05 was compared with individuals free of heart disease. Healthcare costs attributable to heart disease were estimated by linear regression with adjustment for confounding factors. The attributable costs of excess drinking, physical inactivity and smoking among future heart patients were estimated with the same method. Results: Individuals with heart disease cost the healthcare system on average 3195 (p<0.0001) per person-year more than individuals without heart disease. The attributable cost of unhealthy lifestyle factors among individuals at risk of heart disease was about 11%—16% of the attributable cost of heart disease. Conclusions: Heart disease incurs significant additional costs to the healthcare sector, and more so if heart patients have a history of leading an unhealthy life. Consequently, strategies to prevent or cease unhealthy lifestyle may not only result in cost savings due to avoided heart disease. Additional cost savings may be obtained because heart patients who prior to the disease led a more healthy life consume fewer healthcare resources.
What is the public appetite for healthy eating policies? Evidence from a cross-European survey

Abstract World Health Organization estimates that obesity accounts for 2–8% of health care costs in different parts of Europe, and highlights a key role for national policymaking in curbing the epidemic. A variety of healthy-eating policy instruments are available, ranging from more paternalistic policies to those less intrusive. Our aim is to measure and explain the level of public support for different types of healthy eating policy in Europe, based on data from a probabilistic sample of 3003 respondents in five European countries. We find that the main drivers of policy support are attitudinal factors, especially attribution of obesity to excessive availability of unhealthy foods, while socio-demographic characteristics and political preferences have little explanatory power. A high level of support for healthy eating policy does not translate into acceptance of higher taxes to fund them, however.
The Role of Technology and Nontechnology Shocks in Business Cycles

This article proposes a method to identify technology and nontechnology shocks that permanently affect labor productivity and applies this method to data for the G7 countries. In most cases, whereas technology improvements have negative or weak effects on hours worked, positive permanent nontechnology shocks are expansionary. Permanent nontechnology shocks play an important role in business cycles, particularly in the United States and Japan, and account for 71% of a large reduction in Japan's detrended output from 1991 to 2002. Credit conditions are likely to be an important driver of variations in permanent nontechnology shocks.
Effect of iodide concentration on thyroxine synthesis catalysed by thyroid peroxidase.

Thyroglobulin with a low content of iodine atoms per molecule of protein was incubated with thyroid peroxidase and increasing iodine concentrations (0.01 to 4 mM). 1 When iodide was in great excess (4 mM), I2 was the only product, protein iodination being markedly or completely inhibited. At low iodide concentrations (0.2 mM and below) no I2 was formed. A clear competition between these two possible reactions catalysed by thyroid peroxidase was therefore demonstrated. 2 When iodide concentration was less than 0.5 mM, thyroid peroxidase catalysed only the iodination of thyroglobulin. Thyroid hormones began to accumulate when the iodination reaction leveled off. Different observations suggest that thyroxine was synthesised mainly by the coupling of two diiodotyrosine residues rather than by the iodination of 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine residues. 3 With very low iodide concentration, the synthesis of hormones began soon after the formation of hormonogenic residues. However the iodination reaction being faster than the coupling reaction, highly iodinated thyroglobulin could be obtained which did not contain thyroid hormones. From these results it appears that thyroid peroxidase is able to enter into at least three reactions: iodide peroxidation, tyrosine residues iodination and coupling of iodotyrosine residues to thyroid hormones. Surprisingly, this relative unspecificity of thyroid peroxidase may have some regulatory physiological significance.