Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combatting corruption in Southern Africa : an examination of anti-corruption agencies in Botswana, South Africa and Namibia

This thesis examines the work of anti-corruption agencies in Botswana, South Africa and Namibia. It argues that these agencies have produced disappointing results in terms of investigating and prosecuting high-level corruption. It suggests five main reasons for this failure. First, anti-corruption agencies have suffered from a lack of resources resulting from lack of political support and the general problem of economic underdevelopment. Second, there is a lack of political will' to prosecute high-level corruption. Third, even if there was such a will, anticorruption agencies, by their very. nature, are unable to affect the underlying political pressures which promote corruption and, therefore, their successes need to be limited to individual cases. Fourth, the model on which such agencies have been based is inappropriate to the African setting and assumes conditions that cannot be replicated in the subcontinent. And finally, these factors suggest that the purpose of anti-corruption agencies in Africa might possibly have more to do with reassuring investors and aid donors in an age of globalisation. than with actually attacking high-level corruption, an activity that would, after all, undermine the fragile political elites of these countries. The dissertation first evaluates the destructive character of corruption in Africa and attempts to control it through anti-corruption reform. It then proceeds to an analysis of the problem, and the agencies set up to deal with it, in each of the three country cases. The dissertation concludes with a comparison of the effectiveness of the anti-corruption agencies in the three countries.
Measles Virus Mutants Possessing the Fusion Protein with Enhanced Fusion Activity Spread Effectively in Neuronal Cells, but Not in Other Cells, without Causing Strong Cytopathology

ABSTRACT Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is caused by persistent measles virus (MV) infection in the central nervous system (CNS). Since human neurons, its main target cells, do not express known MV receptors (signaling lymphocyte activation molecule [SLAM] and nectin 4), it remains to be understood how MV infects and spreads in them. We have recently reported that fusion-enhancing substitutions in the extracellular domain of the MV fusion (F) protein (T461I and S103I/N462S/N465S), which are found in multiple SSPE virus isolates, promote MV spread in human neuroblastoma cell lines and brains of suckling hamsters. In this study, we show that hyperfusogenic viruses with these substitutions also spread efficiently in human primary neuron cultures without inducing syncytia. These substitutions were found to destabilize the prefusion conformation of the F protein trimer, thereby enhancing fusion activity. However, these hyperfusogenic viruses exhibited stronger cytopathology and produced lower titers at later time points in SLAM- or nectin 4-expressing cells compared to the wild-type MV. Although these viruses spread efficiently in the brains of SLAM knock-in mice, they did not in the spleens. Taken together, the results suggest that enhanced fusion activity is beneficial for MV to spread in neuronal cells where no cytopathology occurs, but detrimental to other types of cells due to strong cytopathology. Acquisition of enhanced fusion activity through substitutions in the extracellular domain of the F protein may be crucial for MV's extensive spread in the CNS and development of SSPE. IMPORTANCE Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a fatal disease caused by persistent measles virus (MV) infection in the central nervous system (CNS). Its cause is not well understood, and no effective therapy is currently available. Recently, we have reported that enhanced fusion activity of MV through the mutations in its fusion protein is a major determinant of efficient virus spread in human neuronal cells and brains of suckling hamsters. In this study, we show that those mutations render the conformation of the fusion protein less stable, thereby making it hyperfusogenic. Our results also show that enhanced fusion activity is beneficial for MV to spread in the CNS but detrimental to other types of cells in peripheral tissues, which are strongly damaged by the virus. Our findings provide important insight into the mechanism for the development of SSPE after MV infection.
A Social Network Approach to Portfolio Selection with Unsuspicious and Suspicious Agents

I introduce a simple model for simulating portfolio selection, based on a social network, word-of-mouth communication and unsuspicious and suspicious agents. It has been demonstrated that risk and returns are two decisive determinants in portfolio selection, with risk being highly pronounced. It has also been demonstrated that preserving liquidity is essential for the normal functioning of the selection process. Although agents follow only the returns of the portfolios they have and make decisions based on realized returns, they are capable of investing according to the efficient frontier hypothesis. The slightly more dispersed selection by suspicious agents is a consequence of their slight failure to conduct a “winner takes all” principle, even though they identify the same “winners” as unsuspicious agents do. This conclusion is supported in both bull and bear markets, except that agents take on more risk in the former. Agents do not prefer excessively diversified portfolios. In all cases, agents behave very consistently on their winning or losing choices.
Human-Derived Alternatives to Fetal Bovine Serum in Cell Culture

SummaryObjective: The need for an alternative to fetal bovine serum (FBS) is known to scientists and users involved in cell therapy or advanced therapy medicinal products. Human serum (huS) and platelet lysate (hPL) can be used as alternatives resulting in similar or even superior results concerning cell expansion. Methods: We developed protocols for the production of huS and two types of hPL and tested them in the expansion of human fibroblasts and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASC). Quality control included cell counts (platelets, red and white blood cells), sterility testing, pH levels, total protein concentrations and growth factor levels. ASC and fibroblasts were expanded for three passages in media supplemented with FBS, huS or hPL and evaluated microscopically. Proliferation in terms of population doubling times (PDT) was determined. In case of ASC, differentiation was performed as well. Results: All three alternatives demonstrated shorter PDT for fibroblasts and ASC compared to FBS. Furthermore, ASC maintained their differentiation potential. Conclusion: We conclude that hPL and huS can be used as alternatives to FBS for the cultivation and expansion of cells intended for human use.
AdDelta24 and the p53-expressing variant AdDelta24-p53 achieve potent anti-tumor activity in glioma when combined with radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND The conditionally replicating adenovirus (CRAd) AdDelta24-p53 replicates selectively in Rb mutant cells, and encodes the p53 suppressor protein. It has shown improved oncolytic potency compared to the parental control AdDelta24. As exogenous p53 has been shown to enhance radiosensitivity, the combination of AdDelta24-p53 and AdDelta24 with radiotherapy was assessed in vitro and in vivo against the therapy resistant gliomas. METHODS In glioma cells, multicellular spheroids and animal xenografts the efficacy of combination therapy was assessed. P53 phosphorylation, induction of apoptosis and viral replication were determined following single or combination therapies. RESULTS In vitro, AdDelta24-p53 was more effective against glioma cells than the control AdDelta24. Addition of irradiation equally increased the efficacy of both AdDelta24-p53 and AdDelta24 resulting in improved oncolysis compared to single agent treatment. Radiotherapy did not significantly change the replication kinetics of AdDelta24-p53 or AdDelta24. No detectable increase in p53 phosphorylation was observed but combination of radiotherapy and AdDelta24-p53 caused an increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells. In vivo, combination therapy with either AdDelta24 or AdDelta24-p53 significantly increased the number of mice demonstrating tumor regression (100%) as well as long-term survival (50%). No differences between viruses were noted. CONCLUSIONS Exogenous p53 expression does not appear to increase the synergistic interaction of CRAds combined with radiotherapy. These results however do indicate that radiotherapy provides the time frame in which AdDelta24 and AdDelta24-p53 can eradicate established tumors that would otherwise escape treatment, and establishes the need to combine these modalities to form an effective anti-cancer treatment.
THE HANFORD THYROID DISEASE STUDY: AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW OF THE FINDINGS

The Hanford Thyroid Disease Study (HTDS) is one of the largest and most complex epidemiologic studies of the relation between environmental exposures to 131I and thyroid disease. The study detected no dose-response relation using a 0.05 level for statistical significance. The results for thyroid cancer appear inconsistent with those from other studies of populations with similar exposures, and either reflect inadequate statistical power, bias, or unique relations between exposure and disease risk. In this paper, we explore these possibilities, and present evidence that the HTDS statistical power was inadequate due to complex uncertainties associated with the mathematical models and assumptions used to reconstruct individual doses. We conclude that, at the very least, the confidence intervals reported by the HTDS for thyroid cancer and other thyroid diseases are too narrow because they fail to reflect key uncertainties in the measurement-error structure. We recommend that the HTDS results be interpreted as inconclusive rather than as evidence for little or no disease risk from Hanford exposures.
Territorial Capital and the Effectiveness of Cohesion Policies: an Assessment for CEE Regions

On May 1st 2004, 10 Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries joined the EU and became fully eligible for communitarian financial support. While the conditions for eligibility are the same, at regional level CEE territories are characterized by very different socioeconomic settings. In particular, different regions are differently endowed with what has been labelled “territorial capital’, so that the endowment of public and private, material and immaterial assets significantly varies across regions, including infrastructure, private capital, human and social capital. This set of territorial conditions, enabling economic development to take place, is here assumed to impact the outcome of cohesion policies as well. This paper is hence aimed at assessing the role of specific territorial conditions on the efficient implementation of cohesion policies in CEE NUTS3 regions. The analysis points out the mechanisms through which the endowment of specific territorial assets affects the outcome of Cohesion policies. It appears that for a large number of territorial capital assets, increasing returns are present and regions more endowed with specific types of territorial capital are more able to gain from policy investment in related fields.
High technology localization and extra-regional networks

Firms in spatial concentrations of advanced-technology activities do not constrain their knowledge inputs to opportunities found within their industrial cluster. Rather, firms seeking extra-regional markets augment their in-house resources by means of material (embodied technology) and knowledge inputs obtained from sources at the extra-regional scale in addition to within the region. Literature is reviewed on the clustering of firms and their network geography, models of open and closed industrial systems, and absorptive capacity. The latter is used to interpret the search for knowledge undertaken by firms, which are discussed in terms of their organizational differences and strategic choices. A sample of manufacturing establishments from the electronics cluster in the Toronto metropolitan region (Canada) shows firms that are export-intensive have significantly stronger international input connections, especially with consultants and alliance partners. Export orientation is associated with higher levels of expenditure on the in-house generation of knowledge, more innovation inputs from external sources, and distinctive network geographies. Differences in network relations occur within and between three organizational groups of firms – foreign affiliates, multi-location and single-location domestic firms. Geographically wide-ranging networks are interpreted in terms of opportunities in extra-regional locations compared with local supplies. Regional innovation policy implications are considered.
Prospective study of cigarette smoking and the risk of primary open-angle glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE To examine the association between cigarette smoking and incident primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS Female nurses and male health professionals were prospectively followed up from 1980 and 1986, respectively, to 1996. Participants were at least 40 years old, were free of diagnosed glaucoma at baseline, and reported being examined by an ophthalmologist or optometrist during follow-up. Smoking history and other POAG risk factors were updated with biennial questionnaires. A total of 450 incident cases of POAG were identified. Both cohort-specific proportional hazards analyses and analyses pooled across cohorts were conducted. RESULTS After controlling for potential risk factors of POAG, including age, hypertension, and African American heritage, neither current smokers (relative risk, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-1.18) nor past smokers (relative risk, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-1.32) were at greater risk for POAG than those who had never smoked. Heavier smoking did not increase the risk of POAG. A modest inverse association was observed with pack-years of smoking: those with 30 or more pack-years had a 22% reduced risk of POAG (relative risk, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.55-1.11; P for linear trend,.06) than those who had never smoked. CONCLUSION Cigarette smoking is not an important risk factor for POAG.
Does Locational Choice Matter?

The authors examine the locational patterns of three subsidized housing programs—conventional project-based, section 8 assisted rental, and shelter plus care supported housing for the severely mentally ill and homeless—in Phoenix, Arizona. They demonstrate that these programs are reinforcing the existing concentrations of the three types of subsidized housing in some Phoenix neighborhoods. The findings for Phoenix suggest that voucher and certificate policies designed to deconcentrate the poor are not achieving some of their major objectives. Indeed, the policies pursued by different providers of subsidized housing may cumulatively lead to increasing concentrations of all such housing in tracts that are already compromised by concentrations of the urban poor.
Determinants of Market Integration and Price Transmission in Indonesia

This paper investigates the determinants of price differences and market integration among Indonesian provinces using data from retail cooking oil, rice, and sugar markets during the period 1993–2007; and wholesale maize and soybean markets during the period 1992–2006. We measure the degree of integration across provinces using cointegration techniques and calculate average price differences and use regression analysis to understand the drivers of price differences and market integration. For rice and sugar, we find wide market integration and low price differences in the range of 5–12 per cent. For maize, soybeans, and cooking oil, we find less integration and higher price differences (16–22 per cent). Integration across provinces is explained by the remoteness and quality of transport infrastructure of a province. Price differences across provinces respond to variations in provincial characteristics, such as remoteness; transport infrastructure; output of the commodity; land productivity; and income per capita.
Irish and British Historical Electricity Prices and Implications for the Future

This paper compares retail and wholesale electricity prices in SEM, the market of the island of Ireland, and BETTA in Great Britain. Wholesale costs are much lower in BETTA. We show that this is mostly because the wholesale price in BETTA is set too low to cover generation costs, although it is compensated by large retail margins. The substantial need for new investment in generation in Great Britain suggests that returns to generators will have to increase. Developing a market mechanism to compensate generators fairly while simultaneously reducing retail revenue will help in achieving this goal.
Glaucoma Drainage Implants in the Treatment of Refractory Glaucoma in Pediatric Patients

Purpose The aim of this study is to report the clinical course, effectiveness, and safety of glaucoma drainage implants (Molteno and Baerveldt devices) in primary and secondary childhood glaucomas refractory to conventional surgical treatments and medical therapy. Methods This retrospective study included 76 children (76 eyes) younger than 18 years who underwent glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation in our clinic between 1990 and 2004. The mean age at time of surgery was 6.9±5.3 years (range: 4 months to 17.5 years). Intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, corneal diameter, axial length, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and number of glaucoma medications were evaluated. Criteria for success were defined as IOP between 7 and 22 mmHg with or without glaucoma medications, no further glaucoma surgery, the absence of visually threatening complications, and no loss of light perception. Results were compared for children with primary and secondary glaucomas. The mean follow-up was 7.1±6.5 years (range: 1.6 to 15.2 years). Results Mean preoperative and postoperative IOP was 33.6±11.4 mmHg and 17.1±6.5 mmHg (p<0.001), respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed cumulative probability of success: 93% at 6 months, 91% at 1 year, 82% at 2 years, 76% at 3 years, 71% at 4 years, 67% at 5 years, and 65% at 6 years. There was no difference between patients with primary (n=31 eyes) and secondary glaucoma (n=45 eyes) in terms of cumulative success (p=0.186), final IOP, number of medications, or length of follow-up. On average, the GDI surgery was successful for a mean period of 6.7 years. Fourteen eyes of 76 (18.4%) failed: 10 eyes with uncontrolled IOP, 2 eyes with retinal detachment, and 2 eyes with no light perception. Statistical regression model did not show influence of gender and previous surgery. Lower age at the time of surgery was found to be associated with higher probability of treatment failure. Conclusions Molteno and Baerveldt glaucoma drainage implants surgery seems to be safe and effective treatment for primary and secondary pediatric glaucoma refractory to the initial surgical procedure and medical therapy.
The challenges of developing backpacker tourism in South Africa: an enterprise perspective

Since the democratic transition, South Africa has become an increasingly popular destination for backpacker tourism. This article analyses the challenges facing the development of backpacker tourism in South Africa by presenting the findings of a national survey of suppliers of backpacker accommodation. It argues that the industry confronts several challenges, inter alia lack of recognition, poor international marketing, inadequate support and understanding from provincial and local governments, difficulty in accessing finance, and a weak national industry association.
Granulocyte-Macrophage Precursor Cell and Colony-Stimulating Factor Responses of Mice Infected with Salmonella typhimurium

The response of granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (in vitro colony-forming cells) and of colony-stimulating (CS) factor in serum were studied in mice infected intraperitoneally with 103 viable Salmonella typhimurium. Increases in the number of colony-forming cells in marrow and spleen and increases in the serum level of CS factor occurred during the infection. There was no evidence to suggest that progressive infection was associated with failure of macrophage production. Medium rich in CS factor increased the bactericidal activity of macrophages in vitro and it was suggested that CS factor could be involved in macrophage activation.
ECONOMY-WIDE BENEFITS FROM ESTABLISHING WATER USER-RIGHT MARKETS IN A SPATIALLY HETEROGENEOUS AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY

This paper analyzes the economy-wide gains obtainable from the allocation of surface irrigation water to its most productive use, and evaluates a decentralized mechanism for achieving this result in a spatially heterogeneous environment. The focus country for the analysis is Morocco. The analysis is based on a general equilibrium model that, in addition to the rest of the economy, captures 82 agricultural production activities, 66 of which are in seven separately identified water districts that span the entire country. The results suggest that a decentralized water trading mechanism could increase agricultural output by 8.3 percent, affect the rental rates of other agricultural inputs at the national level, including labor, and have economy-wide effects that entail modest declines in the cost of living, an increase in aggregate consumption, and expansion of international trade.
Role of the duplicated CCAAT box region in gamma‐globin gene regulation and hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin.

Hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin (HPFH) is a clinically important condition in which a change in the developmental specificity of the gamma‐globin genes results in varying levels of expression of fetal haemoglobin in the adult. The condition is benign and can significantly alleviate the symptoms of thalassaemia or sickle cell anaemia when co‐inherited with these disorders. We have examined structure‐function relationships in the −117 HPFH gamma promoter by analysing the effect of mutating specific promoter elements on the functioning of the wild‐type and HPFH promoters. We find that CCAAT box mutants dramatically affect expression from the HPFH promoter in adult blood but have little effect on embryonic/fetal expression from the wild‐type promoter. Our results suggest that there are substantial differences in the structure of the wild‐type gamma promoter expressed early in development and the adult HPFH promoter. Together with previous results, this suggests that gamma silencing is a complex multifactorial phenomenon rather than being the result of a simple repressor binding to the promoter. We present a model for gamma‐globin gene silencing that has significant implications for attempts to reactivate the gamma promoters in human adults by pharmacological means.