Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of the price elasticity of sunflower supply in Kenya

The production of sunflower and other oil crops in Kenya has been low and declining over the years. In order to feed its population, Kenya has over the years been importing vegetable oils and fats in form of crude palm oil and thus utilising its limited reserves of foreign exchange, which could otherwise be used to finance other development projects. T his trend is expected to continue as domestic consumption still far outweighs local production. For instance, the consumption o f vegetable oils and fats in Kenya is currently estimated to be over 200,000 tonnes per annum while domestic production is only about 20,000 tonnes. The difference has to be imported. The present study aimed at establishing the effects o f various factors, especially price changes, on the production of oil crops with particular reference to sunflower. The study was prompted by the present Government policy objective of saving foreign exchange through increased domestic production o f the major crops, especially oil crops, as documented in the current National Development Plan (1994-96). The double logarithmic version of the Nerlovian Partial Adjustment Model was used to estimate the supply responsiveness of sunflower farmers in the major producing districts, namely Meru, Bungoma and Trans-Nzoia districts. The data set used in the analysis range from the years 1970 to 1992. The results revealed that sunflower farmers responded positively to price changes in Meru District but negatively in Bungoma and Trans-Nzoia districts. The first hypothesis, which assumed that sunflower farmers respond positively to price changes, was therefore accepted for Meru District but rejected for Bungoma and Trans-Nzoia districts. The calculated short-run price elasticities o f supply range from a value o f -0.06 to 0.74. The second hypothesis was tested by means o f the Chow test and revealed that the degree of supply responsiveness o f sunflower farmers varies from one
Surgical Resection of the Primary Tumor in Stage IV Colorectal Cancer Without Metastasectomy Is Associated With Improved Overall Survival Compared With Chemotherapy/Radiation Therapy Alone

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists over whether resection of the primary tumor in stage IV colorectal cancer with inoperable metastases improves patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether resection of the primary tumor without metastasectomy in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer is associated with improved overall survival compared with patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy alone. DESIGN: This was a retrospective review of a multi-institutional dataset. SETTINGS: This study was conducted in all participating commission on cancer (CoC)-accredited facilities. PATIENTS: The 2003–2006 National Cancer Data Base was reviewed to identify patients with stage IV adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum who underwent palliative treatment without curative intent, either in the form of surgical resection of the primary tumor without metastasectomy consisting of a colectomy or rectal resection with or without chemotherapy and/or radiation or chemotherapy and/or radiation alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Groups were compared for baseline characteristics. Overall survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis before and after propensity matching with a 1:1 nearest-neighbor algorithm. RESULTS: Of the 1446 patients included in the analysis, 231 (16%) underwent surgical resection of the primary tumor without metastasectomy. Surgical resection was associated with a significant survival benefit on unadjusted analysis (median survival, 9.2 vs 7.6 months; p < 0.01). After propensity matching to adjust for nonrandom treatment selection, surgical resection continued to be associated with a significant survival benefit (median survival, 9.2 vs 7.3 months; p < 0.01). LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by the potential for selection bias regarding which patients received surgical resection. There was also a lack of data regarding the indication for operation, specifically whether a patient was symptomatic or asymptomatic before resection. The inability to account for tumor size or grade among patients who did not receive surgical resection was another limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection of the primary tumor without metastasectomy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer is associated with improved survival as compared with chemotherapy/radiation therapy alone. Additional research is necessary to determine which patients may benefit from this intervention.
Three‐dimensional analysis of mandibular growth and tooth eruption

Normal and abnormal jaw growth and tooth eruption are topics of great importance for several dental and medical disciplines. Thus far, clinical studies on these topics have used two‐dimensional (2D) radiographic techniques. The purpose of the present study was to analyse normal mandibular growth and tooth eruption in three dimensions based on computer tomography (CT) scans, extending the principles of mandibular growth analysis proposed by Björk in 1969 from two to three dimensions. As longitudinal CT data from normal children are not available (for ethical reasons), CT data from children with Apert syndrome were employed, because it has been shown that the mandible in Apert syndrome is unaffected by the malformation, and these children often have several craniofacial CT scans performed during childhood for planning of cranial and midface surgery and for follow‐up after surgery. A total of 49 datasets from ten children with Apert syndrome were available for study. The number of datasets from each individual ranged from three to seven. The first CT scan in each of the ten series was carried out before 1 year of age, and the ages for the 49 scans ranged from 1 week to 14.5 years. The mandible and the teeth were segmented and iso‐surfaces generated. Landmarks were placed on the surface of the mandible, along the mandibular canals, the inner contour of the cortical plate at the lower border of the symphysis menti, and on the teeth. Superimposition of the mandibles in the longitudinal series was performed using the symphysis menti and the mandibular canals as suggested by Björk. The study supported the findings of stability of the symphysis menti and the mandibular canals as seen in profile view previously reported by Björk & Skieller in 1983. However, the mandibular canals were, actually, relocated laterally during growth. Furthermore, the position of tooth buds remained relatively stable inside the jaw until root formation started. Eruption paths of canines and premolars were vertical, whereas molars erupted in a lingual direction. The 3D method would seem to offer new insight into jaw growth and tooth eruption, but further studies are needed.
Indian Consumers of Handicrafts Shaped by Globalization: A Profiling based on Materialism, Consumer Ethnocentrism, and World-Mindedness

Background/Objectives : This study attempts to segment Indian handicraft consumers on the basis of three cultural dispositions stimulated by globalization, viz. consumer ethnocentrism, materialism, and world-mindedness. Methods/Statistical analysis : An exploratory factor analysis was run for a dataset of 202 responses collected from a sample prepared by judgmental sampling technique and using a self-administered 33 item questionnaire. A combination of hierarchical and non-hierarchical cluster analysis was performed based on the regression factor scores. A two-step cluster analysis was finally performed to explore the demographic as well as psychographic profiles of respondents. Findings : Five clusters were obtained namely culturally oriented, non-materialistic, non-generous, materialistic and envious. Descriptive profiles of those clusters were developed along with their market targeting implications. Comparing the clusters, two very distinguished clusters emerged namely “materialistic” and “non-materialistic” which have diametrically opposite properties. One of the findings is in consensus with the existing finding i.e. ethnocentrism and materialism do not contradict each other. The findings were developed from a combined study of three cultural dispositions which points to the complex consequences of globalization and shows that consumer preferences in contemporary society are not based on compartmentalized values and hence calls for richer exploration. The results add value to the existing reports by delving into the complex interplay of homogeneity and heterogeneity in consumer preferences which have been developing due to contemporary social change in India. Improvements : Handicraft marketers can get further insights for segmenting Indian consumers on the studied dimensions. The artisan communities can become more competitive by such segmentation.
The interplay of glycosylation and disulfide formation influences fibrillization in a prion protein fragment

It is now accepted that the structural transition from cellular prion protein (PrPC) to proteinase K-resistant prion protein scrapie (PrPSc) is the major event leading to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Although the mechanism of this transition remains elusive, glycosylation has been proposed to impede the PrPC to PrPSc conversion. To address the role of glycosylation, we have prepared glycosylated and unglycosylated peptides derived from the 175–195 fragment of the human prion protein. Comparison of the structure, aggregation kinetics, fibril formation capabilities, and redox susceptibility of Cys-179 has shown that the N-linked glycan (at Asn-181) significantly reduces the rate of fibrillization by promoting intermolecular disulfide formation via Cys-179. Further-more, the aggressive fibrillization of a C179S mutant of this fragment highlights the significant role of disulfide stability in retarding the rate of fibril formation. The implications of these studies are discussed in the context of fibril formation in the intact prion protein.
Archaeology and the Reconstruction of History

The principal aim of archaeology is the reconstruction of history. How archaeology plays this part is usually not very clearly thought out, although Rouse has made a good attempt. In the reconstruction of history, we deal with human social units. These social units are composed of animals which reproduce their kind, inherit biological traits, mutate, evolve, take in food, give off waste products, react to their environment, die, and, in so doing, behave fundamentally like other animals. Moreover, the animals have a language, form part of a social pattern, have ideas of the supernatural and what we can call religion, and can manufacture certain objects in a certain way. These animals are grouped into families composed of mother, father, and children. They are further grouped into extended families, sibs, or clans made up of real or fancied relatives. A number of extended families under the leadership of one man or a group of men forms a political group.
Macroeconomic Policy Impact On Oncology-Related Public Expenditure In An Emerging European Market – Signs Of Early Recovery

ABSTRACT Healthcare financing in Serbia has faced many challenges over the past few decades. One of the most severe challenges is a global macroeconomic recession whose far-reaching consequences deserve particular attention from policymakers in cases of the most demanding major prosperity diseases, such as cancer. The objective of the study was to assess the precise cost matrix of oncology medical care and its chronological evolution during the key years of the macroeconomic recessionary period during 2010-2013. A retrospective database of hospital discharge invoices was analysed, encompassing 37, 978 hospital admissions and 12, 505 patients during a four-year period. Insight into microeconomic patterns of consumption across groups of medical services was provided. A payer's perspective and one-year time horizon have been adopted. Total hospital direct medical costs of cancer diagnostics and treatment in the observed tertiary care facility decreased from €7, 411, 446 in 2010 to €5, 715, 884 in 2012 and then increased to an extraordinary €8, 536, 364 in 2013. The costs of oncology nursing care, imaging diagnostics and radiotherapy have increased considerably while those of pharmaceuticals and surgery have decreased radically - completely transforming the resource allocation landscape of public cancer care. The financial burden of cancer in Serbia is considerable and, unfortunately, expected to increase further in the coming years. Worldwide economic recession and consecutive domestic policy constraints of reimbursement limitations have heavily affected the affordability of cancer treatment for ordinary citizens. Promising signs of market recovery are clearly visible in 2013, which will likely improve both access and equity of medical care in Serbian oncology clinics.
The International Bank Lending Channel of Monetary Policy Rates and QE: Credit Supply, Reach-for-Yield, and Real Effects

We identify the international credit channel of monetary policy by analyzing the universe of corporate loans in Mexico, matched with firm and bank balance-sheet data, and by exploiting foreign monetary policy shocks, given the large presence of European and U.S. banks in Mexico. We find that a softening of foreign monetary policy increases the supply of credit of foreign banks to Mexican firms. Each regional policy shock affects supply via their respective banks (for example, U.K. monetary policy affects credit supply in Mexico via U.K. banks), in turn implying strong real effects, with substantially larger elasticities from monetary rates than QE. Moreover, low foreign monetary policy rates and expansive QE increase disproportionally more the supply of credit to borrowers with higher ex ante loan rates -- reach-for-yield -- and with substantially higher ex post loan defaults, thus suggesting an international risk-taking channel of monetary policy. All in all, the results suggest that foreign QE increases risk-taking in emerging markets more than it improves the real outcomes of firms.
College challenge to ensure “timely graduation”: Understanding college students’ mindsets during the financial crisis

ABSTRACT Since mid-2007, the United States has experienced the direst economic recession since the Great Depression. While considerable institutional resources have been spent on boosting 4-year graduation rates, many college students purposefully delayed graduation, waiting to enter the labor market until the overall economic situation had improved. The survey results suggested that students who were unemployed, who knew someone being laid off, who were pessimistic about the job market, or who targeted private industry jobs tended to stay in school longer. These results support the well-documented warehouse hypothesis: that students use schools as warehouses to shield themselves from the deteriorating job market.
Eat smart! Workplace Cafeteria Program evaluation of the nutrition component.

PURPOSE The nutrition component of the Eat Smart! Workplace Cafeteria Program (ESWCP) in a hospital was evaluated. We assessed staff's frequency of visits to and purchases in the hospital cafeteria, attitudes about the program, short-term eating behaviour change, and suggestions to improve the ESWCP. METHODS Questionnaires were sent to hospital staff members who were not on leave (n=504). Dillman's Tailored Design Method was used to design and implement the survey. Four mail-outs were used and yielded a 51% response rate. RESULTS Eighty-seven percent of respondents visited the hospital cafeteria at least once a week in an average seven-day week, and 69% purchased one to five meals or snacks there each week. Eighty-six percent of respondents said that they were aware of the hospital's program. Notices on cafeteria tables were the primary method of learning about the program (67%). Reported program benefits included increased knowledge about healthy eating, convenience of having healthy foods in the cafeteria, and increased energy. CONCLUSION Many respondents were aware of the program, provided positive comments about it, and reported positive changes in eating habits. However, future observational research is warranted to note foods served and sold before and after program implementation, as well as to examine whether results can be generalized to other settings.
Inflation, Exchange Rates and the World Economy

The previous editions of this work were praised as lucid and insightful introductions to a complicated subject. This third edition incorporates major additions to update the survey while retaining its clarity. Selected from the second edition are essential chapters on developments in balance-of-payments theories, inflation and exchange rates, the international adjustment to the oil price rise, and monetary integration in Europe. In three new chapters, Corden considers the international transmission of economic disturbances, the international macrosystem, and macroeconomic policy coordination.
Immunoadsorption in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Different Techniques and their Current Role in Medical Therapy

Abstract: In the last 30 years, several studies have documented the effect of plamapheresis and immunoadsorption in eliminating pathogenic autoantibodies (AB) and immune complexes (IC) from circulation of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, these extracorporeal therapies are still not accepted as first line options, which may be because of existing controlled studies failing to confirm any obvious benefit. Immunoadsorption offers some advantages compared with plasmapheresis, but until today only the avoidance of any substitution fluids has really been used. The new therapeutic options given by immunoadsorbers—a continuous application in acute disease states or chronic use instead of immunosuppressive drugs—have still to be evaluated in systemic autoimmune diseases. To date published studies of immunoadsorption in patients with SLE reveal good efficacy in a majority of patients combined with excellent biocompatibility. Randomized controlled trials are mandatory to give continued support to the therapeutic opportunities offered only by immunoadsorption; the limited number of patients suitable for this therapy necessitates multicentric cooperation.
Pole-Zero Modeling and Classification of Phonocardiograms

Phonocardiography, the analysis of heart sounds, is a noninvasive diagnostic method useful in studying heart valve function. Phonocardiograms (PCG's) of porcine prosthetic heart valves in the aortic position were analyzed by a parametric signal modeling method in order to derive frequency domain features suitable for the classification of the valve state.
ACCP Clinical Pharmacist Competencies

The purpose of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) is to advance human health by extending the frontiers of clinical pharmacy. Consistent with this mission and its core values, ACCP is committed to ensuring that clinical pharmacists possess the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to deliver comprehensive medication management (CMM) in team‐based, direct patient care environments. These components form the basis for the core competencies of a clinical pharmacist and reflect the competencies of other direct patient care providers. This paper is an update to a previous ACCP document and includes the expectation that clinical pharmacists be competent in six essential domains: direct patient care, pharmacotherapy knowledge, systems‐based care and population health, communication, professionalism, and continuing professional development. Although these domains align with the competencies of physician providers, they are specifically designed to better reflect the clinical pharmacy expertise required to provide CMM in patient‐centered, team‐based settings. Clinical pharmacists must be prepared to complete the education and training needed to achieve these competencies and must commit to ongoing efforts to maintain competence through ongoing professional development. Collaboration among stakeholders will be needed to ensure that these competencies guide clinical pharmacists’ professional development and evaluation by educational institutions, postgraduate training programs, professional societies, and employers.
Frequent occurrence of loss of heterozygosity among tumor suppressor genes in uterine leiomyosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE Leiomyosarcoma of the uterus is a rare smooth muscle tumor; it is extremely malignant and the rates of local recurrence and metastasis are high. Since tumor suppressor genes are commonly altered in malignant tumors, it is possible that mutations in such genes are involved in the development of uterine leiomyosarcoma. METHODS Fifty-five patients (37-70 years of age) diagnosed as having smooth muscle tumors of the uterus were selected. DNA was extracted from four or five 8-microm-thick consecutive tissue sections of each smooth muscle tumor from the paraffin-embedded blocks. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was investigated at nine loci within or close to tumor suppressor genes (TP53, RB1, DCC, NM23, WT1, D14S267, P16, DPC4, PTCH). RESULTS Nineteen of twenty leiomyosarcomas revealed at least one instance of LOH among eight of the nine markers tested (one locus showed no LOH at all). In fact, 11 of the 20 cases exhibited two or more instances of LOH and, of the remaining 9 cases, 4 showed a point mutation of p53 in addition to an alteration in one of the 9 markers, while one exhibited a p53 mutation only. CONCLUSION An accumulation of genetic alterations among tumor suppressor genes may play a key role in the tumorigenesis and progression of uterine leiomyosarcoma.
Differential expression of key enzymes of energy metabolism in preneoplastic and neoplastic rat liver lesions induced by N‐nitrosomorpholine and dehydroepiandrosterone

Preneoplastic liver foci and neoplasms of different morphological phenotypes were induced in rats with N‐nitrosomorpholine (NNM; 120 mg/l in drinking water for 7 weeks) and the peroxisome proliferator dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA; 0.6% in the diet for up to 84 weeks). Preneoplastic glycogen storage foci (GSF) occurred mainly upon treatment with NNM, and amphophilic cell foci (APF) were mainly observed in rats treated with DHEA alone or in combination with NNM. The 2 types of lesions belong to 2 different cellular lineages, the glycogenotic/basophilic lineage and the amphophilic lineage, which are characterized by distinct patterns of alterations in key enzymes of energy metabolism. Whereas in GSF enzymes of glucose metabolizing pathways were modified (increase in glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase, decrease in glucose‐6‐phosphatase), APF mainly demonstrated alterations in mitochondrial enzymes (increase in cytochrome c oxidase, succinate dehydrogenase and glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase) and, to a lower extent, in peroxisomal enzymes (increase in peroxisomal hydratase and acyl‐CoA oxidase). The alterations in enzyme expression reflect an insulinomimetic effect in GSF and a thyromimetic effect in APF. Neoplasms resulting from APF show a more differentiated phenotype than those arising from GSF. We suggest that the different and in many aspects opposite effects of the 2 carcinogens on key enzymes of distinct pathways of energy metabolism modulate the process of neoplastic liver cell transformation and result in phenotypically different preneoplasias and neoplasias reflecting different cellular lineages. Int. J. Cancer (Pred. Oncol.): 79:232–240, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Growth of Earnings Inequality, 1984-1997: Trends and Sources of Change

Changes in the distribution of earnings in New Zealand between 1984 and 1997 are examined in this paper. There is evidence of growth in the inequality of both weekly and hourly earnings. Decomposition of the changes suggests that the increases in the dispersion of earnings were largely due to increased inequality within groups of workers with similar observed levels of education, age and potential work experience. 1·2