Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The natural rate of growth and the relevance of aggregate demand in low income countries: the case of Sub-Saharan Africa

The research contributes towards understanding the relevance of aggregate demand for developing economies using a post-Keynesian and political economy approach. We test the endogeneity hypothesis for the natural rate of growth, i.e. its dependence on demand, for 31 sub-Saharan African countries using time series and panel data for the 1991 to 2012 period. We find robust evidence for the endogeneity hypothesis across different estimation techniques. This is of significance for, if the natural rate of growth is endogenous to demand, then changes in demand might matter for economic growth and development in the long run as well as the short run. The paper further contributes to understanding the responsiveness of the natural rate of growth to domestic and foreign demand for developing countries by distinguishing between low income, lower middle income and upper middle income economies. We find that the responsiveness of the natural rate of growth to demand is L shaped for developing countries as it decreases at an increasing rate with the level of economic development.
Impact of Menopause on the Augmentation of Arterial Stiffness with Aging

Background/Aims: Aortic stiffness, determined by pulse wave velocity (PWV), is an independent marker of cardiovascular risk. PWV is mainly influenced by age-associated alterations in arterial wall structure and blood pressure. The present study was conducted to assess the impact of menopause on the brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) in healthy women. Methods: Fifty premenopausal women aged 22–54 years and 40 postmenopausal women aged 40–73 years were recruited for this study. Subjects with hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia were strictly excluded. The results of baPWV were analyzed chronologically by 10- or 5-year age intervals. Results: There was no significant difference in baPWV between premenopausal and postmenopausal women in their 40s and 50s. The baPWV of postmenopausal women aged over 60 years was significantly higher than that of postmenopausal women in their 50s. To clarify the age-dependent elevation in baPWV in detail, women their 50s and 60s were divided into subgroups by 5-year age intervals. There was no significant difference in baPWV among the 50–54-, 55–59- and 60–64-year subgroups. baPWV significantly increased in the 65–69- year subgroup (p< 0.05). There was a significant relationship between baPWV and age in premenopausal (r = 0.452, p = 0.001) and postmenopausal (r = 0.581, p < 0.0001) women. The slope of the regression line for baPWV plotted against age was steeper in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women. Conclusions: This study produces suggestive evidence that menopause amplifies the age-dependent increase in arterial stiffness.
K–12 online teacher beliefs: Relationships among intelligence, confidence, teacher-student interactions, and student outcomes

The vigorous expansion of online learning in K-12 education is a recent change to the conceptualization of schooling that has been occurring for more than 10 years. However, methods used for recruiting, hiring, and preparing online teachers have not been altered beyond the current federal standard defined by No Child Left Behind of Highly Qualified Teachers in order to provide students with teachers demonstrating an orientation toward learning. Historically, educational theory and research suggest that teachers who are learners make a difference for student learning. Recently, social cognitive psychology and neuroscience research has demonstrated a key finding that beliefs about intelligence influence learning success. The purpose of this empirical inferential study was to examine teacher belief about intelligence, teacher confidence in one’s intelligence, and the relationship with teacher-student interactions and student outcomes through the administration of a 9-item online questionnaire. The study used the Theory of Intelligence Scale and Confidence in One’s Intelligence Scale created by Carol Dweck combined with student academic gains from the 2010–2011 Fall and Spring Scantron Performance Series assessments and archived documentation from the internal communication system. Data from 298 randomly selected K-12 online teachers serving as a primary teacher of record for 1 of 18 cyber charters, managed by the same education management organization, were used to address 6 null hypotheses and 4 research questions. Findings suggest teacher belief in the malleability of intelligence positively affects student learning in literacy, which subsequently impacts math achievement. This affirming belief of intelligence shapes teacher behavior evidenced through greater
A 4D dose computation method to investigate motion interplay effects in scanned ion beam prostate therapy

In particle therapy, the interplay between beam scanning and target motion during treatment delivery may result in dose deterioration. Interplay effects have been studied for targets exhibiting periodic respiratory motion, however, they are not well understood for irregular motion patterns, such as those exhibited by the prostate. In this note, we propose and validate a 4D dose computation method, which enables estimation of effective dose delivered to the prostate by scanning ion beams in presence of intrafraction motion, as well as facilitates investigation of various motion interplay countermeasures.
Detection of the uncomfortable loudness level by electroencephalographic data : A novelty detection approach using habituation correlates

The objective fitting of hearing aids and cochlear implants in uncooperative patients still remains a challenge. Especially in determining the threshold of uncomfortable loudness which cannot be predicted from the auditory threshold. In this study, we propose a single sweeps processing method which employs a hybrid approach of adaptive frame decomposition adaptation by a tight wavelet frame and the gaussian novelty detection for the detection of large-scale electroencephalographic responses correlates of habituation in late auditory evoked potentials. For this, habituation is discerns as a novel event. It is concluded that the new approach provides a fast and reliable method in the discrimination of uncomfortable loudness level from comfortable loudness level. It can be further use in more clinically oriented studies related to an objective frequency specific fitting of hearing aids or cochlear implants.
A review on phytochemistry and ethnopharmacological aspects of genus Calendula

This review includes 84 references on the genus Calendula (Asteraceae) and comprises ethnopharmacology, morphology and microscopy, phytoconstituents, pharmacological reports, clinical studies and toxicology of the prominent species of Calendula. Triterpene alcohols, triterpene saponins, flavonoids, carotenoids and polysaccharides constitute major classes of phytoconstituents of the genus. A few species of this genus have medicinal value, among these Calendula officinalis Linn. , has been traditionally used in the treatment of various skin tumors, dermatological lesions, ulcers, swellings and nervous disorders as well as almost 200 cosmetic formulations, i.e., creams, lotions, shampoos. Despite a long tradition of use of some species, the genus has not been explored properly. In the concluding part, the future scope of Calendula species has been emphasized with a view to establish their multifarious biological activities and mode of action.
Do Cross-Border and Domestic Bidding Firms Perform Differently? New Evidence from Continental Europe and the UK

Abstract In this paper we investigate the main features of the domestic and cross-border corporate acquisitions involving 38 European countries in the period 2003–2010. The analysis is based on characteristics of takeover transactions such as type of transaction, payment method, legal status of the target firm, activity relatedness, amongst other factors. In addition, we investigate the short-term wealth effects of 2821 European mergers and acquisitions initiated by large and medium-sized European firms. We find that, upon announcement, domestic acquiring firms earn higher abnormal returns than cross-border bidders. Domestic bidders’ outperformance holds even when controlling for different bid and firm characteristics such as method of payment, type of transaction, public status of the target firm, and activity relatedness of the target and the bidder. We find larger short-term wealth effect of foreign firms bidding on Continental European targets than those of foreign firms acquiring companies in the UK/Ireland. Our analysis shows that cross-border bidding firms tend to experience lower announcement returns when targets are located in countries with stronger investor protection mechanisms, suggesting that acquirers must compensate target firm shareholders (that is, pay higher premiums) if the quality of the corporate governance is reduced.
AC-Capacitance Techniques for Interface Trap Analysis in GaN-Based Buried-Channel MIS-HEMTs

Effective interface trap characterization approaches are indispensable in the development of gate stack and dielectric surface passivation technologies in III-nitride (III-N) insulated-gate power switching transistors for enhanced stability and dynamic performance. In III-N metal-insulator-semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors (MIS-HEMTs) that feature a buried channel, the polarized barrier layer separates the critical dielectric/III-N interface from the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) channel and consequently complicates interface trap analysis. The barrier layer not only causes underestimation/uncertainty in interface trap extraction using conventional ac-conductance method but also allows the Fermi level dipping deep into the bandgap at the pinch-off of the 2DEG channel. To address these issues, we analyze the frequency/temperature dispersions of the second slope in capacitance-voltage characteristics and develop systematic ac-capacitance techniques to realize interface trap mapping in MIS-HEMTs. The correlation between ac-capacitance and pulse-mode hysteresis measurements show that appropriate gate bias need to be selected in the interface trap characterization of MIS-HEMTs, in order to match the time constant of interface traps at the Fermi level with ac frequency and pulsewidth.
Risk Factors for Prolonged Length of Stay of Older Patients in an Academic Emergency Department: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Emergency departments (EDs) are challenged with a growing population of older patients. These patients are at risk for a prolonged length of stay (LOS) at the ED and face more complications and poorer clinical outcomes. We aimed to identify risk factors for a prolonged LOS of older patients at the ED. For this retrospective clinical database study, we analyzed medical records of 2000 patients ≥70 years old presenting at the ED of a large level I trauma center in the Netherlands. LOS above the 75th percentile of LOS at our ED, 293 minutes, was considered prolonged. After bivariate analysis, we identified associations between LOS and patient, organizational, and clinical factors. Associations with a p < 0.05 were inserted in multivariable logistic regression models. We analyzed 1048 men (52%) and 952 women (48%) with a mean age of 78 ± 6.2 years. Risk factors for prolonged LOS of older patients at the ED were follows: higher number (more than one) of consultations (OR [odds ratio] 2.4, CI [confidence interval] 2.0-2.91), or diagnostic interventions (OR 1.5, CI 1.4-1.7); presenting complaints of a neurological (OR 2.2, CI 1.0-4.5) or internal medicine focus (OR 2.6, CI 1.4-4.6); patients with an altered consciousness (OR 3.3, CI 1.6-6.6); treatment by physicians of the departments of surgery (OR 3.4, CI 2.2-5.2), internal medicine (OR 2.6, CI 1.9-3.7), or pulmonology (OR 2.2, CI 1.4-3.6); and urgency category of ≥ U1. Awareness of factors associated with prolonged LOS of older patients presenting at the ED is essential. Physicians should recognize and take these factors into account, in order to improve clinical outcomes of the (strongly increasing) population of older patients at the ED.
Atherosclerosis, vascular remodeling, and impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation in genetically altered hyperlipidemic mice.

We examined the vascular structure and endothelium-dependent relaxation in two genetic models of hypercholesterolemia: apolipoprotein E (apoE)-knockout mice and combined apoE/LDL receptor-double-knockout mice. Intimal area was increased markedly in proximal segments of thoracic aortas from apoE/LDL receptor-knockout mice [0.13 +/- 0.03 (mean +/- SE) mm2] compared with normal (C57BL/6J) mice (0.002 +/- 0.002 mm2, P < .05). Despite intimal thickening, the vascular lumen was not smaller in the aortas of apoE/LDL receptor-knockout mice (0.52 +/- 0.03 mm2) than in normal mice (0.50 +/- 0.03 mm2). In apoE-deficient mice, intimal thickening was minimal or absent, even though the concentration of plasma cholesterol was only modestly less than that in the double-knockout mouse (14.9 +/- 1.1 vs 18.0 +/- 1.2 mmol/L, respectively, P < .05). Relaxation of the aorta was examined in vitro in vascular rings precontracted with U46619. In normal mice, acetylcholine produced relaxation, which was markedly attenuated by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine (100 microM). Relaxation to acetylcholine and the calcium ionophore A23187 was normal in apoE-deficient mice (in which lesions were minimal) but greatly impaired in the proximal segments of thoracic aortas of apoE/LDL receptor-deficient mice, which contained atherosclerotic lesions. Vasorelaxation to nitroprusside was similar in normal and apoE-knockout mice, with modest but statistically significant impairment in atherosclerotic segments of apoE/LDL receptor-knockout mice. In distal segments of the thoracic aorta of apoE/LDL receptor-deficient mice, atherosclerotic lesions were minimal or absent, and the endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine and calcium ionophore was normal. Thus, in apoE/LDL receptor-knockout mice (a genetic model of hyperlipidemia), there is vascular remodeling with preservation of the aortic lumen despite marked intimal thickening, with impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation to receptor- and nonreceptor-mediated agonists. Atherosclerosis may be accelerated in the apoE/LDL receptor-double-knockout mouse compared with the apoE-knockout strain alone. We speculate that other factors, such as the absence of LDL receptors, may contribute to the differences in the extent of atherosclerosis in these two models of hyperlipidemia.
Protein tyrosine kinase‐dependent release of intracellular calcium in the sea urchin egg

The aminoguanide, methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG), was shown to stimulate phosphorylation of RR‐SRC, a synthetic protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) substrate, and different levels of tyrosyl phosphorylation of endogenous proteins in a sea urchin egg membrane‐cortex preparation. Stimulating protein tyrosine kinase activity in the sea urchin egg stimulated intracellular Ca2+ release, because microinjection of 1–5 mM of MGBG into unfertilized eggs triggered a transient rise in intracellular Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i) after a brief latent period. Pretreating eggs with PTK‐specific inhibitors, genistein or tyrphostin B42+, significantly inhibited the MGBG‐induced rise in [Ca2+]i. Methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) stimulation of PTK activities in the unfertilized sea urchin egg appeared to trigger Ca2+ release through phospholipase C (PLC)‐dependent inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (InsP3) production. The MGBG‐induced Ca2+ response could be suppressed in eggs preloaded with the InsP3 receptor antagonist, heparin, and was reduced in eggs pretreated with U7312+, a PLC inhibitor. However, the response was unchanged in eggs treated with nicotinamide, an inhibitor of ADP‐ribosyl cyclase, or nifedipine, an inhibitor of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate activity. These results suggest that MGBG may be useful as a chemical agonist of PTK in sea urchin eggs and allow direct testing of the PTK requirement for the transient rise in [Ca2+]i in sea urchin eggs during fertilization. Although genistein was observed to significantly delay the onset, the sperm‐induced Ca2+ response in PTK inhibitor‐loaded eggs otherwise appeared normal. Therefore, it was concluded that sea urchin eggs contain a PTK‐dependent pathway that can mediate intracellular Ca2+ release, but PTK activity does not appear to be required for the fertilization response.
The trans‐Golgi Network Golgin, GCC185, is Required for Endosome‐to‐Golgi Transport and Maintenance of Golgi Structure

Four mammalian golgins are specifically targeted to the trans‐Golgi network (TGN) membranes via their C‐terminal GRIP domains. The TGN golgins, p230/golgin‐245 and golgin‐97, are recruited via the GTPase Arl1, whereas the TGN golgin GCC185 is recruited independently of Arl1. Here we show that GCC185 is localized to a region of the TGN distinct from Arl1 and plays an essential role in maintaining the organization of the Golgi apparatus. Using both small interfering RNA (siRNA) and microRNA (miRNA), we show that depletion of GCC185 in HeLa cells frequently resulted in fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus. Golgi apparatus fragments were dispersed throughout the cytoplasm and contained both cis and trans markers. Trafficking of anterograde and retrograde cargo was analysed over an extended period following GCC185 depletion. Early effects of GCC185 depletion included a perturbation in the distribution of the mannose‐6‐phosphate receptor and a block in shiga toxin trafficking to the Golgi apparatus, which occurred in parallel with the fragmentation of the Golgi ribbon. Internalized shiga toxin accumulated in Rab11‐positive endosomes, indicating GCC185 is essential for transport between the recycling endosome and the TGN. In contrast, the plasma membrane–TGN recycling protein TGN38 was efficiently transported into GCC185‐depleted Golgi apparatus fragments throughout a 96‐h period, and anterograde transport of E‐cadherin was functional until a late stage of GCC185 depletion. This study demonstrated (i) a more effective long‐term depletion of GCC185 using miRNA than siRNA and (ii) a dual role for the GCC185 golgin in the regulation of endosome‐to‐TGN membrane transport and in the organization of the Golgi apparatus.
Identifying Barriers That Hinder Onsite Parental Involvement in a School-Based Health Promotion Program

We investigated whether barriers to onsite parental involvement in the Bienestar Health Program Parent Component could be identified and whether participation rates could be increased by addressing these barriers. All nonparticipating parents of fourth-grade students of San Antonio Independent School District from 4 schools, which were selected randomly from 20 intervention schools in Bienestar, were invited to take part in this study. A total of 47 of 223 (21%) parents engaged in one of four focus groups offered. Parents identified barriers to their involvement in Bienestar that fit into five descriptive categories: (a) low value, (b) high cost, (c) competing family demands, (d) concerns about the program design, and (e) social role norms. The Bienestar Parent Component was then modified according to the focus group findings, which resulted in a marked increase in parental involvement from 17% to 37% overall. These findings suggest that even when parents are involved in the initial design of parent-friendly and culturally sensitive programs, as was the case for Bienestar, maximizing parental involvement may require additional assessment, identification, and remediation of barriers.
Endothelial Cell Mineralocorticoid Receptors Regulate Deoxycorticosterone/Salt-Mediated Cardiac Remodeling and Vascular Reactivity But Not Blood Pressure

Recent studies have identified novel pathological roles for mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) in specific cell types in cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms by which MR promotes inflammation and fibrosis involve multiple cell-specific events. To identify the role of MR in endothelial cells (EC-MR), the current study explored the vascular responses to aldosterone in wild-type (WT) and EC-null mice (EC-MRKO). Nitric oxide function was impaired in the thoracic aorta and mesenteric arteries of aldosterone-treated WT mice. Although endothelial nitric oxide function was equivalently impaired in the mesenteric arteries of aldosterone-treated EC-MRKO mice, endothelial function was unaffected in the aorta, suggesting a differential role for EC-MR depending on the vascular bed. Second, the contribution of EC-MR to cardiovascular inflammation, fibrosis, and hypertension was determined in WT and EC-MRKO treated with deoxycorticosterone/salt for 8 days or 8 weeks. At 8 days, loss of EC-MR prevented macrophage infiltration and the expression of proinflammatory genes in the myocardium. Increased cardiac fibrosis was not detected in either genotype at this time, mRNA levels of profibrotic genes were significantly lower in EC-MRKO mice versus WT. At 8 weeks, deoxycorticosterone/salt treatment increased macrophage recruitment and proinflammatory gene expression in WT but not in EC-MRKO. Collagen deposition and connective tissue growth factor expression were significantly reduced in EC-MRKO versus WT. Interestingly, systolic blood pressure was equivalently elevated in deoxycorticosterone/salt treated WT and EC-MRKO. Our data demonstrate that (1) EC-MR signaling contributes to vascular nitric oxide function in large conduit arteries but not in resistance vessels and (2) an independent role for EC-MR in the inflammatory and profibrotic response to deoxycorticosterone/salt.
Opioids Inhibit Febrile Responses in Humans, Whereas Epidural Analgesia Does Not: An Explanation for Hyperthermia during Epidural Analgesia

BackgroundEpidural analgesia is frequently associated with hyperthermia during labor and in the postoperative period. The conventional assumption is that hyperthermia is caused by the technique, although no convincing mechanism has been proposed. However, pain in the “control” patients is inevitably treated with opioids, which themselves attenuate fever. Fever associated with infection or tissue injury may then be suppressed by opioids in the “control” patients while being expressed normally in patients given epidural analgesia. The authors therefore tested the hypothesis that fever in humans is manifested normally during epidural analgesia, but is suppressed by low-dose intravenous opioid. MethodsThe authors studied eight volunteers, each on four study days. Fever was induced each day by 150 IU/g intravenous interleukin 2. Volunteers were randomly assigned to: (1) a control day when no opioid or epidural analgesia was given; (2) epidural analgesia using ropivacaine alone; (3) epidural analgesia using ropivacaine in combination with 2 &mgr;g/ml fentanyl; or (4) intravenous fentanyl at a target plasma concentration of 2.5 ng/ml. ResultsFentanyl halved the febrile response to pyrogen, decreasing integrated core temperature from 7.0 ± 3.2°C · h on the control day, to 3.8 ± 3.0°C · h on the intravenous fentanyl day. In contrast, epidural ropivacaine and epidural ropivacaine–fentanyl did not inhibit fever. The fraction of core-temperature measurements that exceeded 38°C was halved by intravenous fentanyl, and the fraction exceeding 38.5°C was reduced more than fivefold. ConclusionsThese data support the authors’ proposed mechanism for hyperthermia during epidural analgesia. Fever during epidural analgesia should thus not be considered a complication of the anesthetic technique per se.