Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Draft Animals, Farm Machines and Sustainable Agricultural Production: Insight from China

Although draft animals have been playing an essential role in agricultural production worldwide, in recent decades there has been a trend towards replacing draft animals with farm machines. In the areas facing labour shortage due to rural-to-urban migration, the use of farm machines is especially expected to enhance agricultural production and productivity. However, little is known about the extent to which the farm machine use substitutes draft animal use and how the two production activities jointly affect agricultural performance. To fill this gap, this paper attempts to examine the long-run and short-run effects of farm machine use on draft animal use using a pooled mean group estimator, and to estimate the joint effects of farm machine use and draft animal use on agricultural productivity using a panel production function model. The empirical results show that a 1% increase in farm machine use rate tends to decrease draft animal use by 2.82% in the long-run, but it does not have a statistically significant impact on draft animal use in the short-run. In addition, we find that output elasticity of farm machine use has increased from −0.161 in 1978 to 0.170 in 2012, while that of draft animal use has decreased from 0.185 to −0.129 over the same time period. Our findings highlight the importance of government’s efforts in promoting an agricultural transition from animal power to machine power in order to increase sustainable agricultural production.
Serological properties of thymidine kinase produced in cells infected with type 1 or type 2 herpes virus.

Summary Antisera produced in rabbits against extracts of cells infected with type 1 or type 2 herpes simplex virus neutralized thymidine kinase activities of six type 1 and six type 2 herpes virus strains. There was intertypic neutralizing activity, suggesting some common antigenic determinants, but much greater intratypic activity, suggesting that the enzyme bears type-specific determinants. The effects of some anti-type 1 sera were complicated since they also stabilized the type 2 enzyme activity. When anti-type 1 and anti-type 2 sera were absorbed with extracts of cells infected with thymidine-kinase deficient mutants of homologous type they retained their power to neutralize thymidine kinase activity but completely lost their ability to neutralize infectivity. Each absorbed serum gave a single precipitin line against the parent strain and none against the parent of the other type. It was surmised that these precipitin lines were associated with type-specific thymidine kinase antigens.
A reticle quality management strategy in wafer fabs addressing progressive mask defect growth problem at low k1 lithography

DUV lithography has introduced a progressive mask defect growth problem widely known as crystal growth or haze. Even if the incoming mask quality is good, there is no guarantee that the mask will remain clean during its production usage in the wafer fab. These progressive defects must be caught in advance during production in the fabs. The ideal reticle quality' control goal should be to detect any nascent progressive defects before they become yield limiting. So, a high-resolution mask inspection is absolutely needed, but the big question is: "how often do fabs need to re-inspect their masks"? Previous work towards finding a cost effective mask re-qualification frequency (V. Samek et al., September 8-10, 1999), was done prior to the above mentioned progressive defect problem that industry started to see at a much higher rate during just the last few years. Other related recent work was done 2004 BACUS conference which is dedicated to DRAM fab data (K. Bhattacharyya et al., 2004). In this paper a realistic mask re-qualification frequency model has been developed based on a large volume of data from an advanced logic fab. This work will compliment previous work in this area done with the data from a DRAM fab (K. Bhattacharyya et al., 2004). Statistical methods are used to analyze mask inspection and product data, which are combined in a stochastic model
Curcumin suppresses PPARdelta expression and related genes in HT-29 cells.

AIM To investigate the effects of curcumin on the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptordelta (PPARdelta) and related genes in HT-29 cells. METHODS HT-29 cells were treated with curcumin (0-80 micromol/L) for 24 h. The effects of curcumin on the morphology of HT-29 cells were studied by Hoechst 33342 staining. The activity of caspase-3 was determined using DEVD-pNA as substrate. The levels of peroxisome PPARdelta, 14-3-3epsilon and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in HT-29 cells were determined by Western blotting analysis and their mRNA expression was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS Treatment with 10-80 micromol/L curcumin induced typical features of apoptosis and activated the caspase-3 in HT-29 cells. The expression of PPARdelta, 14-3-3epsilon and VEGF was reduced and the activity of beta-catenin/Tcf-4 signaling was inhibited by curcumin treatment. CONCLUSION Curcumin can induce apoptosis of HT-29 cells and down-regulate the expression of PPARdelta, 14-3-3epsilon and VEGF in HT-29.
MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF SELECTION IN EXPERIMENTAL POPULATIONS DERIVED FROM HYBRIDIZATION OF TWO ECOTYPES OF THE ANNUAL PLANT DIODIA TERES W. (RUBIACEAE)

Morphologically variable F2 genotypes derived from hybridization of coastal and inland ecotypes of the annual plant Diodia teres were used to identify selection on morphological traits in the natural habitat of each ecotype. These ecotypes occur in very different habitats, and have evolved pronounced morphological differentiation. Selection analysis can suggest whether present patterns of selection can explain morphological differences between ecotypes. F2 genotypes were characterized morphologically, clonally replicated, and transplanted into the habitat of each ecotype. Selection was measured on six morphological traits. Directional and stabilizing selection occurred on many traits; direction and strength of selection varied sharply at different stages of growth, as revealed by a path‐analysis approach that divided selection into a set of independent components. Directional selection favored traits of the native population at the coastal habitat, but less so at the inland habitat. Selection was of sufficient strength to create the observed morphological differences between ecotypes in 25–100 generations, given constant selection and sufficient genetic variation. In effects on fitness, most traits were neither independent nor consistently interactive with other traits. Rather, many traits entered into strong but evanescent interactions affecting particular components of fitness. Observed interactions did not support the hypothesis that the morphology of each ecotype was functionally integrated to a high degree.
Space travel directly induces skeletal muscle atrophy

Space travel causes rapid and pronounced skeletal muscle wasting in humans that reduces their long‐term flight capabilities. To develop effective countermeasures, the basis of this atrophy needs to be better understood. Space travel may cause muscle atrophy indirectly by altering circulating levels of factors such as growth hormone, glucocorticoids, and anabolic steroids and/or by a direct effect on the muscle fibers themselves. To determine whether skeletal muscle cells are directly affected by space travel, tissue‐cultured avian skeletal muscle cells were tissue engineered into bioartificial muscles and flown in perfusion bioreactors for 9 to 10 days aboard the Space Transportation System (STS, i.e., Space Shuttle). Significant muscle fiber atrophy occurred due to a decrease in protein synthesis rates without alterations in protein degradation. Return of the muscle cells to Earth stimulated protein synthesis rates of both muscle‐specific and extracellular matrix proteins relative to ground controls. These results show for the first time that skeletal muscle fibers are directly responsive to space travel and should be a target for countermeasure development. —Vandenburgh, H. , Chromiak, J., Shansky, J., Del Tatto, M. , Lemaire, J. Space travel directly induces skeletal muscle atrophy. FASEB J. 13, 1031–1038 (1999)
Bordetella bronchiseptica Modulates Macrophage Phenotype Leading to the Inhibition of CD4+ T Cell Proliferation and the Initiation of a Th17 Immune Response1

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a Gram-negative bacterium equipped with several colonization factors that allow it to establish a persistent infection of the murine respiratory tract. Previous studies indicate that B. bronchiseptica adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) and the type III secretion system (TTSS) synergize to drive dendritic cells into an altered phenotype to down-regulate the host immune response. In this study, we examined the effects of B. bronchiseptica ACT and TTSS on murine bone marrow-derived macrophages. We demonstrate that ACT and TTSS are required for the inhibition of Ag-driven CD4+ T cell proliferation by bacteria-infected macrophages. We identify PGE2 as the mediator of this inhibition, and we show that ACT and the TTSS synergize to increase macrophage production of PGE2. We further demonstrate that B. bronchiseptica can modulate normal macrophage function and drive the immune response toward a Th17 phenotype classified by the significant production of IL-17. In this study, we show that B. bronchiseptica-infected macrophages can induce IL-17 production from naive CD4+ splenocytes, and that lung tissues from B. bronchiseptica-infected mice exhibit a strong Th17 immune response. ACT inhibited surface expression of CD40 and CD86, suppressed TNF-α production, and up-regulated IL-6 production. TTSS also synergized with ACT to up-regulate IL-10 and PGE2 secretion. These findings indicate that persistent colonization by B. bronchiseptica may rely on the ability of the bacteria to differentially modulate both macrophage and dendritic cell function leading to an altered adaptive immune response and subsequent bacterial colonization.
Effect of spontaneous seizures on GABAA receptor α4 subunit expression in an animal model of temporal lobe epilepsy

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is frequently medically intractable and often progressive. Compromised inhibitory neurotransmission due to altered γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor α4 subunit (GABAARα4) expression has been emphasized as a potential contributor to the initial development of epilepsy following a brain insult (primary epileptogenesis), but the regulation of GABAARα4 during chronic epilepsy, specifically, how expression is altered following spontaneous seizures, is less well understood.
Opinions of Parents About School-Entry Mandates for the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

Objective. To determine parents' opinions about school-entry mandates for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Materials and Methods. During the summer of 2008, 325 parents, with children 9 to 17 years old, completed a 53-question survey that evaluated their opinions about vaccines, HPV and the HPV vaccine, and mandatory childhood vaccination programs. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all survey items. Results. Although 89% of parents supported mandatory vaccination programs in general, only 43% thought that the HPV vaccine should be included. The main reasons for nonsupport included that it would infringe on their rights (57%), that the vaccine had not been well studied (33%), and that it had too many adverse effects (29%). Of all parents, 13% said their children had already received the HPV vaccine and 81% wanted their children to receive it. Conclusions. At this point, although most parents want their children to receive the HPV vaccine, most do not support it being mandated. The provision of more safety data to parents should help improve overall HPV vaccination rates.
Just wealth transfer taxation

This article examines John Stuart Mill’s influential proposal of how to tax wealth transfers. According to Mill, every person should be free to bequeath but not to receive bequest. Mill proposed an upper limit on how much each person could receive from wealth transfers. We discuss three objections against this proposal. The nonseparability objection holds that it is not possible to separate the freedom to give from the freedom to receive. The objection from private property holds that private property includes an unlimited right to dispose of one’s assets and that this right is violated under Mill’s scheme. The objection from incentives holds that Mill’s scheme would have negative effects on people’s willingness to work and save. We argue that these objections can be met and that taxing bequeathed wealth according to Mill’s scheme is more just and more efficient compared to systems that rely less on wealth transfer taxation.
Predictors of distress in cancer patients and their partners: The role of optimism in the sense of coherence construct

Aim: The aim of this study was to clarify the associations between sense of coherence (SOC), dispositional optimism and distress (i.e. anxiety and depression) in cancer patients and their partners. Methods: The associations between SOC, dispositional optimism (Life Orientation Test-Revised, LOT-R), depression (Beck Depression Inventory-14, BDI-14) and anxiety (Endler Multidimensional Anxiety Scales, EMAS-State) were studied in 147 cancer couples. The data were collected with self-report questionnaires at the time of diagnosis (2 months) and after 6 months. Path analysis was used to analyse the predictors of follow-up distress and crossover effects in the longitudinal data. Results: Optimistic patients and patients with strong SOC as well as their partners reported fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety than less optimistic subjects and subjects with weaker SOC. Optimism partially explained the effect of SOC on distress and SOC seemed to be an independent factor in predicting distress. Patient and partner distress at baseline and at 8-month follow-up correlated positively. In addition, high partner optimism at baseline seemed to predict low patient anxiety at follow-up. Conclusions: The beneficial effects of SOC seem to include also other elements beyond optimism. In clinical practice, enhancing optimistic expectations of the future and promoting SOC could be expected to reduce distress in cancer patients and their partners.
Labour Networks under Supply Chain Capitalism: The Politics of the Bangladesh Accord

The Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety is a transnational governance approach towards implementing factory safety standards in the Bangladeshi garment sector. Some commentators argue that the Accord is a ‘game changer’ in times of corporate social responsibility (CSR), especially because it includes transnational buying companies in a legally binding contract with union federations. This article takes the Accord as an interesting case for how labour networks become part of a transnational governance arrangement. Taking a cultural political economy perspective, the author assumes that the Accord marks a practice of implementing ethical demands under conditions of supply chain capitalism and argues that calling the Accord a paradigm shift would be overly optimistic: while labour networks were able to use a crisis in the regime of CSR policies, they could not challenge the managerial culture of translating political demands according to the conventions of supply chain management. These conventions separate the sources of profit from the political claim for decent labour standards. In a transnational governance initiative, labour networks rely on such management conventions, since they are constitutive of the production network. From this perspective the Accord is an impressive reaction to the Rana Plaza disaster, but not a game changer.
Radicalisation and Violent Extremism in Kyrgyzstan

In this close analysis of radicalisation and violent extremism in Kyrgyzstan, Anna Matveeva argues that radicalisation is not a myth but a phenomenon taking root in the region. While the drivers of radicalisation are not entirely understood, its geographic and social patterns have become clearer. In Kyrgyzstan, it positively correlates with belonging to a Muslim minority group, and their representatives find jihadi ideas more attractive.
Multiple Lineages of Avian Malaria Parasites (Plasmodium) in the Galapagos Islands and Evidence for Arrival via Migratory Birds

Haemosporidian parasites in the genus Plasmodium were recently detected through molecular screening in the Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus). We summarized results of an archipelago‐wide screen of 3726 endemic birds representing 22 species for Plasmodium spp. through a combination of molecular and microscopy techniques. Three additional Plasmodium lineages were present in Galapagos. Lineage A–infected penguins, Yellow Warblers (Setophaga petechia aureola), and one Medium Ground Finch (Geospiza fortis) was detected at multiple sites in multiple years. The other 3 lineages were each detected at one site and at one time; apparently, they were transient infections of parasites not established on the archipelago. No gametocytes were found in blood smears of infected individuals; thus, endemic Galapagos birds may be dead‐end hosts for these Plasmodium lineages. Determining when and how parasites and pathogens arrive in Galapagos is key to developing conservation strategies to prevent and mitigate the effects of introduced diseases. To assess the potential for Plasmodium parasites to arrive via migratory birds, we analyzed blood samples from 438 North American breeding Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), the only songbird that regularly migrates through Galapagos. Two of the ephemeral Plasmodium lineages (B and C) found in Galapagos birds matched parasite sequences from Bobolinks. Although this is not confirmation that Bobolinks are responsible for introducing these lineages, evidence points to higher potential arrival rates of avian pathogens than previously thought.
Folded Strip/Slot Antenna With Extended Bandwidth for WLAN Application

A compact and novel printed antenna for 2.4-GHz WLAN/Zigbee/Bluetooth applications is proposed in this letter. To extend the bandwidth, a strip mode and a slot mode are combined together, which generate a dual-mode response inside the radiating band. To miniaturize the overall size, the structure is folded in order to fully utilize the available antenna space. The antenna is fabricated on a 1-mm FR4 board and excited by an SMA connector using a short microstrip line. It achieves a –10-dB bandwidth of 5.09% with a compact size of 0.073 <italic> λ</italic><sub>0</sub> × 0.052 <italic>λ</italic><sub>0</sub> × 0.008 <italic>λ </italic><sub>0</sub> (9.2 × 6.5 × 1 mm<sup>3</sup>) and an in-band radiation efficiency above 73%. It is small and low-profile, which can be fabricated at a low cost using the standard printed circuit board (PCB) process. It shows good radiation performance and therefore is suitable for applications in Internet of Things and smart home devices.
Methylation of TFPI2 gene is frequently detected in advanced well-differentiated colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND Recently, it has been reported that TFPI2 (tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2), a Kunitz-type serine proteinase inhibitor, is frequently methylated in human colorectal cancer using a gene expression array-based strategy. The aim of this study therefore was to examine whether the TFPI2 methylation in surgically removed colorectal cancers was correlated to the clinicopathological features. MATERIALS AND METHODS The methylation status of the TFPI2 gene was examined in primary carcinomas and corresponding normal tissues derived from 50 patients with colorectal cancer using quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP), and the correlation between the methylation status and the clinicopathological findings was evaluated. Results. Methylation of the TFPI2 gene was detected in 31 out of the 50 (62%) primary colon carcinomas, suggesting that the methylation of TFPI2 is frequently observed in colorectal cancer. The clinicopathological data were compared with these results. Significant differences were observed between methylation of TFPI2 and histology (p=0.0053) or lymph node metastasis (p=0.0396). These results indicated that TFPI2 was more frequently methylated in well-differentiated advanced colorectal carcinomas. CONCLUSION TFPI2 may act as a tumour suppressor in colorectal carcinomas and TFPI2 methylation may present a potential risk of malignancy in colorectal cancer.
The Role of Distraction in Improving the Space Available for the Cord in Cervical Spondylosis

Study Design This study analyzed the effects of distraction via strut graft insertion on the canal dimensions in spondylotic human cadaver cervical spines. Transverse and anteroposterior diameters and crosssectional areas were measured by transverse computed tomography imaging before and after distraction with out direct decompression. Objectives This experiment was designed to address whether distraction across the disc space without direct canal decompression can improve the space available for the cord. Summary of Background Data Smith-Robinson anterior discectomy and fusion have been shown to improve clinical symptoms of radiculopathy and myelopthy even in the absence of direct decompression. This has been postulated to be the result of gradual resorption of intruding osteophytes. However, the immediate effects of indirect distraction alone have not been previously investigated. Methods Four cadaver spines from elderly donors were harvested intact. The transverse diameter, anteroposterior diameter, and cross-sectional area of the spinal canal were measured before and after discectomy and distraction via insertion of fibular strut graft by digitization of contiguous computed tomography scan slices. Results The spinal canal dimensions before distraction were found to vary in a sinusoidal pattern around the disc space, with the maximum measurements located at the pedicle and the minimum measurements at the spondylotic ridge above or below the disc space. Distraction via strut graft insertion significantly increased the anteroposterior diameter and cross-section area, but had a negligible effect on transverse diameter. Conclusions Anterior discectomy and distraction with a strut graft can significantly improve the space available for the cord in cervical spondylosis. Osteophyte debridement, which risks latrogenic injury to the cord may not always be necessary for improving clinical radiculopathy and myelopathy.
Social media as tool for facilitating knowledge creation and innovation in small and medium enterprises

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of social media usage on four knowledge creation processes, namely socialisation, externalisation, combination and internalisation, and innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach A sample of 96 SMEs has been used to gather data through a standardised questionnaire and test the hypotheses through OLS regression models. Findings The results indicate that social media influence positively three out of four knowledge creation processes and that they help to foster the innovation process. Originality/value From a theoretical perspective, the study contributes to literature considering a specific digital tool and its effect on knowledge creation and innovation. In fact, a few studies have considered the impact of social media usage on other variables, such as ROI and productivity, but never on knowledge creation and innovation through a quantitative study. From a managerial perspective, the research suggests managers to implement and involve social media within business and innovation processes.