Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Black Swans, Lame Ducks, and the mystery of IPE's missing macroeconomy

ABSTRACT Britain's BREXIT vote and Trump's victory in the US presidential elections sent shockwaves through the Western liberal establishment, including academia. Both events suggest yet another ‘rethinking’ of International Political Economy (IPE). Yet we have been here before. After the global financial crisis of 2008, ‘Open Economy Politics’ (OEP) was criticized for being unable to either anticipate or adequately explain the global financial crisis. Now that IPE has been caught short twice in a decade, any rethinking must go beyond critique and beyond OEP. To stop being surprised, we argue that IPE needs to shift its focus from micro-foundations back to macro-effects. IPE today strangely lacks an appreciation for the global macroeconomics that drives the outcomes it has such difficulty explaining, such as recurring financial bubbles, increasing levels of inequality, and the global rise of populism. Bringing the global macroeconomy back into the IPE, we argue, is a necessary corrective.
Postoperative Analgesia from Intrathecal Neostigmine in Sheep

Spinal neostigmine produces analgesia in chronically prepared rats, but not in sheep.However, since pain itself activates bulbospinal inhibitory pathways, neostigmine may be more effective in the postoperative period. We examined in sheep the antinociceptive effect of intrathecal neostigmine in the acute postoperative period and determined the muscarinic receptor subtype activated by neostigmine. A cervical intrathecal catheter was inserted via a laminotomy in 14 sheep that then received, in random order 1 mg of spinal neostigmine or saline on postoperative Day 1 and the other injection on postoperative Day 2. Three additional sheep received, on separate days, intrathecal neostigmine alone or with the muscarinic receptor subtype-specific antagonists pirenzepine (M1) 2 mg or AFDX-116 (M2) 2 mg. Antinociception was tested using a mechanical stimulus after each injection. Baseline withdrawal threshold did not change postoperatively. Intrathecal neostigmine, but not saline caused antinociception on both of the first two postoperative days. In contrast, intrathecal neostigmine caused no antinociception in another similar study performed at least 5 days after surgery. Pirenzepine, but not AFDX-116, abolished antinociception from neostigmine, suggesting an action on M1 subtype muscarinic receptors. Intrathecal neostigmine is antinociceptive in sheep during the acute postoperative period, and these data suggest that spinal cholinergic tone, and hence intrathecal neostigmine's analgesic effect, may be enhanced during the acute postoperative period. (Anesth Analg 1995;80:1140-4)
Block-training in group psychotherapy in the Baltic States: Experiences from three years of training

Since March 1995, the Institute of Group Analysis, Norway has been responsible for a block-training programme in group psychotherapy in Vilnius, Lithuania. Training takes place in English during five weekends per year, with participants from all three Baltic countries. There are three levels: one year basic course, two years advanced course and two years qualifying course. Elements in the training are self-experience in small and large groups, supervision and theory discussions. The plan is to educate local staff, who can then train colleagues on an independent basis. Evaluations show a high degree of satisfaction with the different elements of the course, and an initial honeymoon attitude has given way to a more realistic realization of what is required of a personal and professional commitment. Experiences from the first three years of training are presented.
Geochemical Tracers to Evaluate Hydrogeologic Controls on River Salinization

The salinization of rivers, as indicated by salinity increases in the downstream direction, is characteristic of arid and semiarid regions throughout the world. Historically, salinity increases have been attributed to various mechanisms, including (1) evaporation and concentration during reservoir storage, irrigation, and subsequent reuse; (2) displacement of shallow saline ground water during irrigation; (3) erosion and dissolution of natural deposits; and/or (4) inflow of deep saline and/or geothermal ground water (ground water with elevated water temperature). In this study, investigation of salinity issues focused on identification of relative salinity contributions from anthropogenic and natural sources in the Lower Rio Grande in the New Mexico‐Texas border region. Based on the conceptual model of the system, the various sources of water and, therefore, salinity to the Lower Rio Grande were identified, and a sampling plan was designed to characterize these sources. Analysis results for boron (δ11B), sulfur (δ34S), oxygen (δ18O), hydrogen (δ2H), and strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotopes, as well as basic chemical data, confirmed the hypothesis that the dominant salinity contributions are from deep ground water inflow to the Rio Grande. The stable isotopic ratios identified the deep ground water inflow as distinctive, with characteristic isotopic signatures. These analyses indicate that it is not possible to reproduce the observed salinization by evapotranspiration and agricultural processes alone. This investigation further confirms that proper application of multiple isotopic and geochemical tracers can be used to identify and constrain multiple sources of solutes in complex river systems.
Women don’t ask: an investigation of start-up financing and gender

Abstract Are women less likely to ask for help financing their businesses? This study investigates whether gender is a factor that impacts the propensity to ask for financing among nascent entrepreneurs. We also investigate if start-up helpers, who do not have an ownership share, have an impact on the likelihood of asking for financing, specifically between men and women. Our findings suggest that being female significantly decreases the probability of asking for financing and the presence of start-up helpers significantly increases the incidence of asking for financing in the nascent stage. In addition, among those who created new firms or were still in the start-up process, the number of start-up helpers exponentially increased the incidence of asking for financing among female founders. We use the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics II data, the largest, nationally representative, and longitudinal database on nascent entrepreneurs for the United States.
Leadership in Diverse Schools: An Examination of Early College High School Principals in North Carolina

Dr. Hattie L. Hammonds is the Department Chair and English teacher at North Pitt High School, Pitt County Schools in North Carolina. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Dr. Hattie L. Hammonds; Address: North Pitt High School; 5659 NC-11 S, Bethel, NC 27812; Email: hattieh@g.clemson. edu or hammonh@pitt.k12. nc.us Leadership in Diverse Schools: An Examination of Early College High School Principals in North Carolina
Borrelia burgdorferi Lacking DbpBA Exhibits an Early Survival Defect during Experimental Infection

ABSTRACT Several Borrelia burgdorferi genes induced under mammalian host conditions have been purported to be important in Lyme disease pathogenesis based on their binding to host structures. These genes include the dbpBA locus, whose products bind host decorin and glycosoaminoglycans. Recently, the dbpBA genes were reported to be involved in borrelial infectivity. Here we extended the previous observations by using culture and quantitative PCR to evaluate low- and high-dose murine infection by a ΔdbpBA::Gentr derivative of B. burgdorferi strain B31. The results indicate that the ΔdbpBA::Gentr mutant is attenuated in the ability to initially colonize and then persist in multiple tissues. The mutant exhibited a colonization defect as early as 3 days postinfection, before the development of an adaptive immune response, and after low-dose infection of SCID mice, which are deficient in adaptive immunity. These findings suggest that the inability to adhere to host decorin may promote clearance of B. burgdorferi, presumably via innate immune mechanisms. In a high-dose infection, the mutant disseminated to several tissues, particularly joint tissue, but it was generally cleared from these tissues by 3 weeks postinfection. Finally, following high-dose infection of SCID mice, the dbpBA mutant exhibited only a mild colonization defect, suggesting that the adaptive response is involved in the clearance of the mutant in immunocompetent mice. Taken together, these results suggest that the DbpBA proteins facilitate the colonization of multiple tissues by B. burgdorferi and are required for optimal resistance to both innate and adaptive immune mechanisms following needle inoculation.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire

Objective: This paper aims to systematically review the use and performance of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief IPQ). Design: Electronic databases were searched for papers administering the Brief IPQ published in peer-reviewed journals. Data were extracted from the results for meta-analysis. Main outcome measures: Use by illness population, country, language and study design. The questionnaire’s concurrent validity, predictive validity, sensitivity to change, discriminant validity and mean scores for different populations were summarised. Results: The review included 188 papers. The Brief IPQ has been administered to patients from age 8 to over 80, with a wide range of illnesses, in 26 languages from 36 countries. Pooled correlations between illness perceptions and depression, anxiety, blood glucose levels and quality of life were consistent with previous research and theory (range .25–.49 for consequences, identity and emotional representations; −.12 to −.27 for personal control). All items were able to predict some outcomes up to one-year follow-up. Each subscale demonstrated sensitivity to change after intervention in randomised controlled trials with the personal control and causal items showing most frequent change. Conclusions: The Brief IPQ is widely used and has good psychometric properties. More studies should include and analyse the causal item.
Management of Common Sports‐related Injuries About the Foot and Ankle

&NA; Foot and ankle injuries are commonplace in competitive sports. Improvements in injury surveillance programs and injury reporting have enabled physicians to better recognize and manage specific foot and ankle injuries, with a primary goal of efficient and safe return to play. Athletes are becoming stronger, faster, and better conditioned, and higher‐energy injuries are becoming increasingly common. Close attention is required during examination to accurately identify such injuries as turf toe, ankle injuries, tarsometatarsal (ie, Lisfranc) injuries, and stress fractures. Early diagnosis and management of these injuries are critical. Ultimately, however, pressure to return to play must not compromise appropriate care and long‐term outcomes.
Roles of chlorophyllin in cell proliferation and the expression of apoptotic and cell cycle genes in HB4a non-tumor breast cells

Abstract Chlorophyllin (Chl) has attracted interest in the scientific community due to its chemopreventive and antimutagenic properties. However, the molecular mechanisms of action of Chl remain unclear. This study assesses the effects on cell proliferation and the expression of genes involved in apoptosis, and the cell cycle in HB4a cells treated with Chl. Chl was cytotoxic and induced apoptosis to HB4a cells at 400 μg/mL. Analysis of gene expression showed that there was a decrease in the mRNA level of BIRC5 and CCNA2 genes involved in apoptosis and cell cycle progression, respectively. The proapoptotic gene BAX and the antiapoptotic genes BCL-2 and BCL-XL were upregulated. The cytotoxicity of Chl has been attributed to increases in the expression of BAX and decreases in the expression of genes involved in the cell cycle, but increases in the expression of anti-apoptotic genes suggests a mechanism for protection from cell death induced by Chl. This study provides important information about mechanisms that protect against or trigger damaging processes in non-tumor cells.
Effects of English /r/-/l/ perceptual training on Japanese children's production

It has been proven that high-variability English /r/-/l/ perceptual training improves Japanese adults’ production. The present study examined whether Japanese children also improve their production for the English /r/-/l/ contrast after perceptual training. The results demonstrated that production was significantly improved, but the improvement did not relate to an improvement in the primary acoustic cue use for the contrast (e.g., lowering F3 for English /r/ and raising F3 for English /l/). This suggests that children may respond to phonetic training differently from adults, and improve their production mostly through the modification of secondary acoustic cues.
1. Driving factors of male employment in African countries

The issue of employment is currently one of the greatest development challenges facing countries globally, including those in Africa. In 2011, the global male employment-to-population was estimated at about 72.7% compared to the female employment-to-population ratio of only 47.9%. For Africa as a whole, the employment-to-population ratio for males was estimated at about 69.2% compared to a ratio for females of only 39.2%. In addition to analyzing the characteristics of male employment in Africa, this paper empirically studies its key drivers (proxied by the male employment-to-population ratio for the age group 15–64 over the period 1991–2009), using cross-sectional data. The results suggest that for all-Africa estimation, quadratic (squared) levels of real per capita GDP, greater access to credit by the private sector, more education, and higher male share of the population increase male employment while higher level of real GDP per capita, higher government consumption expenditure, urban share of the population, and being a net oil-exporting country tend to lower it. In Sub-Saharan Africa, our results indicate that higher domestic investment, greater access to credit by the private sector, more education, and higher male share of the population increase male employment, while higher government consumption expenditure, greater openness of the economy, urban share of the population, and being a net oil-exporting country tend to lower it. However, North Africa presents a different picture. The North Africa sample results indicate that while the quadratic (squared) element of democracy, greater access to credit by the private sector, inflation, and greater openness of the economy increase male employment; the level of real GDP per capita, the level of democracy, increased inflow of foreign direct investment, and being a net oil-exporting country tend to lower male employment in the subregion. The policy implications of these results are discussed.
PENGARUH PAD, DAU, DAN SILPA TERHADAP BELANJA MODAL DENGAN PERTUMBUHAN EKONOMI SEBAGAI MODERASI

Regional autonomy is directed to improve overall welfare of the community through service improvement, empowerment and community participation. Regional autonomy is intended to sharpen the essence of financial management in local government administration system concerning the elaboration of the rights and obligations in the management of public finances. This study aims to determine the effect of the pad, dau, and Silpa towards capital expenditure with economic growth as moderating. The population in this study is the public sector finances from 2013 to 2015. The sample in this study were taken by purposive sampling method. Data were analyzed using skewness-kurtosis normality test, classic assumption test, koofisiendeterminasi test, F test and test hypotheses. The test results In the variable PAD, DAU and PE statistically positive effect SILPA At variables are statistically not significant effect on capital spending. The results of the economic growth variable is not found moderating effect of PAD and DAU to capital expenditures. Keywords: PAD, DAU, Silpa, Economic Growth, Capital Expenditure
Comparative Efficacy of Aloe vera and Benzydamine Mouthwashes on Radiation-induced Oral Mucositis: A Triple-blind, Randomised, Controlled Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE To compare the efficacy of an Aloe vera mouthwash with a benzydamine mouthwash in the alleviation of radiation- induced mucositis in head and neck cancer patients using a triple-blind, randomised controlled trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-six eligible head and neck cancer patients who were to receive conventional radiation therapy at the radiation oncology department were randomised to receive an Aloe vera mouthwash or a benzydamine mouthwash. Mucositis severity was assessed during the course of radiation therapy using the WHO grading system. RESULTS At baseline, there was no difference in the distribution of mucositis severity between the two groups. The mean interval between radiation therapy and onset of mucositis was similar for both groups (Aloe vera 15.69±7.77 days, benzydamine 15.85±12.96 days). The mean interval between the start of radiation therapy and the maximum severity of mucositis were was also similar in both the Aloe vera and benzydamine groups (Aloe vera 23.38±10.75 days, benzydamine 23.54±15.45 days). Mean changes of mucositis severity over time in both groups were statistically similar and the effect of both treatments did not change signficantly with time (p=0.09). CONCLUSION Aloe vera mouthwash was as beneficial as benzydamine mouthwash in alleviating the severity of radiation-induced mucositis and showed no side effects. The Aloe vera mouthwash could be an alternative agent in the treatment of radiation-induced mucositis in patients with head and neck cancers.
A comprehensive meta-analysis on evidence of Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular disease: Are individual components equal?

ABSTRACT Many studies have reported that higher adherence to Mediterranean diet may decrease cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and mortality. We performed a meta-analysis to explore the association in prospective studies and randomized control trials (RCTs) between Mediterranean diet adherence and CVD incidence and mortality. The PubMed database was searched up to June 2014. A total of 17 studies were extracted and 11 qualified for the quantitative analysis. Individuals in the highest quantile of adherence to the diet had lower incidence [relative risk (RR): 0.76, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.68, 0.83] and mortality (RR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.83) from CVD compared to those least adherent. A significant reduction of risk was found also for coronary heart disease (CHD) (RR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.60, 0.86), myocardial infarction (MI) (RR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.83), and stroke (RR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.96) incidence. Pooled analyses of individual components of the diet revealed that the protective effects of the diet appear to be most attributable to olive oil, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. An average reduced risk of 40% for the aforementioned outcomes has been retrieved when pooling results of RCTs. A Mediterranean dietary pattern is associated with lower risks of CVD incidence and mortality, including CHD and MI. The relative effects of specific food groups should be further investigated.
Endogenous transforming growth factor‐beta promotes quiescence of primary microglia in vitro

Microglia are the immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS) and play important roles under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Activation of microglia has been reported for a variety of CNS diseases and is believed to be involved in inflammation‐mediated neurodegeneration. Loss of TGFβ1 results in increased microgliosis and neurodegeneration in mice which indicates that TGFβ1 is an important regulator of microglial functions in vivo. Here, we addressed the role of endogenous TGFβ signaling for microglia in vitro. We clearly demonstrate active TGFβ signaling in primary microglia and further introduce Klf10 as a new TGFβ target gene in microglia. Moreover, we provide evidence that microglia express and release TGFβ1 that acts in an autocrine manner to activate microglial TGFβ/Smad signaling in vitro. Using microarrays, we identified TGFβ‐regulated genes in microglia that are involved in TGFβ1 processing, its extracellular storage as well as activation of latent TGFβ. Finally, we demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of microglial TGFβ signaling resulted in upregulation of the proinflammatory markers IL6 and iNOS and downregulation of the alternative activation markers Arg1 and Ym1 in vitro. Together, these data clearly show that endogenous TGFβ1 and autocrine TGFβ signaling is important for microglial quiescence in vitro and further suggest the upregulation of TGFβ1 in neurodegenerative diseases as a mechanism to regulate microglia functions and silence neuroinflammation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Effects of FDI on Renewable Energy Consumption

Today, the discussion regarding the environmental degradation is more active and pressing than ever. In Paris 2015, world leaders signed Agenda 2030, binding them to actively work to keep the global temperature increase below 2 degrees Celsius. This agreement also targets the need for sustainable energy for all humans. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate whether FDI has an effect on the consumption of renewable energy in middle-income countries, with the theory of technology diffusion and pollution havens as a backdrop. To present this research, yearly data on 56 middle-income countries from 1990-2010 have been collected. We use a f panel data model with fixed effects to conduct our regressions. We find that FDI is negatively correlated with the share of renewable energy, but as the negative effect is not all that large, we carefully suggest that technology diffusion takes time. FDI may decrease the share of renewable energy in the present, but could potentially lead to an increase in the future. However, we conclude that more research in the field of Environmental Economics is needed. (Less)
Feasibility of multianimal hyperpolarized 13C MRS

There is great potential for real‐time investigation of metabolism with MRS and hyperpolarized (HP) 13C agents. Unfortunately, HP technology has high associated costs and efficiency limitations that may constrain in vivo studies involving many animals. To improve the throughput of preclinical investigations, we evaluate the feasibility of performing HP MRS on multiple animals simultaneously.
Forced Expression of HLA-DM at the Surface of Dendritic Cells Increases Loading of Synthetic Peptides on MHC Class II Molecules and Modulates T Cell Responses

Adoptive transfer of autologous dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with tumor-associated CD4 and CD8 T cell epitopes represents a promising avenue for the immunotherapy of cancer. In an effort to increase the loading of therapeutic synthetic peptides on MHC II molecules, we used a mutant of HLA-DM (DMY) devoid of its lysosomal sorting motif and that accumulates at the cell surface. Transfection of DMY into HLA-DR+ cells resulted in increased loading of the exogenously supplied HA307–318 peptide, as well as increased stimulation of HA-specific T cells. Also, on transduction in mouse and human DCs, DMY increased loading of HEL48–61 and of the tumor Ag-derived gp100174–190 peptides, respectively. Interestingly, expression of DMY at the surface of APCs favored Th1 differentiation over Th2. Finally, we found that DMY− and DMY+ mouse APCs differentially stimulated T cell hybridomas sensitive to the fine conformation of peptide–MHC II complexes. Taken together, our results suggest that the overexpression of HLA-DMY at the plasma membrane of DCs may improve quantitatively, but also qualitatively, the presentation of CD4 T cell epitopes in cellular vaccine therapies for cancer.