Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic Activity Diversification and Livelihood Outcomes in Smallholder Agriculture in Thika, Kenya

xi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION.1 1.1 Background.1 1.1.1 Economic Activity Diversification. 1 1.1.2 Livelihood Outcomes. 2 1.1.3 Agro-Entrepreneurship Initiatives.4 1.1.4 Small-Scale Farming.5 1.1.5 Smallholder Agriculture in Thika.7 1.1. 6 Cross Cutting Issues in Livelihood Diversification.8 1.2 Research Problem.10 1.3 Research Objectives.12 1.4 Justification of Study.12 1.5 Structure of the Thesis.13 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW.14 2.
Social Media Users’ Legal Consciousness About Privacy

This article explores the ways in which the concept of privacy is understood in the context of social media and with regard to users’ awareness of privacy policies and laws in the ‘Post-Snowden’ era. In the light of presumably increased public exposure to privacy debates, generated partly due to the European “Right to be Forgotten” ruling and the Snowden revelations on mass surveillance, this article explores users’ meaning-making of privacy as a matter of legal dimension in terms of its violations and threats online and users’ ways of negotiating their Internet use, in particular social networking sites. Drawing on the concept of legal consciousness, this article explores through focus group interviews the ways in which social media users negotiate privacy violations and what role their understanding of privacy laws (or lack thereof) might play in their strategies of negotiation. The findings are threefold: first, privacy is understood almost universally as a matter of controlling one’s own data, including information disclosure even to friends, and is strongly connected to issues about personal autonomy; second, a form of resignation with respect to control over personal data appears to coexist with a recognized need to protect one’s private data, while respondents describe conscious attempts to circumvent systems of monitoring or violation of privacy, and third, despite widespread coverage of privacy legal issues in the press, respondents’ concerns about and engagement in “self-protecting” tactics derive largely from being personally affected by violations of law and privacy.
Burden, anxiety and depression in caregivers of Alzheimer patients in the Dominican Republic

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has a major impact by limiting the ability to live independently. This condition of dependency involves all members of the family, particularly those who take direct care of patients. The changes that take place in caregivers' lives may alter their health and have an effect on the care of the sick. Objective To determine the presence of burden, anxiety and depression in caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 67 family caregivers from the Alzheimer's Clinic Research Unit, Memory and Alzheimer, in the city of Santiago, Dominican Republic. Caregivers were evaluated for burden intensity with the Zarit scale and for both depression and anxiety using the respective Hamilton scales. Descriptive statistical analysis and Pearson correlation were used. Results 84% of caregivers were female, and 52% were older than 50 years. A total of 36% exhibited caregiver burden; 19% anxiety symptoms; and 43% depressive symptoms. No statistical significance was found between age, sex and number of hours of care. A significant association was found in the Pearson correlation coefficient between caregiver burden, anxiety and depression. Conclusion Caregiver burden was associated with anxiety and depression. It is important for health professionals to include caregiver assessments in the treatment protocols of dementia. Policy should include support programs for carers.
A discriminative spectral-temporal feature set for motor imagery classification

This paper presents a novel technique for motor imagery event classification. Extraction of discriminative feature is a key to accurate classification. To realize this objective we have explored the use of nonnegative matrix factorization (NNMF) for sparse representation of our input signal and determining the discriminative basis vector. We extract both spectral as well as temporal features from this representation to construct our features set. Band power has been shown to be a powerful discriminative feature of the spectral domain for motor imagery classes. Time Domain Parameter (TDP) taken as a temporal feature measures power of EEG using first few derivatives. Our approach is novel in proposing a fusion of both these features. We have used Hierarchical Alternating Least Square (HALS) as a convergence solution to minimize error function of NNMF as it converges more rapidly as compared to other methods. The proposed feature set has been tested using LDA and SVM classifiers technique for classification of 4-class motor imagery signals. We have compared our approach with others presented in literature using the Dataset 2a of BCI competition IV and has shown that our approach achieves the highest reported mean kappa value of 0.62 with the SVM classifier.
Isozyme-specific effects of protein kinase C in pain modulation.

BACKGROUND Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of serine/threonine kinases that contains more than 10 isozymes. Evidence suggests that PKC may play important roles in pain modulation, but the isozyme-specific effects of PKC on different aspects of pain modulation are not fully understood. We hypothesize that different PKC isozymes play different roles in different aspects of pain modulation. METHODS The nociceptive behaviors of mice with deletion of PKCα, β, γ, or δ in multiple pain models were compared with their respective wild-type littermates. Also, morphine analgesia and the development of morphine tolerance in mice with deletion of PKCγ were compared with their respective wild-type littermates. RESULTS Thermal hyperalgesia induced by complete Freund's adjuvant injection was significantly attenuated by the deletion of PKCβ, γ, or δ, but not PKCα. Deletion of PKCγ significantly attenuated neuropathic mechanical allodynia induced by spared nerve injury, whereas deletion of PKCα enhanced this allodynia. Baseline thermal and mechanical sensitivity, nociceptive behaviors induced by formalin, mechanical allodynia induced by complete Freund's adjuvant injection, were not altered by deletion of PKCα, β, γ, or δ. Finally, morphine analgesia and the development of morphine tolerance were not altered in PKCγ-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS PKC has isozyme-specific effects in pain modulation.
The Role of a Mitochondrial Pathway in the Induction of Apoptosis by Chemicals Extracted from Diesel Exhaust Particles1

We are interested in the cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects of particulate pollutants in the respiratory tract. We demonstrate that methanol extracts made from diesel exhaust particles (DEP) induce apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pulmonary alveolar macrophages and RAW 264.7 cells. The toxicity of these organic extracts mimics the cytotoxicity of the intact particles and could be suppressed by the synthetic sulfhydryl compounds, N-acetylcysteine and bucillamine. Because DEP-induced apoptosis follows cytochrome c release, we studied the effect of DEP chemicals on mitochondrially regulated death mechanisms. Crude DEP extracts induced ROS production and perturbed mitochondrial function before and at the onset of apoptosis. This mitochondrial perturbation follows an orderly sequence of events, which commence with a change in mitochondrial membrane potential, followed by cytochrome c release, development of membrane asymmetry (annexin V staining), and propidium iodide uptake. Structural damage to the mitochondrial inner membrane, evidenced by a decrease in cardiolipin mass, leads to O⨪2 generation and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation (decreased intracellular ATP levels). N-Acetylcysteine reversed these mitochondrial effects and ROS production. Overexpression of the mitochondrial apoptosis regulator, Bcl-2, delayed but did not suppress apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggest that DEP chemicals induce apoptosis in macrophages via a toxic effect on mitochondria.
Robustness of Optimal Interest Rate Rules in an Open Economy

This paper studies optimal interest-rate rules that are robust with respect to exogenous shocks in open economies. When derived from closed economy optimization models, theoretical interest-rate rules tend to be more aggressive than empirical rules. We show that accounting for openness in an economy results in optimal rules that correspond more closely to the rules used in practice: the robustly optimal rules derived in an open-economy model exhibit less inertia and sensitivity to variations in macroeconomic variables.
Postsynaptic diacylglycerol lipase α mediates retrograde endocannabinoid suppression of inhibition in mouse prefrontal cortex

Non‐Technical Summary In multiple brain regions, endogenous cannabinoids suppress inhibitory synaptic transmission; however, the biochemical/molecular pathways for endocannabinoid synthesis are poorly understood. Endocannabinoid signalling may be crucial for microcircuit function in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a cortical region involved in complex behaviours. However, endocannabinoid signalling remains largely unexplored in the PFC. Using enzymatic inhibitors, we show that modulation of inhibitory synaptic transmission in PFC neurons is mediated by the endocannabinoid 2‐arachidonoylglycerol synthesized postsynaptically. Interestingly, diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL), the 2‐arachidonoylglycerol synthesis enzyme, has two isoforms: DAGLα and DAGLβ. Studying PFC neurons from DAGLα−/−, DAGLβ−/− and wild‐type mice, we show that only DAGLα is involved in the suppression of inhibitory transmission in the PFC.
Predictors of mental health service costs for representative cases of psychosis in south London

Background. Increasingly, evaluations of mental health services include an economic component, although often only summary statistics such as the mean or median are reported. Measures of variation are often limited to the standard error or standard deviation, though costs are rarely normally distributed and vary substantially between patients. The aim of this study is to identify factors that can explain variations in the cost of mental health services for epidemiologically representative cases of psychosis. Methods. Cases with ICD-10 diagnoses of functional psychosis were drawn from a sample that included all identified cases of psychosis in two geographically defined sectors in Camberwell, south London. Mental health service use was measured and costed. A predictive model was developed using multiple regression analyses, in which patient characteristics and previous service use indicators were used as predictor variables. Services were measured using the Client Service Receipt Interview. Results. Among the 147 cases included, the amount of cost variation explained by the model was 31·5%. The most significant predictive factor was social functioning, which was highly negatively associated with cost. Conclusions. Current mental health service use can be predicted to a reasonable extent by previous service use and patient characteristics, especially the degree of social disability. Identification of such factors can aid the effective allocation of scarce resources. In particular, subgroups of patients who use most resources can be identified and targeted by mental health services.
HPV vaccine acceptance among female Greek students

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against HPV-related disease. The aim of this study was to assess acceptance of HPV vaccination among female Greek students. A sample of 573 students aged 18-25 years participated in the present study. Interviews were performed using a structured questionnaire. Of the respondents, 3% were not aware of the HPV vaccine. Of the subjects, 10.47% had been administered the HPV vaccine. Of the respondents who had not been administered the vaccine, 43.86% were not willing to accept it because of the rumors of serious side effects. The results highlight the need for additional education and health promotion regarding HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention.
Hepatoprotection and lethality rescue by histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid in fatal hemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND Pharmacological histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, such as known anticonvulsant valproic acid (VPA), demonstrate cytoprotective effects and increase acetylation of nuclear histones, promoting transcriptional activation of deregulated genes. Therefore, we examined protective effects of VPA administration in lethal hemorrhage and analyzed the patterns of hepatic histone acetylation. METHODS Male Wistar Kyoto rats were pretreated with VPA (n = 10) and 2-methyl-2-pentenoic acid (2M2P), structural VPA analog with limited HDAC inhibiting activity (2M2P; n = 8), at 300 mg/kg/dose, administered subcutaneously, 24 hour and immediately before lethal, if untreated, hemorrhage was induced by removing the 60% of total blood volume. Both drugs were dissolved in normal saline (NS) and rats pretreated with corresponding volume of NS served as control group (n = 8). Time to death, the degree of histone acetylation in liver, HDAC activity and markers of cytotoxicity (alpha-glutathione S-transferase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and lactate), and apoptosis were analyzed. RESULTS VPA-pretreated animals demonstrated five-fold increase in survival duration. At 12 hours posthemorrhage, 70% (VPA) and 12% (2M2P) pretreated rats were alive versus 0% in NS group. Hyperacetylation of histones H2A, H3, and H4 indicated the presence of active genes and correlated with survival (VPA > 2M2P > NS). Hemorrhage-induced increases in lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were alleviated by VPA. Moreover, alpha-glutathione S-transferase release, indicative of liver damage, was completely abolished. CONCLUSION VPA offers considerable protection in severe hemorrhagic shock. The role of HDAC inhibition is suggested in mediating prosurvival actions of VPA.
Moderate-domain pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics and endurance running performance

Abstract The aims of this study were to determine if the primary time constant (τ) for oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O2) at the onset of moderate-intensity treadmill exercise is related to endurance running performance, and to establish if τ could be considered a determinant of endurance running performance. Thirty-six endurance trained male runners performed a series of laboratory tests, on separate days, to determine maximal oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O2max), the ventilatory threshold (VT) and running economy. In addition, runners completed six transitions from walking (4 km · h−1) to moderate-intensity running (80% VT) for the determination of the [Vdot]O2 primary time constant and mean response time. During all tests, pulmonary gas-exchange was measured breath-by-breath. Endurance running performance was determined using a treadmill 5-km time-trial, after which runners were considered as combined performers (n=36) and, using a ranking system, high performers (n=10) and low performers (n=10). Relationships between τ and endurance running performance were quantified using correlation coefficients (r). Stepwise multiple regression was used to determine the primary predictor variables of endurance running performance in combined performers. Moderate correlations were observed between τ, mean response time and endurance running performance, but only for the combined performers (r=−0.55, P=0.001 and r=−0.50, P=0.002, respectively). The regression model for predicting 5-km performance did not include τ or mean response time. The velocity at [Vdot]O2max was strongly correlated to endurance running performance in all groups (r=0.72 – 0.84, P < 0.01) and contributed substantially to the prediction of performance. In conclusion, the results suggest that despite their role in determining the oxygen deficit and having a moderate relationship with endurance running performance, neither τ nor mean response time is a primary determinant of endurance running performance.
TanDEM-X Pol-InSAR Inversion for Mangrove Canopy Height Estimation

This paper presents mangrove canopy height estimations using single- and dual-pol TanDEM-X (TDX) data by means of Pol-InSAR techniques. Using the TDX data for forest applications, the penetration capability of X-band into the volume and the polarimetric diversity of interferometric coherence can create false effects that could sometimes lead to biased three-dimensional (3-D) forest parameter estimation. Moreover, in the case of single-pol TDX acquisition (i.e., one independent complex interferometric coherence), it is not possible to perform the inversion without external topographic information due to the underdetermined problem for Pol-InSAR inversion. To solve these problems, the ground phase in the Pol-InSAR model has been estimated directly from TDX interferograms with an assumption that the underlying topography (i.e., water surface level) over mangroves is flat and negligible. With the estimated ground phase that represents water-level elevation in mangroves, the Pol-InSAR inversion from the single- and dual-pol TDX data did not rely on an external DTM data set. The inversion results were validated against airborne lidar measurements in Campeche, Mexico, and in the Zambezi Delta, Mozambique. The single- and dual-pol inversion results showed a successful inversion performance with a high correlation coefficient (0.851-0.919) and with low RMSEs (1.069-1.727 m). The entire inversion performance quality over mangroves at X-band could reach to 10% height estimation accuracy. In addition to Pol-InSAR inversion results, the location of phase center was checked and assessed. The results showed a surprisingly deep location of phase centers from top mangrove canopy (5-7 m, up to 12.36 m) with a similarity at HH and VV polarization.
The language profile of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia

Background The language profile of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) remains to be fully defined. Objective We aimed to quantify the extent of language deficits in this patient group. Methods We assessed a cohort of patients with bvFTD (n=24) in relation to patents with semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA; n=14), nonfluent variant primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA; n=18) and healthy age-matched individuals (n=24) cross-sectionally and longitudinally using a comprehensive battery of language and general neuropsychological tests. Neuroanatomical associations of language performance were assessed using voxel-based morphometry of patients’ brain magnetic resonance images. Results Relative to healthy controls, and after accounting for nonverbal executive performance, patients with bvFTD showed deficits of noun and verb naming and single word comprehension, diminished spontaneous propositional speech and deterioration in naming performance over time. Within the bvFTD group, patients with MAPT mutations had more severe impairments of noun naming and single word comprehension than patients with C9orf72 mutations. Overall the bvFTD group had less severe language deficits than patients with PPA, but showed a language profile that was qualitatively similar to svPPA. Neuroanatomical correlates of naming and word comprehension performance in bvFTD were identified predominantly in inferior frontal and antero-inferior temporal cortices within the dominant hemispheric language network. Conclusions bvFTD is associated with a language profile including verbal semantic impairment that warrants further evaluation as a novel biomarker.
Frequency response of human vestibular reflexes characterized by stochastic stimuli

Stochastic vestibular stimulation (SVS) can be used to study the postural responses to unpredictable vestibular perturbations. The present study seeks to determine if stochastic vestibular stimulation elicits lower limb muscular responses and to estimate the frequency characteristics of these vestibulo‐motor responses in humans. Fourteen healthy subjects were exposed to unpredictable galvanic currents applied on their mastoid processes while quietly standing (±3 mA, 0–50 Hz). The current amplitude and stimulation configuration as well as the subject's head position relative to their feet were manipulated in order to determine that: (1) the muscle responses evoked by stochastic currents are dependent on the amplitude of the current, (2) the muscle responses evoked by stochastic currents are specific to the percutaneous stimulation of vestibular afferents and (3) the lower limb muscle responses exhibit polarity changes with different head positions as previously described for square‐wave galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) pulses. Our results revealed significant coherence (between 0 and 20 Hz) and cumulant density functions (peak responses at 65 and 103 ms) between SVS and the lower limbs' postural muscle activity. The polarity of the cumulant density functions corresponded to that of the reflexes elicited by square‐wave GVS pulses. The SVS–muscle activity coherence and time cumulant functions were modulated by current amplitude, electrode position and head orientation with respect to the subject's feet. These findings strongly support the vestibular origin of the lower limb muscles evoked by SVS. In addition, specific frequency bandwidths in the stochastic vestibular signal contributed to the early (12–20 Hz) and late components (2–10 Hz) of the SVS‐evoked muscular responses. These frequency‐dependent SVS‐evoked muscle responses support the view that the biphasic muscle response is conveyed by two distinct physiological processes.
Ultraviolet irradiation of eggs and blastomere isolation experiments suggest that gastrulation in the direct developing ascidian, Molgula pacifica, requires localized cytoplasmic determinants in the egg and cell signaling beginning at the two‐cell stage

Summary Gastrulation in the maximum direct developing ascidian Molgula pacifica is highly modified compared with commonly studied “model” ascidians in that endoderm cells situated in the vegetal pole region do not undergo typical invagination and due to the absence of a typical blastopore the involution of mesoderm cells is highly modified. At the gastrula stage, embryos are comprised of a central cluster of large yolky cells that are surrounded by a single layer of ectoderm cells in which there is only a slight indication of an inward movement of cells at the vegetal pole. As a consequence, these embryos do not form an archenteron. In the present study, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of fertilized eggs tested the possibility that cortical cytoplasmic factors are required for gastrulation, and blastomere isolation experiments tested the possibility that cell signaling beginning at the two‐cell stage may be required for the development of the gastrula. Irradiation of unoriented fertilized eggs with UV light resulted in late cleavage stage embryos that failed to undergo gastrulation. When blastomeres were isolated from two‐cell embryos, they developed into late cleavage stage embryos; however, they did not undergo gastrulation and subsequently develop into juveniles. These results suggest that cytoplasmic factors required for gastrulation are localized in the egg cortex, but in contrast to previously studied indirect developers, these factors are not exclusively localized in the vegetal pole region at the first stage of ooplasmic segregation. Furthermore, the inability of embryos derived from blastomeres isolated at the two‐cell stage to undergo gastrulation and develop into juveniles suggests that important cell signaling begins as early as the two‐cell stage in M. pacifica. These results are discussed in terms of the evolution of maximum direct development in ascidians.