Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ESSAYS ON INFORMAL CREDIT INTERMEDIATION AND MONETARY POLICY EFFECTIVENESS

Monetary transmission is found very weak in many developing economies. Identifying the factors responsible for the weak transmission is important for an effective monetary policy design. Thus, this study explored the factors that affect monetary transmission. Particularly, it hypothesized that the growth of informal credit intermediation and it linkages with the formal banking system could affect monetary transmission. This is because, informal banking does not fall directly under the regulatory framework for which central banks conduct monetary policy. This notwithstanding, informal and formal banks co-exist in the credit intermediation process. Therefore, this study used a Factor Augmented Vector Auto-regression to investigate the determinants of pass-through in Ghana. Particularly, the study explored the effect of informal banking on monetary transmission. Using data sourced from the World Bank and Bank of Ghana databases, the study found that monetary pass-through is very weak in Ghana. The study found that factors such as non-performing loans, excess liquidity and the level of financial development influence pass-through. Also, informal banking is found to affect transmission, however the effect is minimal. Informal banking reduces pass-through estimates from 0.033 to 0.024.
Mechanisms of pattern generation underlying swimming in Tritonia. IV. Gating of central pattern generator.

Swimming behavior in the marine mollusc Tritonia diomedea is episodic, consisting of a series of alternating dorsal and ventral flexions initiated by a brief sensory stimulus. The swim motor pattern is generated by a network formed of four groups of premotor interneurons: cerebral cell 2 (C2), dorsal swim interneurons (DSIs), and two types of ventral swim interneurons (VSI-A and VSI-B). The initiation and maintenance of swimming depends on the establishment of a long-lasting ramp depolarization in both the premotor, pattern-generating interneurons, and the motor neurons (i.e., flexion neurons). Voltage clamp was used to measure the membrane current responsible for the ramp depolarization. In all cell classes the current had two components: a tonic inward current, which decayed as the swim progressed, and phasic inward current waves, which provided the synaptic drive during each swim burst. The ramp current in the flexion neurons and in C2 was generated largely by activity within the interneuronal pattern-generating network (PGN). The ramp current could be mimicked by driving activity in the pattern-generating interneurons. In VSI-B, the tonic component of the ramp current was independent of activity within the PGN and appeared to be derived from the long-lasting effect of an extrinsic input. The phasic components of the ramp, however, were dependent on PGN activity. The phasic inward current waves were blocked when pattern generation was prevented. In addition, phasic inward currents similar to those occurring during swimming could be produced by driving the C2. The tonic component of the ramp current in a DSI was dependent both on extrinsic inputs and PGN activity. Extrinsic inputs appeared to control the first 10-15 s of the tonic current. At longer times, activity within the DSI population itself maintained the ramp current. When one DSI was driven in a quiescent preparation, all other DSIs were inhibited, yet the DSIs are known to be coupled by monosynaptic, reciprocal excitatory synapses. This effect could be explained by the action of an unidentified inhibitory interneuron (I-neuron), which was excited by DSIs and in turn inhibited all other DSIs. The DSIs were therefore coupled reciprocally by both monosynaptic excitation and polysynaptic inhibition. Activity in C2 switched the DSI-DSI interaction from inhibition to excitation by inhibiting the I-neuron. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Knowledge Spillovers through Labour Mobility: An Employer–Employee Analysis

Abstract Using a 16-year employer–employee panel dataset that contains the entire population of firms and workers in Argentina, this paper provides evidence of the benefits of public support for firm-level innovation for the firms that received support, the workers who were employed by them, and the firms that hired beneficiary workers. The results confirm that participant firms improve their performance and generate valuable productive knowledge, which spills over to workers who directly participated in the program and is diffused through labour mobility to other firms. The worker-level results show that workers exposed to innovation projects receive higher wages. High-skilled workers receive most of the benefits from exposure to innovation, and the wage premium is higher for workers who moved to other firms. At the firm level, the paper provides evidence that hiring workers previously exposed to innovation projects is associated with an increase in firm performance. The findings suggest that labour mobility is an important mechanism for transmitting knowledge between firms.
Apolipoprotein E Genotype and Cognitive Dysfunction after Noncardiac Surgery

Background:Apolipoprotein E is important in recovery after neuronal damage. The &egr;4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene has been shown as a risk factor for Alzheimer disease, poor outcome after cerebral injury, and accelerated cognitive decline with normal aging. The authors hypothesized that patients with the &egr;4 allele would have an increased risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after noncardiac surgery. Methods:In a multicenter study, a total of 976 patients aged 40 yr and older undergoing noncardiac surgery were tested preoperatively and 1 week and 3 months after surgery with a neuropsychological test battery comprising seven subtests. POCD was defined as a decline in test performance of more than 2 SD from the expected. Apolipoprotein E genotypes were determined by blood sample analysis at a central laboratory. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with POCD as the dependent variable assessed presence of the &egr;4 allele (yes/no) and other possible risk factors. Results:The &egr;4 allele was found in 272 patients. One week after surgery, the incidence of POCD was 11.7% in patients with the &egr;4 allele and 9.9% in patients without the &egr;4 allele (P = 0.41). Three months later, POCD was found in 10.3% of patients with the &egr;4 allele and in 8.4% of patients without the &egr;4 allele (P = 0.40). Multivariate logistic regression analysis did not identify the &egr;4 allele as a risk factor at 1 week (P = 0.33) or 3 months (P = 0.57). Conclusions:The authors were unable to show a significant association between apolipoprotein E genotype and POCD, but statistical power was limited because of a lower incidence of POCD than expected.
The Relationships among Experiential Marketing, Service Innovation, and Customer Satisfaction—A Case Study of Tourism Factories in Taiwan

Tourism factories are tourist attractions with values of manufacturing, culture, history, tourism, and recreation, providing a series of activities for tourists to experience the products and the manufacturing process in the mode of experiential marketing so as to enhance their cognition for the products and the corporate image. With the establishment of numerous tourism factories in Taiwan, to be competitive it is essential for the factories to develop unique and innovative modes that are difficult to imitate. This study explores experiential marketing, service innovation, customer satisfaction, and other related issues through research on the tourists of a certain tourism factory. It notes that experiential marketing and service innovation have positive effects on customer satisfaction. Tourists’ levels of consciousness of sensual and emotional experience in experiential marketing is very high. Therefore, to strengthen experiential marketing towards customers, applying electronic media to reinforce knowledge of the corporation and products will promote the corporation’s image and product packaging. It will also familiarize customers with the operating philosophy of the corporation and the characteristics of the products so that their purchase intentions will increase, resulting in sustainable development of the business.
Modelling maintenance of wakefulness in rats: comparing potential non‐invasive sleep‐restriction methods and their effects on sleep and attentional performance

While several methods have been used to restrict the sleep of experimental animals, it is often unclear whether these different forms of sleep restriction have comparable effects on sleep–wake architecture or functional capacity. The present study compared four models of sleep restriction, using enforced wakefulness by rotation of cylindrical home cages over 11 h in male Wistar rats. These included an electroencephalographic‐driven ‘Biofeedback’ method and three non‐invasive methods where rotation was triggered according to a ‘Constant’, ‘Decreasing’ or random protocol based upon the ‘Weibull’ distribution fit to an archival Biofeedback dataset. Sleep–wake architecture was determined using polysomnography, and functional capacity was assessed immediately post‐restriction with a simple response latency task, as a potential homologue of the human psychomotor vigilance task. All sleep restriction protocols resulted in sleep loss, behavioural task disengagement and rebound sleep, although no model was as effective as real‐time electroencephalographic‐Biofeedback. Decreasing and Weibull protocols produced greater recovery sleep than the Constant protocol, mirrored by comparably poorer simple response latency task performance. Increases in urinary corticosterone levels following Constant and Decreasing protocols suggested that stress levels may differ between protocols. Overall, these results provide insight into the value of choosing a specific sleep restriction protocol, not only from the perspective of animal welfare and the use of less invasive procedures, but also translational validity. A more considered choice of the physiological and functional effects of sleep‐restriction protocols in rodents may improve correspondence with specific types of excessive daytime sleepiness in humans.
[Analysis of genetic diversity and genetic relationships of Lonicera macranthoides cultivars].

OBJECTIVE To study genetic diversity and genetic relationships among Lonicera macranthoides cultivars. METHOD Five cultivars were estimated by ISSR and SRAP. The data of amplified bands were analyzed by Treeconw software. The system diagram of genetic relationship was built by UPGMA. RESULT Twenty ISSR primers amplified 186 bands with 103 (54.63%) polymorphic bands and 58 SRAP primer combinations amplified 591 bands with 347(55.46%) polymorphic bands. Genetic distance ranges were 0.058 4-0.230 8 (by ISSRs) and 0.1071-0.2611 (by SRAPs). Both ISSR and SRAP analyses revealed a middle level of genetic diversity in L. macranthoides cultivars. The dendrograms based on SRAP and ISSR markers were not all the same. CONCLUSION The genetic diversity of L. macranthoides cultivars is middle. ISSR and SRAP markers can be effectively applied to genetic analysis in L. macranthoides cultivars.
Influence of Hepatic and Intestinal Cytochrome P4503A Activity on the Acute Disposition and Effects of Oral Transmucosal Fentanyl Citrate

Background: Oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTF) was developed to provide rapid analgesia and is specifically approved for treating breakthrough cancer pain. Fentanyl in OTF is absorbed across the oral mucosa, but a considerable portion is swallowed and absorbed enterally. Fentanyl metabolism is catalyzed by cytochrome P4503A4 (CYP3A). The role of intestinal or hepatic first-pass metabolism and CYP3A activity in OTF disposition is unknown. This investigation examined the influence of hepatic and intestinal CYP3A activity on the disposition and clinical effects of OTF. Methods: Healthy volunteers (n = 12) were studied in an Institutional Review Board-approved, randomized, balanced, four-way crossover. They received OTF (10 &mgr;g/kg) after hepatic/intestinal CYP3A induction by rifampin, hepatic/intestinal CYP3A inhibition by troleandomycin, selective intestinal CYP3A inhibition by grapefruit juice, or nothing (control). Plasma fentanyl and norfentanyl concentrations were determined by mass spectrometry. Fentanyl effects were measured by dark-adapted pupil diameter and subjective self-assessments using visual analog scales. Results: Peak plasma fentanyl concentrations, time to peak, and maximum pupil diameter change from baseline were unchanged after rifampin, troleandomycin, and grapefruit juice. Fentanyl elimination, however, was significantly affected by CYP3A alterations. After control, rifampin, troleandomycin and grapefruit juice, respectively, area under the curve of plasma fentanyl versus time was 5.9 ± 3.7, 2.2 ± 0.8,* 10.4 ± 8.9,* and 5.8 ± 3.3 h·ng/ml; norfentanyl/fentanyl plasma area under the curve ratios were 0.92 ± 0.63, 3.2 ± 1.8,* 0.08 ± 0.14,* and 0.67 ± 0.33 (*P < 0.05 versus control). Discussion: Peak fentanyl concentrations and clinical effects after OTF were minimally affected by altering both intestinal and hepatic CYP3A activity, whereas fentanyl metabolism, elimination, and duration of effects were significantly affected; selective intestinal CYP3A inhibition had minimal effects. This suggests that first-pass metabolism minimally influences OTF bioavailability. When treating breakthrough pain, with careful attention to maximal mucosal absorption and minimal swallowing, CYP3A variability and drug interactions are unlikely to affect the onset or magnitude of OTF analgesia; however, duration may be affected.
Conformational constraints for protein self-cleavage in the proteasome.

The proteasome is the central enzyme of protein degradation in the cytosol and the nucleus. It is involved in the removal of abnormal, misfolded or incorrectly assembled proteins, in the processing or degradation of transcriptional regulators in stress response, in degradation of cyclins in cell-cycle control, in the destruction of transcription factors or metabolic enzymes in cell differentiation and metabolic response, and in MHC class I mediated cellular immune response. By the analysis of the crystal and molecular structures of the 20 S proteasomes from the archaeon Thermoplasma acidophilum and from yeast it was shown that the beta-type subunits in which the proteolytic activities reside are members of the N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn) protein family. They are synthesized as proproteins and become active by autoprocessing at a Gly-1-Thr1 bond. The Thr1Ala mutant of subunit beta1/Pre3 of the 20 S proteasome from yeast is unable to autolyse. Its crystal and molecular structure at 2.2 A resolution described here shows that the pro-segment adopts a well-defined gamma-turn conformation at Gly-1 and provides a first view at an autolysis site in Ntn hydrolases. The Gly-1 carbonyl oxygen displays two hydrogen bonds. The modelled Thr1 side-chain is located above the gamma-turn bulge such that addition of its nucleophilic hydroxyl group to the electrophilic Gly-1 carbonyl carbon atom may proceed by very small motions. The pro-segment binding site and the catalytic site provide a rigid structural framework and appropriate hydrogen bond donors for this reaction. The same structure also supports addition of the Thr1 hydroxyl group to the carbonyl carbon atom of Leu-2 as a model for the first step in substrate hydrolysis by the proteasome.
A qualitative investigation of problem gambling as an escape-based coping strategy.

BACKGROUND There has been a small but growing body, of largely quantitative research, that has examined problem gambling in the context of poor coping skills. These studies suggest that gambling may be used as an alternative method of coping that some will use to distract themselves from having to deal with problems in their lives. OBJECTIVES To examine the role that gambling plays in the lives of problem gamblers and the extent to which it may be used as a means of coping. DESIGN Fifty problem gamblers, ranging in age from 18 to 63 years, with an average age of 39 years, were interviewed. The focus of the interview was upon the participant's accounts of how their gambling problem had developed and the role that gambling played in their lives. A structured grounded theory approach was utilized. RESULTS Following the selective coding process, 'gambling to escape' was identified as the core category. This state was achieved through 'mood modification', involving fantasies, dissociation and/or changes in arousal. For some problem gamblers seeking mood modification was their primary motivation. For others mood modification was sought as a means to cope with one or two other psychological and/or psychosocial states consisting of 'filling the void' and/or 'avoiding problems'. Two other factors sometimes influenced the need to gamble, either directly through 'control beliefs' or through 'cognitive regret'. CONCLUSIONS Escape was the prime characteristic of the gambling experience that facilitated the continuation of problem gambling among the interviewed participants. In relation to these findings, the implications for prevention, intervention, treatment and future research are discussed.
The role of adenylyl cyclase isoform 6 in β‐adrenoceptor signalling in murine airways

Adenylyl cyclase (AC) is a key signalling enzyme for many GPCRs and catalyses the conversion of ATP to cAMP which, in turn, is a crucial determinant of many biological responses. β‐Adrenoceptor agonists are prescribed as bronchodilators for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and it is commonly assumed that they elicit their actions via AC‐dependent production of cAMP. However, empirical evidence in support of this is lacking and the exact mechanism by which these drugs acts remains elusive. This is partly due to the existence of at least 10 different isoforms of AC and the absence of any truly selective pharmacological inhibitors. Here, we have used genetically modified mice and model systems to establish the role of AC isoforms in the airway responses to β‐adrenoceptor agonists.
Effects of Tax Burden on Foreign Direct Investment Inflows into the East African Community Countries: Empirical Evidence

This research was an empirical study on the effects of tax burden on foreign direct investment inflows into the East African Community member countries. The purpose of the study was to determine empirically the effect of tax burden on foreign direct investment inflows into the East African Community countries. This study is anchored on tax competition theory which supports the proposition that in host countries, when tax burden decreases, FDI inflows increase. Therefore, host governments lower tax burden to attract increased and consistent investment inflows into the country. Hence, this strategy creates competitive advantage based on tax. Equally, this competitive advantage is expected to result in benefits such as human capital and financial development that positively impact on the economic development in the country (Yin, Ye and Xu, 2014). Therefore, use of tax burden to attract FDI inflows is an act of tax competition. World over, several empirical studies have been conducted to establish the relationship between tax burden and FDI inflows. Some studies have found that tax burden has positive effect on FDI inflows while other studies have found that tax burden has negative effect on FDI inflows. Still, other studies have found that tax burden has no effect on FDI inflows. Therefore, there is no consensus on the effects of tax burden on FDI inflows. This study seeks to answer the question: what is the effect of tax burden on FDI inflows into the EAC countries? The study used correlational research design on secondary data from 2000 to 2013 for Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. The dependent variable was FDI inflows while the independent variable was tax burden. Data analysis (Johansen tests of co-integration, summary statistics tests, variable’s trends, covariance analysis, correlation analysis, Granger-causality and Vector Error Correction (VECM) Models) and hypothesis tests (ANOVA and regression analyses) were conducted. The study found that tax burden had insignificant negative coefficients during the study period. The study concluded that tax burden had insignificant negative effect on FDI inflows in the EAC countries. Therefore, tax competition theory does not hold in the East African Community countries. The study contributes to research by providing empirical evidence on the relationship between tax burden and FDI inflows in the EAC countries. In addition, the study contributes to practice since tax policy formulation in the EAC countries as evidenced by tax incentives such as tax concessions and tax holidays is influenced by the need to attract FDI inflows. However, the results indicate that there is need to refocus away from use of tax policy in efforts attract FDI inflows into the EAC countries. The study recommends a repeat of same study in presence of other independent factors such as economic development indicators and macroeconomic factors to determine the effect of tax burden on FDI inflows into the EAC countries. Key Words: Tax Burden, FDI Inflows & East African Community Countries.
A Randomized Trial of Female-Specific Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Alcohol Dependent Women

This study compared Female-Specific Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (FS-CBT) to evidence-based, gender-neutral CBT (GN-CBT; Epstein & McCrady, 2009) for women with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Women (N = 99) with AUD, mean age 48, were randomly assigned to 12 outpatient manual-guided sessions of FS-CBT (n = 44) or GN-CBT (n = 55). Women were assessed at baseline and 3, 9 and 15 months after baseline for drinking and for specific issues common among women with AUD. A FS-CBT protocol was developed that was discriminable on treatment integrity ratings from GN-CBT. No treatment condition differences were found in treatment engagement, changes in drinking, alcohol-related coping, abstinence self-efficacy, motivation to change, or constructs directly targeted in FS-CBT (sociotropy, autonomy, depression, anxiety). Women in both conditions were highly engaged and satisfied with treatment, and reported significant reductions in drinking and changes in desired directions for all other variables except social support for abstinence. In the year following treatment, women in the FS-CBT but not in the CBT condition reported an increase in percentage of abstainers in their social networks (0.69% per month, SE = 0.21, p = .002). The value and appeal of female-specific programming in AUD treatment has been established in the wider literature (Epstein & Menges, 2013), and the current study provides support for the use of the Female-Specific Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (FS-CBT) manual as an option that may yield outcomes similar to standard gender-neutral CBT for women with AUD. Future research should examine whether FS-CBT enhances treatment utilization for women.