Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors in the decision by Swiss farmers to convert to organic farming

Abstract Demonstrated economic benefits of conversion to organic agriculture, combined with solutions to technical and production-related problems, suggest that farmers in Switzerland should have converted in large numbers to organic production. However, the number of organic farms in Switzerland has remained virtually constant in the last 10 yr, so it appears there are other factors that influence the decision of whether or not to convert. Several studies have sought to identify the factors that influence the decisions by farmers whether or not to convert to organic, but have found a range of factors that appear to be context dependent, while others can be seen as context transcendent, which makes it difficult to draw generalizable conclusions. The aim of this study was to identify how Swiss farmers’ decisions reflect the interaction of perceptions, relationships, policies and economic factors, which either enable or provide barriers to conversion. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2015 with 39 farmers of mixed and arable farms in the German- (n = 24) and French-speaking (n = 15) parts of Switzerland. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed according to their content. The results show that the decision of whether or not to convert relies on belief that technical problems have been sufficiently solved, as well as a range of social factors. Farmers perceive social pressure for them to be productive, but non-organic farmers often incorrectly perceive organic farming as not being oriented toward production. Furthermore, ‘official’ advice, which could correct this misperception, is sought about how, rather than whether, to convert and typically comes after farmers have made their decision. Major barriers in an area with a low density of organic farms are the lack of supply and delivery points within an acceptable travel distance, and lack of peer networks to provide informal support. On the basis of these findings, we propose that strategies to encourage conversion should be based around two main pillars: investment to create a network of supply and delivery points in areas with low density of organic farms; and actions, such as information events, to encourage dialogue between conventional and organic farmers to counteract feelings of ‘us vs them’.
The Dynamics of Japanese Government Bonds’ Nominal Yields

This paper employs a Keynesian perspective to explain why Japanese government bonds' (JGBs) nominal yields have been low for more than two decades. It deploys several vector error correction (VEC) models to estimate long-term government bond yields. It shows that the low short-term interest rate, induced by the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) accommodative monetary policy, is mainly responsible for keeping long-term JGBs' nominal yields exceptionally low for a protracted period. The results also demonstrate that higher government debt and deficit ratios do not exert upward pressure on JGBs' nominal yields. These findings are relevant to ongoing policy debates in Japan and other advanced countries about government bond yields, fiscal sustainability, fiscal policy, functional finance, monetary policy, and financial stability.
Skin test and RAST responses to wheat and common allergens and respiratory disease in bakers

Interrelationships between skin and humoral tests for immediate hypersensitivity to wheat and indicators of respiratory disease were examined in 176 male bakers. Skin tests were assessed by measuring the diameter of the weal resulting from prick innoculation of allergen extract and circulating allergen‐specific IgE by radioallergosorbent test (RAST). Fifteen per cent of subjects showed positive skin‐prick test responses to wheat extracts. These subjects demonstrated an increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms and of measurable bronchial responsiveness to methacholine. Thirty per cent of subjects had positive skin test responses to common allergens but negative responses to whole wheat. Compared to subjects with no positive skin test responses they had an increased prevalence of bronchial responsiveness to methacholine but a similar prevalence of respiratory symptoms.
Macroeconomic Attention and the Stock Market

We construct indices of media attention to macroeconomic risks including employment, growth, inflation, monetary policy, and oil prices. Attention rises around macroeconomic announcements and following changes in fundamentals over quarterly, annual, and business cycle horizons. The effect is asymmetric, with bad news raising attention more than good news. Attention relates to the stock market in two ways. First, increases in aggregate trade volume and volatility coincide with rising attention, controlling for announcements. Second, changes in attention prior to the unemployment announcement predict both the announcement surprise and stock returns on the announcement day. We conclude that media attention to macroeconomic fundamentals provides useful information beyond the dates and contents of macroeconomic announcements.
Overexpression of a tomato miR171 target gene SlGRAS24 impacts multiple agronomical traits via regulating gibberellin and auxin homeostasis

Summary In Arabidopsis, the miR171‐GRAS module has been clarified as key player in meristem maintenance. However, the knowledge about its role in fruit crops like tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) remains scarce. We previously identified tomato SlGRAS24 as a target gene of Sly‐miR171. To study the role of this probable transcription factor, we generated transgenic tomato plants underexpressing SlGRAS24, overexpressing SlGRAS24, overexpressing Sly‐miR171 and expressing β‐glucuronidase (GUS) under the SlGRAS24 promoter (proSlGRAS24‐GUS). Plants overexpressing SlGRAS24 (SlGRAS24‐OE) had pleiotropic phenotypes associated with multiple agronomical traits including plant height, flowering time, leaf architecture, lateral branch number, root length, fruit set and development. Many GA/auxin‐related genes were down‐regulated and altered responsiveness to exogenous IAA/NAA or GA 3 application was observed in SlGRAS24‐OE seedlings. Moreover, compromised fruit set and development in SlGRAS24‐OE was also observed. These newly identified phenotypes for SlGRAS24 homologs in tomato were later proved to be caused by impaired pollen sacs and fewer viable pollen grains. At anthesis, the comparative transcriptome results showed altered expression of genes involved in pollen development and hormone signalling. Taken together, our data demonstrate that SlGRAS24 participates in a series of developmental processes through modulating gibberellin and auxin signalling, which sheds new light on the involvement of hormone crosstalk in tomato development.
The Social Efficiency for Sustainability: European Cooperative Banking Analysis

This paper seeks to establish the relationship between economic efficiency and social efficiency to analyze the sustainability of banking in Europe. The type-effect has been analyzed, as stakeholder value banks—cooperatives and saving banks—should not be less socially and economically efficient than commercial banks. This European analysis was made using the Bankscope database, as it provides a unique insight into the stakeholder view that clarifies, by an analysis of two-stage boundaries, that there is no single model of social and economic efficiency according to the type of financial entity in Europe. These findings contribute to the social cost paradox and shared value perspective, and more broadly to stakeholder theory. It is established that a tradeoff between economic and social efficiency is not needed. There are different behaviors in different European countries. Moreover, our results could lead to the development of social indicators of the sustainability aspects of organizations without resorting to traditional accounting.
Utility of the Rome I and Rome II criteria for irritable bowel syndrome in U.S. women

OBJECTIVE:Using interview data from a large, community-based sample of American women, we assessed the lifetime prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) using questions consistent with the Rome II criteria, determined the sensitivity of Rome I and II in women diagnosed with IBS by their community physician, and identified whether there are differences in the patients identified by Rome I versus II.METHODS:A geographically diverse national probability sample of women diagnosed with IBS was identified and interviewed by telephone screening of a national, random digit dialing sample of households. A parallel national survey of adult females was conducted to determine the lifetime prevalence of IBS in U.S. women. Screening and interviews were conducted by experienced, female interviewers. IBS was defined by variations on the Rome I/II criteria.RESULTS:In the national community sample, lifetime IBS prevalence was 5.4% using Rome II. Full interviews were completed in 1014 IBS patients. In the IBS sample, Rome I was significantly more sensitive than Rome II (84% vs 49%, p < 0.001). There was 47% agreement between Rome I and II. Of patients with IBS by Rome I, 58% met Rome II. Only 17.7% did not meet either Rome I or II.CONCLUSION:Rome I was more sensitive than Rome II in this community sample of female IBS patients. Rome I/II do not necessarily identify the same IBS patients. These findings have important implications for clinical research in IBS patients and raise questions about whether the Rome II criteria are sensitive enough to be useful in clinical practice.
Lying Takes Time: A Meta-Analysis on Reaction Time Measures of Deception

Lie detection techniques are frequently used, but most of them have been criticized for the lack of empirical support for their predictive validity and presumed underlying mechanisms. This situation has led to increased efforts to unravel the cognitive mechanisms underlying deception and to develop a comprehensive theory of deception. A cognitive approach to deception has reinvigorated interest in reaction time (RT) measures to differentiate lies from truths and to investigate whether lying is more cognitively demanding than truth telling. Here, we provide the results of a meta-analysis of 114 studies (n = 3307) using computerized RT paradigms to assess the cognitive cost of lying. Results revealed a large standardized RT difference, even after correction for publication bias (d = 1.049; 95% CI [0.930; 1.169]), with a large heterogeneity amongst effect sizes. Moderator analyses revealed that the RT deception effect was smaller, yet still large, in studies in which participants received instructions to avoid detection. The autobiographical Implicit Association Test produced smaller effects than the Concealed Information Test, the Sheffield Lie Test, and the Differentiation of Deception paradigm. An additional meta-analysis (17 studies, n = 348) showed that, like other deception measures, RT deception measures are susceptible to countermeasures. Whereas our meta-analysis corroborates current cognitive approaches to deception, the observed heterogeneity calls for further research on the boundary conditions of the cognitive cost of deception. RT-based measures of deception may have potential in applied settings, but countermeasures remain an important challenge.
Ihh controls cartilage development by antagonizing Gli3, but requires additional effectors to regulate osteoblast and vascular development

Indian hedgehog (Ihh) controls multiple aspects of endochondral skeletal development, including proliferation and maturation of chondrocytes, osteoblast development and cartilage vascularization. Although it is known that Gli transcription factors are key effectors of hedgehog signaling, it has not been established which Gli protein mediates Ihh activity in skeletal development. Here, we show that removal of Gli3 in Ihh-null mouse embryos restored normal proliferation and maturation of chondrocytes, but only partially rescued the defects in osteoblast development and cartilage vascularization. Remarkably, in both Ihh-/- and Ihh-/-; Gli3-/- embryos, vascularization promoted osteoblast development in perichondrial progenitor cells. Our results not only establish Gli3 as a critical effector for Ihh activity in the developing skeleton, but also identify an osteogenic role for a vasculature-derived signal, which integrates with Ihh and Wnt signals to determine the osteoblast versus chondrocyte fate in the mesenchymal progenitors.
Disparities in ovarian cancer care quality and survival according to race and socioeconomic status.

BACKGROUND The relationship between racial and socioeconomic status (SES) disparities and the quality of epithelial ovarian cancer care and survival outcome are unclear. METHODS A population-based analysis of National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) records for invasive primary epithelial ovarian cancer diagnosed in the period from 1998 to 2002 was done using data from patients classified as white or black. Adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline care was defined by stage-appropriate surgical procedures and recommended chemotherapy. The main outcome measures were differences in adherence to NCCN guidelines and overall survival according to race and SES and were analyzed using binomial logistic regression and multilevel survival analysis. RESULTS A total of 47 160 patients (white = 43 995; black = 3165) were identified. Non-NCCN-guideline-adherent care was an independent predictor of inferior overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.38 to 1.47). Demographic characteristics independently associated with a higher likelihood of not receiving NCCN guideline-adherent care were black race (odds ratio [OR] = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.25 to 1.48), Medicare payer status (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.12 to 1.28), and not insured payer status (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.19 to 1.49). After controlling for disease and treatment-related variables, independent racial and SES predictors of survival were black race (HR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.22 to 1.36), Medicaid payer status (HR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.20 to 1.38), not insured payer status (HR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.20 to 1.44), and median household income less than $35 000 (HR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.11). CONCLUSIONS These data highlight statistically and clinically significant disparities in the quality of ovarian cancer care and overall survival, independent of NCCN guidelines, along racial and SES parameters. Increased efforts are needed to more precisely define the patient, provider, health-care system, and societal factors leading to these observed disparities and guide targeted interventions.
Age‐related loss of synapses in the frontal cortex of SAMP10 mouse: A model of cerebral degeneration

SAMP10 mouse is a model of brain aging in which senescence is characterized by cerebral atrophy most prominent in the frontal cortex, deterioration in performance of learning and memory tasks, and alterations of the central dopaminergic system. The present study investigates age‐related changes in the expression of synapse‐related proteins to determine whether the number of synapses is decreased in SAMP10 mice. We quantified expression levels of synaptophysin, a presynaptic protein, and of PSD‐95, a postsynaptic protein in various brain regions by immunoblotting. Both synapse‐related proteins (52% of synaptophysin and 55% of PSD‐95) were lost from the anterior cerebral cortex in SAMP10 mice at age 10–12 months compared with those in mice at age 3 months. Synaptophysin was lost by 30% from the posterior cerebral cortex of SAMP10 mice at age 15–16 months. The level of synaptophysin, but not of PSD‐95 decreased by about 25% in the brain stem of SAMP10 mice aged 7 and 10–12 months. A loss of synapse‐related proteins was not significant in other brain regions. Age‐related loss of synaptophysin or PSD‐95 was not evident in normal aging control SAMR1 mice that do not develop brain atrophy. In summary, synapses were lost with aging in SAMP10 mice and the synaptic loss was most prominent in the anterior cerebral neocortex. Since a loss of neocortical synapses is the primary correlate with the intellectual decline in human neurodegenerative diseases, SAMP10 mouse is a useful model with which to study the mechanisms underlying synaptic loss in human neurodegenerative dementias. Synapse 48:198–204, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tibial stress fractures in racing standardbreds: 13 cases (1989-1993).

OBJECTIVE To determine clinical signs, radiographic and scintigraphic findings, and performance outcome of racing Standardbreds with tibial stress fractures. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 13 racing Standardbreds with tibial stress fractures. PROCEDURE Information concerning clinical signs, diagnostic evaluation, and recommendations was obtained by review of the medical records. Performance information before and after diagnosis of the fracture was collected from racing records, and follow-up information was obtained from the owners or trainers by use of a telephone questionnaire. RESULTS Horses with tibial stress fractures were moderately lame, and diagnosis was made by nuclear scintigraphy and radiography. Fractures were more likely to occur in 2-year-old horses than in older horses. The fracture location was unique for Standardbreds; 11 of 13 developed stress fractures in the mid-diaphysis of the tibia, whereas fractures in Thoroughbreds are usually in the proximal caudal or caudolateral cortex. Fractures occurred in young horses that had raced or were in advanced race training. All horses were treated with rest alone, and 10 of 13 horses raced after injury. The horses that raced after injury were able to return to a level of performance that was equal to or better than the level raced before injury. 8 of 10 horses established a lifetime-best winning time after injury. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Tibial stress fractures are a cause of lameness in young racing Standardbreds. Diagnosis is aided by nuclear scintigraphy. The prognosis for return to previous level of performance after a tibial stress fracture is good.
Prescribing and dispensing activities at the health facilities of a non-governmental organization.

BACKGROUND Prescribing and dispensing surveys are pre-requisites to achieving rational drug use. There is a dearth of such studies in India, particularly in the non-governmental organization sector. METHODS We carried out a survey at the outpatient facilities maintained by the Southern Health Improvement Samity, a non-governmental organization in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Data were collected prospectively by interviewing patients immediately after patient-physician and patient-dispenser encounters. Pre-designed forms were used to collect data pertaining to World Health Organization drug-use indicators and some additional indices. The calculations of cost of therapy involved some approximation. RESULTS Of the 312 prescriptions analysed, the majority were signed, legible and complete with respect to age/gender data; 95.5% used Latin abbreviations and 7.7% mentioned neither signs and symptoms nor diagnosis. The average number of drugs per encounter was 3.2; only 2 patients were treated without drugs; 46.2% of drugs were prescribed by generic name. Use of antibiotics (72.8% of encounters) and irrational fixed dose combinations (45.6% of prescribed drugs) were frequent, but injection use (3.9% of prescriptions) was low. The average drug cost per encounter was Rs 74.19, of which antibiotics comprised 37.1%. The availability of first-line antitubercular drugs was adequate but other key drugs were in limited supply. Essential drugs lists and formularies were not followed. Only 45.7% of prescribed drugs conformed to the World Health Organization model list of essential drugs. Only 12 preparations accounted for 70.9% of the prescribed drugs, including therapeutically doubtful ones such as cough syrups, multivitamins and carminative syrups. For the dispensing survey, 301 prescriptions were analysed separately. All the prescribed drugs were supplied for only 11.6% of prescriptions. There were no serious errors in dispensing but 43.8% of dispensed products were inadequately labelled. Patients knew the correct mode of use for 64.5% of dispensed drugs. The average consultation and dispensing times were 3.7 and 3.1 minutes, respectively. CONCLUSION Frequent use of antibiotics, irrational fixed dose combinations and preparations of uncertain efficacy, inadequate labelling of dispensed drugs and lack of access to standard tools for rational drug use such as locally adapted essential drugs list, formularies and standard treatment guidelines were some of the problematic prescribing and dispensing trends identified through this survey. Educational interventions are required to rectify these problems.
Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in sheep breeders

Background: The European Farmers’ Study has indicated that sheep farmers might be at risk for the development of respiratory symptoms. Aims: To assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in sheep breeders and potential work related risk factors. Methods: All sheep breeders listed in two regions of South Germany were asked to answer a mailed questionnaire on respiratory symptoms, work related respiratory symptoms (WRS), and details of farming. Overall, 325 sheep breeders keeping at least 10 sheep could be included in the survey (response rate 81.9%). The prevalences were compared to the results of the European Farmers’ Study. Results: Sheep breeders showed a significantly higher prevalence of asthma related symptoms (prevalence odds ratio (POR) 2.1, 95% CI 1.5 to 3.0), chronic phlegm (POR 4.0, 95% CI 2.8 to 5.9), and WRS (POR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.2) after adjusting for age, gender, smoking habits, full time farming, and study centre. In the multiple logistic regression model the risk for asthma related symptoms was doubled in full time farmers (POR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.3). The major predictor of WRS was full time farming (POR 1.6, 95% CI 0.93 to 2.7) and the use of chemical footbaths (POR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.7). Conclusions: Sheep breeders might be at high risk for the development of respiratory symptoms. These symptoms may be associated with work intensity and chemical exposure during work. Studies including objective measurements should be performed.
Kin Selection and Parasite Evolution: Higher and Lower Virulence with Hard and Soft Selection

Conventional models predict that low genetic relatedness among parasites that coinfect the same host leads to the evolution of high parasite virulence. Such models assume adaptive responses to hard selection only. We show that if soft selection is allowed to operate, low relatedness leads instead to the evolution of low virulence. With both hard and soft selection, low relatedness increases the conflict among coinfecting parasites. Although parasites can only respond to hard selection by evolving higher virulence and overexploiting their host, they can respond to soft selection by evolving other adaptations, such as interference, that prevent overexploitation. Because interference can entail a cost, the host may actually be underexploited, and virulence will decrease as a result of soft selection. Our analysis also shows that responses to soft selection can have a much stronger effect than responses to hard selection. After hard selection has raised virulence to a level that is an evolutionarily stable strategy, the population, as expected, cannot be invaded by more virulent phenotypes that respond only to hard selection. The population remains susceptible to invasion by a less virulent phenotype that responds to soft selection, however. Thus, hard and soft selection are not just alternatives. Rather, soft selection is expected to prevail and often thwart the evolution of virulence in parasites. We review evidence from several parasite systems and find support for soft selection. Most of the examples involve interference mechanisms that indirectly prevent the evolution of higher virulence. We recognize that hard selection for virulence is more difficult to document, but we take our results to suggest that a kin selection model with soft selection may have general applicability.