Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
2-Deoxy-d-Glucose Treatment Decreases Anti-inflammatory M2 Macrophage Polarization in Mice with Tumor and Allergic Airway Inflammation

As important effector cells in inflammation, macrophages can be functionally polarized into either inflammatory M1 or alternatively activated anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype depending on surroundings. The key roles of glycolysis in M1 macrophage polarization have been well defined. However, the relationship between glycolysis and M2 polarized macrophages is still poorly understood. Here, we report that 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG), an inhibitor of the glycolytic pathway, markedly inhibited the expressions of Arg, Ym-1, Fizz1, and CD206 molecules, the hall-markers for M2 macrophages, during macrophages were stimulated with interleukin 4. The impacted M2 macrophage polarization by 2-DG is not due to cell death but caused by the impaired cellular glycolysis. Molecular mechanism studies indicate that the effect of 2-DG on M2 polarized macrophages relies on AMPK-Hif-1α-dependent pathways. Importantly, 2-DG treatment significantly decreases anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage polarization and prevents disease progression in a series of mouse models with chitin administration, tumor, and allergic airway inflammation. Thus, the identification of the master role of glycolysis in M2 macrophage polarization offers potential molecular targets for M2 macrophages-mediated diseases. 2-DG therapy may have beneficial effects in patients with tumors or allergic airway inflammation by its negative regulation on M2 macrophage polarization.
The Impact of Climate Change on Meningitis in Northwest Nigeria: An Assessment Using CMIP5 Climate Model Simulations

AbstractMeningitis remains a major health burden throughout Sahelian Africa, especially in heavily populated northwest Nigeria with an annual incidence rate ranging from 18 to 200 per 100 000 people for 2000–11. Several studies have established that cases exhibit sensitivity to intra- and interannual climate variability, peaking during the hot and dry boreal spring months, raising concern that future climate change may increase the incidence of meningitis in the region. The impact of future climate change on meningitis risk in northwest Nigeria is assessed by forcing an empirical model of meningitis with monthly simulations of seven meteorological variables from an ensemble of 13 statistically downscaled global climate model projections from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Experiment (CMIP5) for representative concentration pathway (RCP) 2.6, 6.0, and 8.5 scenarios, with the numbers representing the globally averaged top-of-the-atmosphere radiative imbalance (in W m−2) in 2100. The results su.
Trying to Understand Low-income Housing Subsidies: Lessons from the United States

This article asks why nations subsidise their low-income housing sectors and offers five reasons: to improve public health; to reduce societal injustice; to preserve the social order; to increase equality of opportunity; and, to accommodate population growth. After discussing those reasons in some detail, they are used as a framework for exploring some salient questions about low-income housing policy in the US. It is suggested that the framework would also be useful for analysis of low-income housing policies in other countries. It is concluded that the largest low-income housing subsidy programme in the US—the Section 8 voucher programme-is inapt.
[Expression and purification of a secreted form of fusion glycoprotein of human respiratory syncytial virus encoded by recombinant baculovirus].

OBJECTIVE To study the expression and purification of a secreted form of fusion glycoprotein (sF) of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) encoded by recombinant baculovirus. METHODS According the ORF of F protein, a pair of specific primers was designed and PCR technique was exploited to amplify the gene of sF in which the gene sequence of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail domains were replaced by a C-terminal six-histidine tag. Then, a recombinant baculovirus encoding sF-His was constructed, and transfected into sf9 insect cells by Lipofectamine cellfectine reagent. Finally, the expressed sF was purified by Ni2+ -affinity chromatograph. RESULTS The gene encoding sF-His was obtained. The resulting construct of recombinant baculovirus is capable of expressing sF protein. The concentration of Ni2+ -affinity chromatograph purified sF is 1.084 mg/ml with the purity of no less than 90%. CONCLUSION Baculovirus expression system is a good method for large scale of preparation of sF. The purified F paves the way for the development of potential RSV vaccine and diagnostic kit, etc.
The Value of Habitat and Agriculture

The report summarises the results of a non-market valuation study of Habitat and Agriculture in the Upper South East (Upper SE) of South Australia. A non-market valuation technique known as choice modelling was used to elicit values in the form of willingness to pay from people in the Upper SE, Adelaide and the rest of the State. The regional and state-wide preferences for the habitat improvement provide one more piece of information relating to the difficult issues around the configuration of the cleared and uncleared landscape in the Upper South East of South Australia.
Footloose and fancy-free: sojourning entrepreneurs in China

Purpose – At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the paper is witnessing a new phenomenon of international entrepreneurship; skilled entrepreneurs from developed countries are temporarily moving to emerging economies in order to pursue business opportunities. While anecdotal evidence exists, very little theoretical development has taken place so far to explain to this phenomenon. The paper presents two short cases based on such anecdotal evidence. These cases form the basis for the development of a conceptual framework which entails a profile of entrepreneurs who have the ability to establish and operate new business ventures in an emerging economy which is characterized by a high psychic distance. Design/methodology/approach – Using Siu's work on immigrant laborers, the paper suggests that skilled, professional entrepreneurs from Israel, who seek business opportunities in China, have a profile that differs from typical immigrant entrepreneurs described in literature and is closer to the immigrant .
Long-run growth empirics and new challenges for unified theory

Annual estimates of productivity are reported for periods over 500 years for eight countries and for five other countries over shorter periods. One- and two-break time series models are used to investigate discontinuities in productivity growth. The results support two-break models of long-run productivity and they favour approaches to unified growth modelling with three epochs. However, the lessening of productivity gaps and the decisive shifts to higher productivity occurred in the twentieth century, chiefly in the years around the World War II. The timing of the breaks and the complexity of the historical record highlights a need for unified models to connect more closely with economic history.
Cutting Edge: Depletion of Foxp3+ Cells Leads to Induction of Autoimmunity by Specific Ablation of Regulatory T Cells in Genetically Targeted Mice1

We have recently described two independent mouse models in which the administration of diphtheria toxin (DT) leads to specific depletion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) due to expression of DT receptor-enhanced GFP under the control of the Foxp3 promoter. Both mouse models develop severe autoimmune disorders when Foxp3+ Tregs are depleted. Those findings were challenged in a recent study published in this journal suggesting the expression of Foxp3 in epithelial cells as the cause for disease development. By using genetic, cellular, and immunohistochemical approaches, we do not find evidence for Foxp3-expression in nonhematopoietic cells. DT injection does not lead to a loss of epithelial integrity in our Foxp3-DTR models. Instead, Foxp3 expression is Treg-specific and ablation of Foxp3+ Tregs leads to the induction of fatal autoimmune disorders. Autoimmunity can be reversed by the adoptive transfer of Tregs into depleted hosts, and the transfer of Foxp3-deficient bone marrow into T cell-deficient irradiated recipients leads to full-blown disease development.
Too busy to farm: Under‐utilisation of farm land in central Java

In two hamlets (dukuh) in south central Java, a series of situations have been identified in which some farm‐land is now being used less intensively than other, similar land. In an area of such high population density this appears a paradox. Although a variety of explanations exist for the less intensive use of farm‐land, where household livelihood strategies are highly diversified ‐ as in central Java ‐ and where a wide range of non‐farming work exists, the intensity of use of farmland may be declining for some households.
Control of bacterial infections in the hard tick Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae): evidence for the existence of antimicrobial proteins in tick hemolymph.

The ability of hard ticks to prevent infection by bacteria was investigated. During a 72-h period, virtually all Dermacentor variabilis females survived inoculation with Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Staphyloccocus aureus but few survived infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The hemocyte population increased to peak abundance at 48 h to approximately 6 times that of the uninfected controls. In contrast, the soluble hemolymph protein content decreased inversely as the hemocytes increased. D. variabilis hemolymph was found to be constitutively antimicrobial (i.e., hemolymph from bacteria-naive individuals inhibited bacterial growth). Infection with various bacterial species enhanced this innate capability. When hemolymph fractions separated by high-pressure liquid chromatography were tested for their ability to inhibit microbial growth, activity against the gram-positive bacterium, B. subtilis, was found in 2 polar fractions. Antimicrobial activity was lost when the fractions were incubated with protease. The least polar fraction contained 1 major protein, M(r) 14.5 kDa, that comigrated with human lysozyme. This protein, tentatively identified as tick lysozyme, was abundant in bacteria-naive ticks but increased greatly (43%) following challenge with B. subtilis. The identity of the other, more polar protein is unknown. Studies to characterize these antimicrobial proteins are planned.
The role of money in monetary policy design of modern central banks

This paper considers the role of money, particularly the role of monetary analysis in monetary policy-making. During the last three decades, many central banks changed their monetary policy considerably. In the late 1970s money and the long-run effects of its movements on inflation were in the center-stage of economic policy. Given the breakdown of the relationship between monetary aggregates and goal variables such as inflation, many countries in the world have recently adopted inflation targeting as their monetary policy regime. The direct control of money supply lost importance. Central bankers operate in an environment of high uncertainty regarding the functioning of the economy. In such a complex environment, a single model or a limited set of indicators is not a sufficient guide for monetary policy. Monetary aggregates continue to be an important indicator variable concludes the author.
Mutation detection in the alpha‐1 antitrypsin gene (PI) using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

A method for mutation detection in the alpha‐1 antitrypsin gene (protease inhibitor 1; PI) has been developed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of PCR amplified gene fragments. Using this experimental approach, all common phenotypes and mutations could be detected. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was compared with standard isoelectric focusing (IEF) in 20 potential α1‐antitrypsin deficient patients and their relatives. The genotype determined by DGGE was found to be more reliable in some cases than IEF, which is essential for a proper diagnosis of alpha‐1 antitrypsin malfunctioning. Hum Mutat 18:243–250, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On Measuring the Effects of Fiscal Policy in Recessions

We do not have a good measure of the effects of fiscal policy in a recession because the methods that we use to estimate the effects of fiscal policy -- both those using the observed outcomes following different policies in aggregate data and those studying counterfactuals in fitted model economies -- almost entirely ignore the state of the economy and estimate 'the' government multiplier, which is presumably a weighted average of the one we care about -- the multiplier in a recession -- and one we care less about -- the multiplier in an expansion. Notable exceptions to this general claim suggest this difference is potentially large. Our lack of knowledge stems significantly from the focus on linear dynamics: VARs and linearized (or close-to-linear) DSGEs. Our lack of knowledge also reflects a lack of data: deep recessions are few and nonlinearities hard to measure. The lack of statistical power in the estimation of nonlinear models using aggregate data can be addressed by exploiting estimates of partial-equilibrium responses in dissaggregated data. Microeconomic estimates of the partial-equilibrium causal effects of a policy can discipline the causal channels inherent in any DSGE model of the general equilibrium effects of policy. Microeconomic studies can also provide measures of the dependence of the effects of a policy on the states of different agents which is a key component of the dependence of the general-equilibrium effects of fiscal policy on the state of the economy.
A Resource-Based Analysis of E-Commerce in Developing Countries

Electronic Commerce is touted as a panacea for business growth and expansion in relation to both small and large firms irrespective of their geographical locations. Past research in the area shows that there is an acute lack of theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence to understand how developing country firms realise e-commerce benefits amidst their national constraints. This paper sets out to develop a theoretically abstracted but contextually grounded electronic commerce appropriation and use model for developing country contexts. We undertake a review of the ecommerce and strategy management literature in order to arrive at our conceptual model. We develop a resource - based view model of electronic commerce benefits that posits that developing country firms can orient resources towards the creation and sustenance of electronic commerce benefits. This conceptual framework provides good theoretical platform for empirically grounded research on electronic commerce in developing country contexts. We have opened a new stream of understanding in respect of developing country electronic commerce adoption.
Stuck in stabilisation? South Africa's post-apartheid macro-economic policy between ideological conversion and technocratic capture

This article explores post-apartheid South Africa's commitment to macro-economic orthodoxy. Its key argument is that South Africa offers an exemplary case of neoliberal deepening which has entailed three interconnected processes: ideological conversion, a stated focus on poverty and development covering a deep commitment to orthodox macro policies, entailing institutions and a set of practices, and a far-reaching state restructuring involving the emergence and consolidation of a hegemonic treasury. Drawing on an analysis of grey literature, policy documents and a series of interviews with policy-makers, the article first discusses neoliberalism in South Africa, focusing on the ‘conversion’ of key ANC leaders to neoclassical economic orthodoxy. It then turns to the central, yet under-researched, instrument of neoliberal deepening: the emergence and consolidation of a dominant national treasury with the ability to shape policy-making across all areas of state intervention. The article closes on a call to envisage concurrently ideological conversion and state formation to understand the dynamics of neoliberalism, and its paradoxical resilience in the South Africa case.
From Government to Governance: Regional Partnerships in Sweden

Private-public partnership is a key concept for understanding the transformation of regional governance in Sweden. The introduction of Regional Growth Agreements (RGAs) as a new element of industrial policy is the latest illustration of this development. This article analyses the emergence of regional partnerships in the processing of RGAs in Swedish regions. Questions dealt with concern consequences for the public-private balance, democratic accountability, and the pressure for regional reforms. The results reveal that regional partnerships seem ready to take greater responsibility in the field of industrial policy, but also raise questions about who should be included and who is accountable. It is also questionable whether coherent regions will emerge before substantial reforms of regional government are implemented to match more spontaneous processes of regionalization.
Efficient Resource Management Technique for Performance Improvement in Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is growing technology which provide services to user’s on affordable budget. Resource demand comes with different nature and create uncertainty situation for efficient resource matching and workload management on resources. Thus service providers’ focus on suitable resource allocation technique for efficient resource matching based on resource availability and requirements. Such matching problems should be addressed using optimization approach. In this research paper we have presented an optimization approach using ant colony optimization (ACO) mechanism for efficient resource matching to minimize execution time. Our presented algorithm has been executed on cloud based simulation environment. The comparative analysis of results show that proposed algorithm performed better against existing algorithms and suitable for resource allocation in cloud to achieve quality of service (QoS) requirements and improve customer reliability.
Assessing Recreationists' Economic Benefits and Their Transferability to Other Sites

Valuation efforts are important for policymakers to assess the effectiveness of recreation management programs and determine the optimal levels of public investment in provision of recreation opportunities. To avoid the problematic assumption that benefit estimates are equal across sites, benefit transfer is an effective tool to test the transferability of benefits to other sites. The objectives of this article are to examine benefit transfer as a pragmatic alternative to estimate values and provide empirical evidence of the validity of benefit transfer using beach access. This article explores its applicability in the leisure and recreation field and discusses implications of benefit transfer.
Circulating antibodies against p53 protein in patients with ovarian carcinoma

Genetic alterations of the p53 tumor suppressor protein are the most frequent molecular events in human carcinogenesis. For as yet unknown reasons, mutant p53 often acts as an immunogen for autoantibody generation. These autoantibodies can be detected in the serum of cancer patients. The presence of such antibodies has been identified in a subset of patients with ovarian carcinoma, but their clinical significance has not been investigated.
Hepatic CD1d Expression in Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Recognition by Resident Proinflammatory CD1d-Reactive T Cells1

A subset of CD161+CD56+/− NKT cells can recognize glycolipids presented by CD1d and positively or negatively regulate inflammatory responses, including those implicated in several models of hepatitis. CD1d is expressed at very low levels in the healthy liver, but there is a large fraction of CD161+CD56+ NKT cells. There are high levels of nonclassical proinflammatory hepatic CD1d-reactive T cells in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Hepatic inflammatory cells and biliary cells adjacent to portal tract fibrotic areas of HCV-infected donors specifically up-regulated CD1d. A hepatocyte cell line expressing minimal CD1d was efficiently recognized by hepatic CD1d-reactive T cells, suggesting a role for these cells in disease. Hepatic CD1d-reactive T cells from HCV-positive as well as negative donors produced large amounts of IFN-γ with some IL-13, but only rarely detectable IL-4. We confirmed large numbers of hepatic CD161+ T cells, lower levels of CD56+ T cells, and small numbers of classic invariant NKT cells. However, hepatic CD1d-reactivity was not restricted to any of these populations. We suggest virally infected hepatic cells can process potent CD1d-presented liver Ag(s), for surveillance by resident Th1 hepatic CD1d-reactive T cells. This process may be beneficial in acute viral clearance, but in chronic infection could contribute to liver injury.
[Evaluation of four new discriminant functions for HRT II in glaucoma diagnosis].

PURPOSE To assess the diagnostic usefulness of four linear discriminant functions for Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT) II obtained in our population. METHODS 450 eyes of 450 patients were studied. Eyes were classified as those of healthy subjects (101), those with ocular hypertension (126), those suspected to have glaucoma (121) or those with glaucoma (103). Intraocular pressure, optic nerve head appearance in stereophotographs, and standard automated perimetry results were assessed. ANOVAs among the groups were calculated for all global parameters and the 4 formulas. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for the 4 multivariate functions designed in our hospital and the areas under the ROC curves were compared. Sensitivity at 80% and 90% fixed specificities were also calculated. RESULTS All functions discriminated well between healthy and glaucoma suspects, and between healthy and glaucomatous eyes. At 90% fixed specificity, sensitivities ranged from 54% to 60% in differentiating between healthy and glaucoma suspects, and from 65% to 68% in discriminating between control and glaucoma subjects. No differences were found between the areas under the ROC curves of these functions. CONCLUSIONS The evaluated linear discriminant functions increased the diagnostic ability of HRT II isolated parameters in detecting glaucoma. These functions performed better than the HRT-provided discriminant functions.
PROBLEMS FACED BY HIGH SCHOOL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION TEACHERS

If the agricultural education profession is going to grow and prosper in the 21 st century, it will need an adequate supply of qualified teachers. In 2001, however, the number of qualified potential agricultural education teachers actually seeking employment as teachers fell far short of the net number of replacements needed. Two contributing factors include qualified potential teachers fail to accept employment in the profession and many beginning teachers fail to remain in the teaching profession. One way to improve the number of qualified agricultural education teachers is to reduce the number of teachers who leave the profession early through attrition. The purpose of this study was to identify problems faced by beginning and current teachers of agricultural education. The research revealed 20 problem areas experienced by beginning and current teachers. The categories included administrative support, discipline, class preparations, time management, paperwork, facilities/equipment, community support, self-confidence, developing a course of instruction, budgets/funding, the reputation of the previous teacher, faculty relationships, undergraduate preparation, student motivation, guidance counselors, enrollment numbers, balancing school and home, university relations, special needs students, multi-teacher issues, image of agricultural education, financial rewards, and changes in FFA and agriculture.