Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial price transmission under different policy regimes: A case of maize markets in Kenya

The aftermath of the high energy and unstable market crises globally was the unprecedented volatile and high food prices experienced throughout the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region. Most governments implemented a wide range of policy instruments to mitigate and insulate domestic markets against this price hikes. Despite insulation of the domestic market, high food prices have continued unabated. Raising the question are these policies effective. The success of the policy is dependent on the government ability to implement the specific policy. Implementation of most policies in the ESA region may be described as erratic, highly discretionary, inconsistent, unexpected and sudden hence leading to policy failure and market distortion. Domestic factors and to some extent, regional factors play an important role in determination of price as opposed to international market as most country within the region are either self-sufficient or almost self-sufficient in staple foods. The aim of this study was to examine the different policy regimes implemented to mitigate against high food crises and their effects on spatial price transmission on domestic markets. The results demonstrates evidence of long-run relationship and cointegration between surplus and deficit market under regime with little or no policy intervention. Under this regime, there was higher price transmission, faster correction in price shocks as illustrated by higher speed of adjustment and lower half-life between surplus and deficit markets. Low price transmission, price shocks taking longer to correct as illustrated by low speed of adjustment and higher half-life were observed under different policy regimes. JEL Classification: C22,D43,L13,R32,Q18?
Identification of changed paradigms in CRE research – a systematic literature review 2005-2015

PurposeAs corporations change their way of working, the importance of corporate real estate (CRE) management has increased. Hence, there is a need to structure the existing knowledge and to identify the latest developments in CRE research. This paper aims to identify the major developments and changed paradigms in CRE research in 2005-2015.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review is conducted, including papers from seven journals. In three sequential scans, papers were identified for the final analysis, keeping 99 of 1,667 papers.FindingsBased on nine identified developments, two paradigm shifts were found. The shift from cost minimisation to value delivery was identified. Besides solving current problems, value delivery aims to capture the future value and prevent future problems. The second paradigm shift is from buildings to people. Before the shift, buildings refer to value delivery as a transaction, while the shift to people highlights the aim to provide value-in-use.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper focusses on corporate offices, excluding retail, health care, education, publicly owned facilities, etc. This research is limited to CRE research. Therefore, the results are applicable to CRE research but do not cover the developments in practice.Practical implicationsFor practitioners, this paper offers a possibility to develop their RE strategies by reflecting their current practices with the identified developments and paradigms in the CRE literature. This paper suggests to conduct a similar research in practice to compare the underlying paradigms.Originality/valueThis paper is based on a systematic literature study, and summarises developments in CRE research over the past 10 years.
Visualization of the Dopamine Transporter in the Human Brain Postmortem with the New Selective Ligand [125I]PE2I

Using a new, 125I-labeled, selective high affinity dopamine transporter ligand, N-(3-iodoprop-2E-enyl)-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4'-methy lph enyl)nort ropane (PE2I), the distribution of the dopamine transporter was characterized in the normal postmortem human brain using whole hemisphere autoradiography. PE2I was radioiodinated to high specific radioactivity (2200 Ci/mmol, 81 GBq/micromol). PE2I binds to the dopamine transporter with high potency and, in contrast to beta-CIT, it has very low affinities for the serotonin and noradrenaline transporters. The autoradiograms showed very intense binding in basal ganglia (putamen, nucleus caudatus, nucleus accumbens) and lower binding in substantia nigra. Very low or no binding was found in other brain structures, including the neocortex or cerebellum. The labeling of human dopamine transporters with [125I]PE2I was inhibited by the dopamine transporter inhibitors GBR 12909 and beta-CIT, but not by citalopram (serotonin transporter inhibitor) or maprotiline (noradrenaline transporter inhibitor). Possibly due to the relatively high lipophilicity of the compound (theoretical log p = 4.68), it accumulated slightly in white matter. Thus, in vitro autoradiography using [125I]PE2I provided detailed qualitative and quantitative evidence that the dopamine transporter is almost exclusively localized in the basal ganglia of the human brain. Moreover, the autoradiograms indicate that [11C]PE2I and [123I]PE2I should be suitable for the in vivo visualization of the human dopamine transporter with PET or SPECT, respectively.
Developing Countries’ Vulnerability to Debt Crisis; a Multi-County Empirical Analysis of Shocks

This paper proposes the use of a more realistic alternative for estimating debt sustainability so that the continuum nature of the debt ratio is accommodated. Using the data for Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) and Sub Saharan African (SSA) countries, the study measures the degree of these countries’ debt sustainability as a Debt Sustainability Indicator. The paper also considers macroeconomic factors that are generally attributed to the 1980s debt crisis and investigates the extent to which these factors can explain the persistent of shocks in our cross-country analysis of Third World Debt. <br><br>The results indicate that the debt of these countries is indeed unsustainable. Furthermore, the findings support the conception that interest rate, oil price and non-oil exporting commodity prices shocks have contributed to the 1980s debt crises. However, contrary to the common belief, the contribution of these shocks is relatively small compared to other unidentified factors, indicating that one must consider factors beyond these shocks in order to understand the causes of the crisis. The later findings also imply that debt of LAC and SSA is unsustainable even when we accommodate for the macroeconomic factors, such as oil price that have permanent effect on debt-to-GDP ratio. <br>
Inelastic behaviour of collagen networks in cell–matrix interactions and mechanosensation

The mechanical properties of extracellular matrix proteins strongly influence cell-induced tension in the matrix, which in turn influences cell function. Despite progress on the impact of elastic behaviour of matrix proteins on cell–matrix interactions, little is known about the influence of inelastic behaviour, especially at the large and slow deformations that characterize cell-induced matrix remodelling. We found that collagen matrices exhibit deformation rate-dependent behaviour, which leads to a transition from pronounced elastic behaviour at fast deformations to substantially inelastic behaviour at slow deformations (1 μm min−1, similar to cell-mediated deformation). With slow deformations, the inelastic behaviour of floating gels was sensitive to collagen concentration, whereas attached gels exhibited similar inelastic behaviour independent of collagen concentration. The presence of an underlying rigid support had a similar effect on cell–matrix interactions: cell-induced deformation and remodelling were similar on 1 or 3 mg ml−1 attached collagen gels while deformations were two- to fourfold smaller in floating gels of high compared with low collagen concentration. In cross-linked collagen matrices, which did not exhibit inelastic behaviour, cells did not respond to the presence of the underlying rigid foundation. These data indicate that at the slow rates of collagen compaction generated by fibroblasts, the inelastic responses of collagen gels, which are influenced by collagen concentration and the presence of an underlying rigid foundation, are important determinants of cell–matrix interactions and mechanosensation.
RhoC regulates the actin remodeling required for phagosome formation during FcγR-mediated phagocytosis

ABSTRACT Phagosome formation is a complicated process that requires spatiotemporally regulated actin reorganization. We found that RhoC GTPase is a critical regulator of FcγR-mediated phagocytosis in macrophages. Our live-cell imaging revealed that RhoC, but not RhoA, is recruited to phagocytic cups engulfing IgG-opsonized erythrocytes (IgG-Es). RhoC silencing through RNAi, CRISPR/Cas-mediated RhoC knockout, and the expression of dominant-negative or constitutively active RhoC mutants suppressed the phagocytosis of IgG-Es. Moreover, RhoC-GTP pulldown experiments showed that endogenous RhoC is transiently activated during phagosome formation. Notably, actin-driven pseudopod extension, which is required for the formation of phagocytic cups, was severely impaired in cells expressing the constitutively active mutant RhoC-G14V, which induced abnormal F-actin accumulation underneath the plasma membrane. mDia1 (encoded by DIAPH1), a Rho-dependent actin nucleation factor, and RhoC were colocalized at the phagocytic cups. Similar to what was seen for RhoC, mDia1 silencing through RNAi inhibited phagosome formation. Additionally, the coexpression of mDia1 with constitutively active mutant RhoC-G14V or expression of active mutant mDia1-ΔN3 drastically inhibited the uptake of IgG-Es. These data suggest that RhoC modulates phagosome formation be modifying actin cytoskeletal remodeling via mDia1. Summary: RhoC accumulates at phagocytic cups and modulates an mDia1-dependent remodeling of cortical F-actin that is required for FcγR-mediated phagocytosis in macrophages.
RhoA/Rho-Associated Kinase Pathway Selectively Regulates Thrombin-Induced Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Expression in Endothelial Cells via Activation of IκB Kinase β and Phosphorylation of RelA/p651

We investigated the involvement of the RhoA/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) pathway in regulating ICAM-1 expression in endothelial cells by the procoagulant, thrombin. Exposure of HUVECs to C3 exoenzyme, a selective inhibitor of Rho, markedly reduced thrombin-induced ICAM-1 expression. Inhibition of ROCK, the downstream effector of Rho, also prevented thrombin-induced ICAM-1 expression. Blockade of thrombin-induced ICAM-1 expression was secondary to inhibition of NF-κB activity, the key regulator of ICAM-1 expression in endothelial cells. In parallel studies we observed that inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK pathway by the same pharmacological and genetic approaches failed to inhibit TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation and ICAM-1 expression. The effect of RhoA/ROCK inhibition on thrombin-induced NF-κB activation was secondary to inhibition of IκB kinase activation and subsequent IκBα degradation and nuclear uptake and the DNA binding of NF-κB. Inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK pathway also prevented phosphorylation of Ser536 within the transactivation domain 1 of NF-κB p65/RelA, a critical event conferring transcriptional competency to the bound NF-κB. Thus, the RhoA/ROCK pathway signals thrombin-induced ICAM-1 expression through the activation of IκB kinase, which promotes NF-κB binding to ICAM-1 promoter and phosphorylation of RelA/p65, thus mediating the transcriptional activation of bound NF-κB.
Evidence for a navigational map stretching across the continental U.S. in a migratory songbird

Billions of songbirds migrate several thousand kilometers from breeding to wintering grounds and are challenged with crossing ecological barriers and facing displacement by winds along the route. A satisfactory explanation of long-distance animal navigation is still lacking, partly because of limitations on field-based study. The navigational tasks faced by adults and juveniles differ fundamentally, because only adults migrate toward wintering grounds known from the previous year. Here, we show by radio tracking from small aircraft that only adult, and not juvenile, long-distance migrating white-crowned sparrows rapidly recognize and correct for a continent-wide displacement of 3,700 km from the west coast of North America to previously unvisited areas on the east coast. These results show that the learned navigational map used by adult long-distance migratory songbirds extends at least on a continental scale. The juveniles with less experience rely on their innate program to find their distant wintering areas and continue to migrate in the innate direction without correcting for displacement.
Safety, feasibility, and hemodynamic and blood flow effects of active compression–decompression of thorax and abdomen in patients with cardiac arrest*

Objective:During closed chest compression for cardiac arrest, any increase in coronary perfusion pressure accounts for a proportional increase in myocardial blood flow and therefore the resuscitability of the patient. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and hemodynamic effects of phased chest and abdominal compression–decompression and to compare it with mechanical chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Design:In this prospective, single-center, phase II study, we compared patients treated with the Datascope Lifestick Resuscitator with patients who had been treated with mechanical precordial compression. Setting:Emergency department of a tertiary care university hospital. Patients:We included 31 patients with cardiac arrest who had received cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the emergency department. Interventions:The Lifestick device was used in 20 patients. In 11 patients, mechanical chest compression with the Thumper device was used as a control intervention. Measurements and Main Results:We evaluated the safety, feasibility, and hemodynamic effects of both interventions and observed, with the help of echocardiography, the mechanisms through which blood flow was generated. We found no significant difference between the use of the Lifestick device and standard chest compression with the Thumper device in resuscitations. Most operators regarded the Lifestick as a feasible alternative to the Thumper. We could observe a mean increase in coronary perfusion pressure of 9.33 mm Hg (interquartile range, 1.96–14.36; p = .08) and an increase of end-tidal CO2 of 10 mm Hg (interquartile range, 5–16; p = .003) (1333Pa [interquartile range, 665–2133]) during resuscitation with the Lifestick compared with using the Thumper. Conclusion:In this preliminary study, resuscitation with the Lifestick was found to be safe and feasible. The design of the study and small number of patients included in it limit the conclusions about the hemodynamic effects of the Lifestick.
Hostility in coronary artery disease patients and health care workers in Slovakia.

PURPOSE Increased levels of hostility are associated with the increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), and with poorer outcomes in CAD patients. The purpose of this paper is to estimate the level of hostility in CAD patients and in health care (HC) workers, as potential groups for intervention programmes. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH A qualitative cross-sectional study was undertaken. Hostility questionnaires were distributed in a non-randomized fashion in a group of 236 CAD patients (187 men, 49 women), aged from 33 to 69 years (average 52 years) and 181 health care workers (52 men, 129 women), aged from 19 to 65 (average 31 years). The results of the survey were discussed in a focused group. FINDINGS The results showed that the high level of hostility in both CAD patients and HC workers exceeded the risk value of 10 in 89 per cent of CAD patients and 95 per cent of HC workers. No difference was found in the hostility scores between CAD patients and HC workers. There was a tendency to higher scores of hostility or of its subcategories (cynicism, anger, aggression) in physicians and nurses of the invasive cardiology or the intensive care units. ORIGINALITY/VALUE This paper is of value by showing how increased level of hostility was the issue in both patients and HC workers, with potential consequences of health risk for individuals, as well as deteriorated interpersonal relations and a conflict-generated corporate culture for organizations. Differently tailored programmes for hostility management for particular target groups may help to prevent negative developments.
Identification of Francisella species and discrimination of type A and type B strains of F. tularensis by 16S rRNA analysis

Tularemia is a zoonotic disease, occurring throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The causative agent, the bacterium Francisella tularensis, is represented by two main types. Type A is found in North America, whereas type B is mainly found in Asia and Europe and to a minor extent in North America. No routine technique for rapid diagnosis of tularemia has been generally applied. We have partially sequenced 16S rRNAs of two F. tularensis strains, as well as the closely related Francisella novicida. Of 550 nucleotides analyzed, only one difference in 16S rRNA primary sequence was found. This 16S rRNA analysis enabled the construction of oligonucleotides to be used as genus- and type-specific probes. Such probes were utilized for the establishment of a method for rapid and selective detection of the organism. This method allowed identification of Francisella spp. at the level of genus and also discrimination of type A and type B strains of F. tularensis. The analysis also permitted the detection of F. tularensis in spleen tissue from mice infected with the bacterium. The results presented will enable studies on the epizootiology and epidemiology of Francisella spp.
Comparison of electroencephalogram activity and auditory evoked responses during isoflurane and halothane anaesthesia in the rat.

OBJECTIVES To compare the second differential index (SDI) calculated from the auditory evoked potential (AEP) and electroencephalogram (EEG) parameters: median frequency (MF), spectral edge frequency (SEF) and burst suppression rate (BSR) determined at four equivalent minimum alveolar concentrations (MAC) of isoflurane or halothane. ANIMALS Twelve male Wistar rats weighing 418 g (SD +/- 18.4 g). METHODS Auditory evoked potentials and EEG responses were recorded in animals implanted with electrodes at established anaesthetic concentrations. Depth of anaesthesia was assessed using the strength of the pedal withdrawal reflex (PWR), and data were analysed using repeated measures anova and paired t-tests. RESULTS The SEF tended to decrease with increasing depth of halothane anaesthesia (F = 4.198, p = 0.05), but not with isoflurane. The MF and SDI were significantly higher during halothane than with isoflurane (F = 5.82, p = 0.036 and F = 5.263, p = 0.045, respectively) at equivalent depths of anaesthesia, and EEG burst suppression occurred at deeper planes of isoflurane but not halothane anaesthesia. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrated that EEG and AEP characteristics recorded at MAC equivalent concentrations were suppressed to a greater degree by isoflurane than by halothane. These findings have strong implications for research projects where EEG recordings are collected, and also cast more general doubts upon the value of such parameters for evaluating depth of isoflurane anaesthesia in rats.
In‐vitro susceptibility of hydatid cysts of Echinococcus granulosus to nitric oxide and the effect of the laminated layer on nitric oxide production

Murine hydatid cysts of Echinococcus granulosus were incubated in vitro in the presence of nitric oxide produced from S‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) or interferon‐γ activated peritoneal macrophages. In both situations, evidence of cyst damage and death was observed by microscopy in over 77% of cysts after 3 days, indicating that intact hydatid cysts could be susceptible to a Th1 driven macrophage attack. A crude extract of the laminated layer from cysts was found to be able to reduce the production of nitric oxide from activated macrophages in vitro and in vivo and this may have been due to phagocytosis of laminated layer fragments by the macrophages. The results indicate that, although cysts may be susceptible to the effects of nitric oxide, the laminated layer may be involved in downregulating nitric oxide production.
Mutation screening of the Homer gene family and association analysis in schizophrenia

Homer proteins are a group of proteins that regulate group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor function. As altered glutamate function has been implicated in many neuro psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia, we have screened all three known Homer genes for sequence variation for use under the candidate gene association paradigm. We found seven SNPs, including three in exons. Of these, none was non‐synonymous. Allele frequencies of all the detected SNPs were estimated in DNA pools of 368 schizophrenics and 368 controls. Only one (Homer 1 IVS4 + 18A > G) was associated with schizophrenia in this sample, a finding confirmed by individual genotyping (P = 0.01). However, in our extended sample of 680 cases and 671 controls, the evidence for association diminished (P = 0.05). Our results suggest it is unlikely that sequence variants in the Homer genes contribute to the aetiology of schizophrenia, but the variants we identified are plausible candidates for other neuropsychiatric phenotypes. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
RNA interference targeting SHP‐1 attenuates myocardial infarction in rats

The Src homology domain 2 (SH2)‐containing tyrosine phosphatase‐1 (SHP‐1) plays a key role in apoptosis and decreases phosphorylation of Akt. Apoptosis of cardiomyocytes is thought to contribute to the increased area of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and Akt activation exerts a powerful cardioprotective effect after ischemia. Thus, a therapeutic strategy designed to inhibit expression of SHP‐1 would be beneficial in AMI. Here we report that siRNA targeting SHP‐1 reduced infarct size in a rat model of AMI. Upon injection into the ischemic left ventricular wall, the vector‐based siRNA significantly suppressed the increase in the SHP‐1 mRNA and the SHP‐1 protein levels. The siRNA vector also significantly reduced the SHP‐1 that bound to Fas‐R. The SHP‐1 siRNA vector increased phospho‐Akt and reduced DNA fragmentation and caspase activity compared with the scramble siRNA vector. Finally, the area of myocardial infarction was significantly smaller with the SHP‐1 siRNA vector than with the scramble siRNA vector at 2 days after LCA ligation. In conclusion, SHP‐1 in the heart increased from the early stage of AMI, and this increase was thought to contribute to the increased area of myocardial infarction. Suppression of SHP‐1 with the SHP‐1 siRNA vector markedly reduced the infarct size in AMI.