Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What Makes a Farmer? The Limited Expansion of Commercial Farming Among Bulgarian Smallholders

Post-socialist restoration of property rights brought expectations that small commercial farming would expand, raising smallholder incomes. However, commercial farming remains limited among smallholders in many places. This paper uses interviews with Bulgarian smallholders to analyze the decision-making process related to land use. Land holders differ in their goals for farming and these differences are associated with land use. Some landholders adjust their goals toward more income-generating uses as they experience better-than-expected returns, while others are content with more modest returns. But few seem willing to give up farming altogether. If goals differ, many farmers adjust slowly from a starting point strongly influenced by local history, and few exit farming altogether, more complete development of property rights, markets and contracting systems alone will not result in wider adoption of commercial farming. While commercially-, and even growth-oriented smallholders may emerge, significant smallholder land will remain in less productive uses for some time.
Integrated diversification of locomotion and feeding in labrid fishes

An organism's performance of any ecological task involves coordination of multiple functional systems. Feeding performance is influenced by locomotor abilities which are used during search and capture of prey, as well as cranial mechanics, which affect prey capture and processing. But, does this integration of functional systems manifest itself during evolution? We asked whether the locomotor and feeding systems evolved in association in one of the most prominent and diverse reef fish radiations, the Labridae. We examined features of the pectoral fins that affect swimming performance and aspects of the skull that describe force and motion of the jaws. We applied a recent phylogeny, calculated independent contrasts for 60 nodes and performed principal components analyses separately on contrasts for fin and skull traits. The major axes of fin and skull diversification are highly correlated; modifications of the skull to amplify the speed of jaw movements are correlated with changes in the pectoral fins that increase swimming speed, and increases in force capacity of the skull are associated with changes towards fins that produce high thrust at slow speeds. These results indicate that the labrid radiation involved a strong connection between locomotion and feeding abilities.
The functional characterization of normal and neoplastic human enterochromaffin cells.

CONTEXT Neuroendocrine regulation of small intestinal (SI) function is poorly understood because pure neuroendocrine cells are unavailable, whereas the biological basis of SI carcinoid tumors is unknown because neoplastic human enterochromaffin (EC) cells are unavailable. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to define the secretory regulation and transcriptome of naive and neoplastic SI neuroendocrine cells. DESIGN EC cells from human ilea were isolated and purified, and a malignant EC cell carcinoid cell line (KRJ-I) was characterized. METHODS Human ilea from right hemicolectomies were pronase/collagenase digested and Nycodenz gradient centrifuged, and EC cells were fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) sorted after acridine orange labeling. Enrichment was defined by immunostaining, gene expression, serotonin (5-HT) content, and real-time RT-PCR. Naive FACS-sorted EC and KRJ-I cells were cultured, and 5-HT secretion was measured after stimulation with forskolin, isoproterenol, acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA(A)), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-38, and gastrin. Normal and neoplastic EC cell transcriptomes were acquired by Affymetrix profiling (U133A). RESULTS FACS produced 100 +/- 0.3% (chromogranin A staining) and 99 +/- 0.7% pure EC cells by immunostaining for tryptophan hydroxylase with greater than 67-fold enrichment and a 5-HT content of 180 +/- 18 ng/mg protein (mucosa, 3.5 +/- 0.9). Forskolin- and isoproterenol-stimulated 5-HT secretion was 10-100 times more potent for naive cells (EC(50), 1.8 x 10(-9) m; 5.1 x 10(-9) m) than neoplastic cells (EC(50), 2.1 x 10(-7) m; 8.1 x 10(-8) m), but the effect of PACAP-38 was similar (EC(50), 1 x 10(-7) m). Isoproterenol stimulated cAMP levels 1.6 +/- 0.1-fold vs. basal (EC(50), 2.7 x 10(-9) m). Acetylcholine inhibited naive EC cell 5-HT secretion more potently than neoplastic (IC(50), 3.2 x 10(-9) vs. 1.6 x 10(-7) m), whereas GABA(A) was more potent in neoplastic cells (IC(50), 3.9 x 10(-10) vs. 4.4 x 10(-9) m). Octreotide inhibited naive, but not neoplastic, basal 5-HT secretion. Gastrin had no effect on 5-HT secretion. Comparison of naive and neoplastic transcriptomes revealed shared neuroendocrine and EC cell-specific marker genes. Real-time PCR confirmed that expression of adrenergic (beta1), somatostatinergic (SST(R)2), and neural (VPAC(1) and GABA(A)) receptors occurred on both cell types, but PACAP type 1 (PAC(1)) and cholecystokinin type 2 (CCK(2)) were undetectable. The putative carcinoid malignancy genes (MTA1 and MAGE-D2) were unique to the neoplastic EC cell transcriptome. CONCLUSION These data support novel methodology to purify live human EC cells for functional characterization and transcriptome assessment, which will allow identification of new targets to control the secretion and proliferation of SI carcinoids.
A Psychographic Profile of Users of Internet-Related Technologies in Serbia and the Ukraine

Internet penetration rates vary considerably worldwide and international marketers need to devise effective online communications for multiple segments. While Internet markets with high penetration rates have been the focus of prior research, this study's main objective was to devise a way of discriminating between Internet users using individual psychographic (vis-à-vis demographic) variables in low penetration types of Internet usage. If firms seek to attain market leadership in the many market segments spawned by Internet-related technologies, psychographics offer the potential for distinguishing between various types of users.
The tensorflow partitioning and scheduling problem: it's the critical path!

State-of-the-art data flow systems such as TensorFlow impose iterative calculations on large graphs that need to be partitioned on heterogeneous devices such as CPUs, GPUs, and TPUs. However, partitioning can not be viewed in isolation. Each device has to select the next graph vertex to be executed, i.e., perform local scheduling decisions. Both problems, partitioning and scheduling, are NP-complete by themselves but have to be solved in combination in order to minimize overall execution time of an iteration. In this paper, we propose several heuristic strategies to solve the partitioning and scheduling problem in TensorFlow. We simulate the performance of the proposed strategies in heterogeneous environments with communication-intensive workloads that are common to TensorFlow. Our findings indicate that the best partitioning and scheduling heuristics are those that focus on minimizing the execution time of the critical path in the graph. Those strategies provide a speed-up of up to 4 times in comparison to strategies that are agnostic to the critical path, such as hash-based partitioning and FIFO scheduling.
Dissociation between in vitro and in vivo epileptogenicity in a rat model of cortical dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE Malformations of cortical development are frequent causes of human refractory epilepsy. The freeze-lesion model in rats shows histopathological features similar to those found in human polymicrogyria. Previous studies reported in vitro hyperexcitability in this model, but in vivo epileptogenicity has not been confirmed. METHODS Neocortical freeze lesions were induced in Sprague-Dawley rat pups (n = 10) on postnatal day 0 or 1 (P0/P1). Sham-operated animals served as controls (n = 10). On P60, animals were implanted with epidural electrodes for long-term video-EEG monitoring (4 weeks). The threshold for pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures was determined. Animals were sacrificed and brain sections processed for histological staining and in vitro electrophysiological recordings. Epileptiform field potential repetition rate, amplitude and integral were compared between slices containing a cortical freeze lesion, and slices from sham-operated rats. RESULTS No interictal spikes and no electrographic or clinical seizures occurred in either group. The median threshold for pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures was 60 mg/kg for lesioned, and 45 mg/kg for control animals (difference not significant). No spontaneous epileptiform field potentials were recorded from either freeze-lesion or control slices bathed in normal, artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF). Upon omission of Mg(2+) from the bath, epileptiform field potentials were elicited that showed a significantly higher burst integral in the freeze lesion slices compared to control slices. CONCLUSION Neocortical freeze lesions induced in newborn rat pups show histological characteristics reminiscent of human cortical dysplasia. Brain slices containing neocortical freeze lesions display hyperexcitability in vitro, but the same lesion does not appear to show spontaneous epileptogenicity in vivo.
A general approach for segmenting elongated and stubby biological objects: Extending a chord length transform with the Radon transform

Automatic, high-throughput, quantification of the precise position and orientation of biological objects is essential for studying living, biomedically relevant processes from time-lapse microscopy images. These measurements frequently include precise estimates for the center-of-mass as well as the location of the true object boundaries e.g. the membranes of cells. This paper describes a region-oriented segmentation approach applied to the detection of both insects at the mm length scale as well as bacteria at the μm length scale. Despite the differences in length scale, images of both objects have similar aspect ratio, and it is common to have overlapping objects in images of both. This thus presents a challenge for any segmentation algorithm. Our approach performs all orientation detection through a chord length transform, so the task of separating overlapping objects in a two-dimensional image is reformulated as a voxel-labeling problem within a three-dimensional volume. It then utilizes the directional information from the Radon transformed image. Experimental results in simulation show that our method is effective in separating clustered elongated but stubby objects with aspect ratios not far from 1. The applications in detecting insects and Escherichia coli bacteria demonstrate the value of our approach.
Does Background Matter? The Transmission of Human Capital from a Planned to a Market Economy 1

The early U.S. economic achievement of former Soviet citizens entering the United States during the period 1979 through 1985 is analyzed. Using the Soviet Interview Project (SIP) data, components of human capital acquired in the former Soviet Union (FSU) are identified and related to labor force participation and income outcomes in the United States. FSU education, experience and industry variables have important, variable and differing impacts upon both participation and income, and such outcomes differ for males and females. FSU immigrants’ income is below U.S. income. Differing rates of return to characteristics, not the endowments themselves, are responsible for observed differentials.
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Gene Polymorphism in Egyptian Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

Background: The rate of progression of renal damage varies significantly, however individual genetic variations contribute to the variability in rates of progression. Polymorphisms of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) gene have been associated with a variety of cardiovascular and renal effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of AT1R gene A1166C polymorphism as one of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) gene family, with chronic renal failure (CRF) in Egyptian patients on hemodialysis. Methods: Genotyping for AT1R gene A1166C polymorphism was performed in 35 patients undergoing hemodialysis and 20 healthy volunteers acting as control using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RELP) method. Results: AC genotype frequency of AT1R gene A1166C was higher in CRF patients group than the control group 18/35 (51.4%) versus 5/20 (25%) while control group had higher AA genotype frequency versus CRF group 15/20 (75%) versus 17/35 (48%) . Yet this difference did not reach a statistical significance (P = 0.056). AC genotype was significantly higher in hypertensive than normotensive (73.91%) versus (26.1%) while AA was significantly higher in normotensive than hypertensive (75%) versus (25%) (p =0.00). Conclusion: Our finding, enlightens the significant association of AT1R A1166C polymorphism and hypertensive group of CRF . This can shed Light on the pathophysiology by which RAS has dual mechanism on kidney affection in case of hypertension leading to ESRD.
A Topology-Based Score for Pathway Enrichment

Investigators require intuitive tools to rationalize complex datasets generated by transcriptional profiling experiments. Pathway analysis methods, in which differentially expressed genes are mapped to databases of reference pathways to facilitate assessment of relative enrichment, lead investigators more effectively to biologically testable hypotheses. However, once a set of differentially expressed genes is isolated, pathway analysis approaches tend to ignore rich gene expression information and, moreover, do not exploit relationships between transcripts. In this article, we report the development of a new method in which both pathway topology and the magnitude of gene expression changes inform the scoring system, thereby providing a powerful filter in the enrichment of biologically relevant information. When four sample datasets were evaluated with this method, literature mining confirmed that those pathways germane to the physiological process under investigation were highlighted by our method relative to z-score overrepresentation calculations. Moreover, non-relevant processes were downgraded using the method described herein. The inclusion of expression and topological data in the calculation of a pathway regulation score (PRS) facilitated discrimination of key processes in real biological datasets. Specifically, by combining fold-change data for those transcripts exceeding a significance threshold, and by taking into account the potential for altered gene expression to impact upon downstream transcription, one may readily identify those pathways most relevant to pathophysiological processes.
A system dynamic analysis of officer manpower in the merchant marine

This paper provides a dynamic analysis of the officer supply-chain in the merchant marine. This approach to manpower focuses on the flow of people, that is seafarers, and the flow of information through the manpower supply-chain. Of specific interest are the different factors affecting this flow. Among these are the career structures in the merchant marine, recruitment and wastage patterns, existence of training delays, and the possible presence of feedback relationships between seagoing and shorebased maritime jobs. Considering that one of the most pressing problems the shipping industry faces is a shortage of quality-educated officers, the analysis presented focuses on this segment of maritime manpower. The paper presents a system dynamics methodology, utilized to research aspects of the officer supply-chain. The officer training supply-chain and the existing career path in the merchant marine are outlined. The main characteristics of the United Kingdom officer supply-chain are described, and some aspects of its dynamic behavior are highlighted.
An Ancient Link between Europe / Western Asia and North America ?

On the basis of comprehensive RFLP analysis, it has been inferred that ∼97% of Native American mtDNAs belong to one of four major founding mtDNA lineages, designated haplogroups “A”–“D. ” It has been proposed that a fifth mtDNA haplogroup (haplogroup X) represents a minor founding lineage in Native Americans. Unlike haplogroups A–D, haplogroup X is also found at low frequencies in modern European populations. To investigate the origins, diversity, and continental relationships of this haplogroup, we performed mtDNA high-resolution RFLP and complete control region (CR) sequence analysis on 22 putative Native American haplogroup X and 14 putative European haplogroup X mtDNAs. The results identified a consensus haplogroup X motif that characterizes our European and Native American samples. Among Native Americans, haplogroup X appears to be essentially restricted to northern Amerindian groups, including the Ojibwa, the Nuu-Chah-Nulth, the Sioux, and the Yakima, although we also observed this haplogroup in the Na-Dene–speaking Navajo. Median network analysis indicated that European and Native American haplogroup X mtDNAs, although distinct, nevertheless are distantly related to each other. Time estimates for the arrival of X in North America are 12,000–36,000 years ago, depending on the number of assumed founders, thus supporting the conclusion that the peoples harboring haplogroup X were among the original founders of Native American populations. To date, haplogroup X has not been unambiguously identified in Asia, raising the possibility that some Native American founders were of Caucasian ancestry.
Discussion of ‘Strategic Pricing by Big 4 Audit Firms in Private Client Segments’

This article discusses the paper by Dutillieux et al., (2013). The comments are in four main areas, regarding the importance of the research question, the setting in which the study is located, the theoretical development of the study and some thoughts regarding both supply‐ and demand‐side considerations around auditor change.
The performance of four possible rules for selecting the Prime Minister after the Dutch Parliamentary elections of June 2010

Economic policy depends not only on national elections but also on coalition bargaining strategies. In coalition government, minority parties bargain on policy and form a majority coalition, and select a Prime Minister from their mids. In Holland the latter is done conventionally with Plurality, so that the largest party provides the chair of the cabinet. Alternative methods are Condorcet, Borda or Borda Fixed Point. Since the role of the Prime Minister is to be above all parties and represent the nation and to be there for all citizens, it would enhance democracy and likely be optimal if the potential Prime Minister is selected from all parties and at the start of the bargaining process. The performance of the four selection rules is evaluated using the results of the 2010 Dutch Parliamentary elections. The impossibility theorem by Kenneth Arrow (Nobel memorial prize in economics 1972) finds a crucially different interpretation.
Dynamic impacts of market power and diversification on bank efficiencies in Taiwan

This article adopts a panel error-correction model to explore dynamic impacts of diversification and market power on bank efficiencies by utilizing the pooled mean group and mean group estimators. The sample comprises unbalanced panel data of 22 Taiwanese-listed domestic commercial banks over the period 1997 to 2010. Empirical results show divergence of long- and short-run effects of market power and diversification on bank efficiencies. The effect of market power of loans exerts a significantly positive effect on technical efficiency in the long run while coexisting with a negative short-run relationship, as well as with the long- and short-run association between diversification and cost efficiency.
Issues, Challenges, and Trends, that Facing Hospitality Industry

Abstract: This article presents findings of issues, challenges and trends that hospitality industry might fact in the year ahead respectively. Top issues that will influence the global hospitality industry in the year ahead include sustainable development calls for green hospitality, labor cost, multicultural issues and higher education. Challenges that facing hospitality include will include operating issues, marketing issues, technological issues and economic issues. Identified ten key trends that, taken together, we believe will shape the hospitality sector this year and for years to come include rapid growth in vacation ownership, integration & globalization, new management. Key words: Issues; Challenges; Trends; Hospitality Industry
Temporal Dynamics of Iris Yellow Spot Virus and Its Vector, Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in Seeded and Transplanted Onion Fields

ABSTRACT Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci (Lindeman) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), can reduce onion bulb yield and transmit iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) (Bunyaviridae: Tospovirus), which can cause additional yield losses. In New York, onions are planted using seeds and imported transplants. IYSV is not seed transmitted, but infected transplants have been found in other U.S. states. Transplants are also larger than seeded onions early in the season, and thrips, some of which may be viruliferous, may preferentially colonize larger plants. Limited information is available on the temporal dynamics of IYSV and its vector in onion fields. In 2007 and 2008, T. tabaci and IYSV levels were monitored in six seeded and six transplanted fields. We found significantly more thrips in transplanted fields early in the season, but by the end of the season seeded fields had higher levels of IYSV. The percentage of sample sites with IYSV-infected plants remained low (<12%) until August, when infection levels increased dramatically in some fields. The densities of adult and larval thrips in August and September were better predictors of final IYSV levels than early season thrips densities. For 2007 and 2008, the time onions were harvested may have been more important in determining IYSV levels than whether the onions were seeded or transplanted. Viruliferous thrips emigrating from harvested onion fields into nonharvested ones may be increasing the primary spread of IYSV in late-harvested onions. Managing T. tabaci populations before harvest, and manipulating the spatial arrangement of fields based on harvest date could mitigate the spread of IYSV.
Cytogenetic genotoxicity of amoxicillin

Amoxicillin (AMO), a drug used in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible bacteria, has been evaluated for its ability to induce genotoxicity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The potential genotoxic effects of AMO were investigated in vitro by the sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosomal aberration (CA), and micronucleus (MN) tests. The cells were treated with 400, 600, 800, and 1,000 μg/ml AMO in the presence and absence of a metabolic activator (S9 mix), respectively. In this study, AMO did not induce SCEs or CAs in human peripheral blood lymphocytes both in the presence and absence of the metabolic activator. AMO concentration‐dependently decreased the proliferation index (PI) in the absence of the metabolic activation for 24‐hr treatment period. Mitotic index (MI) was generally found to have been reduced when compared with the negative control but not with the solvent control in cultures treated with AMO for 24 hr. AMO did not decrease the PI and MI in the presence of the metabolic activator. Furthermore, AMO neither induced the formation of MN nor decreased the nuclear division index in human peripheral blood lymphocytes both in the presence and absence of the metabolic activator. According to the present results, we suggest that AMO does not pose genotoxic risk for patients who are under therapy against bacterial infections. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. , 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.