Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monetary and Macroprudential Policies – Exploring Interactions

This article explores the interactions between monetary policy and macroprudential policy. The starting point is that monetary policy and macroprudential policy pursue different primary objectives – price (and output) stability for monetary policy, and financial stability for macroprudential policy. Nonetheless, the conduct of each policy can have “side effects” on the objectives of the other (Figure 1). We argue that, in the presence of such side effects, effective monetary and macroprudential policies complement each other, yielding superior outcomes to a world where monetary policy – or macroprudential policy – is pursued on its own and in the absence of the other policy. In particular, we explore the following three arguments. First, monetary policy can have a range of “side effects” on financial stability. However, macroprudential policy can attenuate these side effects, providing more room for maneuver for monetary policy to pursue its primary objective. Second, the tightening of macroprudential policy tools can have dampening “side effects” on output. However, monetary policy can counter these effects, by adding accommodation at the margin, as long as monetary policy is effective. Third, macroprudential policy can build buffers that can be relaxed in periods of financial stress. Such a policy can help keep open the transmission of monetary policy, preserving the effectiveness of monetary policy in the event of such stress. For each of these three “interactions”, we also explore important empirical questions. Can macroprudential policy contain monetary side effects on financial stability effectively? How strong are the side effects of macroprudential policy on output? How effective is a relaxation of macroprudential buffers in periods of stress? This article draws on the results first reported in IMF (2013a) and IMF (2013b), and on further analysis conducted for this article on the effects of macroprudential measures for the sample of 36 countries over the period 2000−11 that was used in IMF (2013b). Full publication: Macroprudential Policy
Effects of dietary fiber on intestinal growth, cell proliferation, and morphology in growing pigs.

Growing pigs (initial BW 14.3 +/- 1.2 kg) were fed isocaloric (3.26 Mcal of ME/kg) and isonitrogenous (16% CP) diets containing either 0 (low fiber, LF; n = 4) or 10% (high fiber, HF; n = 4) wheat straw for ad libitum intake for 14 d. On d 14, each pig was injected i.v. with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU, a thymidine analog; 5 mg/kg) and was slaughtered 1 h later. Visceral organs (liver, pancreas, and intestines) were weighed, and tissue samples were obtained. Feed consumption, daily gain, gain: feed, and final BW did not differ between treatments. Neither visceral weights nor visceral weights per unit of eviscerated BW were affected by diets. Tissue concentrations of DNA (milligrams/gram of tissue) were lower (P < .03) in HF than in LF only for jejunum, ileum, and liver. Contents of DNA and protein (milligrams) did not differ between LF and HF for intestinal segments or liver. Content of RNA (milligrams) was greater (P < .04) in HF than in LF only for colon. The number of crypt cell nuclei that were labeled with BrdU (indicating DNA synthesis and thus cell proliferation) was increased (P < .03) in HF relative to LF for jejunum and colon. The number of epithelial cells exhibiting DNA fragmentation (indicating programmed cell death) was greater (P < .07) in the HF than in the LF group for jejunum and ileum. Width of intestinal villi was increased (P < .10) in HF vs LF for jejunum and ileum. Depth of intestinal crypts was increased (P < .08) in HF vs LF for jejunum, ileum, and colon. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Smart curtailment for congestion management in LV distribution network

The rapid proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs) leads to capacity challenges, i.e. network congestions, in the low-voltage (LV) distribution networks. A number of strategies are being widely studied to tackle the challenges with direct switching actions such as load shedding or power curtailment. On the other hand, various market-based demand response (DR) programs have been developed to influence the large number of DERs to use their flexibility to deal with network congestions. However, most of the market-based solutions rely on the flexibilities of the DERs, thus cannot solve the congestion when flexibility is not available in the network. To complement the market-based solutions, a smart active power curtailment based mechanism is necessary for managing the congestions in the distribution network. In this paper, we propose a novel method for congestion management by active power curtailment based on a Mixed-Integer Programming technique. In addition, two greedy selection methods together with fair power curtailment and security constrained OPF methods have been developed for the sake of comparison. The overall performance of the proposed approach and the comparison with other methods have been verified by a simulation with a typical LV network of the Netherlands.
Sign language interpreting in legal settings in Flanders : An exploratory study into the experiences of Flemish Deaf people in their contact with the justice system

6 0. Introduction . 7 1. Literature review . 9 1.1 International . 9 1.1.1 United Nations . 9 1.2 European Union . 11 1.3 Belgium . 16 1.4 Theoretical Framework: Equality Before the Law . 23 2. Methodology . 25 2.1 Research Approach . 25 2.2 Semi-Structured Interview: Questions . 27 2.3 Role of the Researcher . 28 2.4 Call . 31 2.5 Phase 1: The Respondents . 32 2.6 Semi-Structured Interview: Protocol . 33 2.7 Analysis. 34 3. Findings . 36 An Exploratory Study into the Experiences of Flemish Deaf People Carolien Doggen in their Contact with the Justice System March 2016 5 3.1 Phase 2: Narratives of the Deaf Participants . 38 3.2 Phase 3: Open-Ended Questions . 56 4. Discussion and Recommendations . 61 4.1 Discussion . 61 4.2 Recommendations . 62 4.3 Limitations . 63 4.4 Suggestions for the Future Research . 64 5. Conclusion . 65 References . 67 An Exploratory Study into the Experiences of Flemish Deaf People Carolien Doggen in their Contact with the Justice System March 2016
Animal Models of Action Tremor

This article is devoted to animal models of tremors that emerge from lesions in the Guillain‐Mollaret triangle. Cerebellar intention tremor is caused by lesions in the brachium conjunctivum or in the interpositus nucleus, possibly in combination with damage to the dentate nucleus. Impaired feedforward motor control delays the braking of rapid movements, resulting in target overshoot and subsequent oscillation. Transcortical and transcerebellar sensorimotor loops undergo oscillation at a frequency that depends on the mechanical properties of the limb and the length of the sensorimotor loop (mechanical reflex oscillation). The crescendo quality of intention tremor may be a result of amplification of tremor in reverberating brain stem‐cerebellar or thalamocortical loops. So‐called rubral or midbrain tremor is caused by a combination of damage to the brachium conjunctivum and nigrostriatal pathways in the vicinity of the red nucleus. Secondary compensatory changes in the motor system are probably involved because midbrain tremor in people usually begins weeks or months after a midbrain stroke or trauma. Harmaline causes enhanced neuronal synchrony and rhythmicity in the inferior olive; this animal model, although as yet unproven, is the most popular one for essential tremor (ET). Additional studies in laboratory animals are needed to define the seemingly universal involvement of the cerebellum and ventrolateral thalamus (ventralis intermedius [Vim]) in virtually all human tremor disorders.
Buffering Mechanisms in Aging: A Systems Approach Toward Uncovering the Genetic Component of Aging

An unrealized potential to understand the genetic basis of aging in humans, is to consider the immense survival advantage of the rare individuals who live 100 years or more. The Longevity Gene Study was initiated in 1998 at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine to investigate longevity genes in a selected population: the “oldest old” Ashkenazi Jews, 95 years of age and older, and their children. The study proved the principle that some of these subjects are endowed with longevity-promoting genotypes. Here we reason that some of the favorable genotypes act as mechanisms that buffer the deleterious effect of age-related disease genes. As a result, the frequency of deleterious genotypes may increase among individuals with extreme lifespan because their protective genotype allows disease-related genes to accumulate. Thus, studies of genotypic frequencies among different age groups can elucidate the genetic determinants and pathways responsible for longevity. Borrowing from evolutionary theory, we present arguments regarding the differential survival via buffering mechanisms and their target age-related disease genes in searching for aging and longevity genes. Using more than 1,200 subjects between the sixth and eleventh decades of life (at least 140 subjects in each group), we corroborate our hypotheses experimentally. We study 66 common allelic site polymorphism in 36 candidate genes on the basis of their phenotype. Among them we have identified a candidate-buffering mechanism and its candidate age-related disease gene target. Previously, the beneficial effect of an advantageous cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP-VV) genotype on lipoprotein particle size in association with decreased metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, as well as with better cognitive function, have been demonstrated. We report an additional advantageous effect of the CETP-VV (favorable) genotype in neutralizing the deleterious effects of the lipoprotein(a) (LPA) gene. Finally, using literature-based interaction discovery methods, we use the set of longevity genes, buffering genes, and their age-related target disease genes to construct the underlying subnetwork of interacting genes that is expected to be responsible for longevity. Genome wide, high-throughput hypothesis-free analyses are currently being utilized to elucidate unknown genetic pathways in many model organisms, linking observed phenotypes to their underlying genetic mechanisms. The longevity phenotype and its genetic mechanisms, such as our buffering hypothesis, are similar; thus, the experimental corroboration of our hypothesis provides a proof of concept for the utility of high-throughput methods for elucidating such mechanisms. It also provides a framework for developing strategies to prevent some age-related diseases by intervention at the appropriate level.
Neo-Liberalism, the Islamic Revival, and Urban Development in Post-War, Post-Socialist Sarajevo

This thesis examines the confluence between pan-Islamist politics, neo-liberalism and urban development in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. After tracing a history of the Islamic revival in Bosnia, I examine the results of neo-liberal policy in post-war Bosnia, particularly regarding the promises of neo-liberal institutions and think tanks that privatization and inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) would de-politicize the economy and strip ethno-religious nationalist elites of their power over state-owned firms. By analyzing three prominent new urban developments in Sarajevo, all financed by FDI from the Islamic world and brought about by the privatization of urban real-estate, I show how neo-liberal policy has had unintended outcomes in Sarajevo that contradict the assertions of policy makers. In examining urban change, I bring out the role played by the city in mediating between both elites and citizens, and between the seemingly contradictory projects of pan-Islamism and neo-
Inflation Dynamics in Sri Lanka: An Empirical Analysis

This paper examines the dynamics of inflation in Sri Lanka using the cointegration approach on quarterly time series data. Considering recent empirical studies in the context of inflation in emerging countries including Sri Lanka, an empirical model has been constructed with seven variables; namely inflation, economic growth, government expenditure, exchange rate, money supply, oil prices and interest rates. The main determinants of inflation in Sri Lanka are the economic growth, exchange rate, government expenditure, money supply, oil prices and interest rates in the long run. According to the estimated impulse response functions, both domestic shocks (money supply, interest rate and economic growth) and external shocks (exchange rate and oil prices) have an effect on inflation in the short run. These findings would be useful for policy makers in their effort in maintaining price stability in Sri Lanka on a sustainable basis.
Association of apolipoprotein E with murine amyloid A protein amyloid.

BACKGROUND Experimental amyloid A protein (AA) amyloidosis in mice is the most rapid type of amyloid formed, thus providing a valuable model to study amyloid formation. Recent studies have suggested the importance of apolipoprotein E (apoE) in Alzheimer's disease and systemic amyloidoses. To help understand the role of apoE in amyloidoses, we examined amyloid tissue for the presence of apoE in mouse AA amyloid. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Mice were injected with amyloid-enhancing factor and silver nitrate to induce amyloid deposition. Spleens were examined for Congo red staining and serum amyloid A, serum amyloid P component, and apoE immunostaining. In addition, RNA analysis was performed to measure the expression of apoE in various tissues after amyloid induction. RESULTS We have found that apoE is associated with mouse amyloid. Ab to apoE consistently detected the presence of increased levels of apoE in amyloid tissue. Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed that the apoE immunoreactivity co-associated with AA and serum amyloid P in the amyloid fibrils. Northern blot analysis of amyloid tissue showed an increase in apoE messenger RNA compared with control tissue. CONCLUSIONS This is the first demonstration of apoE in mouse amyloid tissue. The data presented here, along with previous studies, suggest that apoE may be involved in amyloidogenesis. These studies validate the mouse model for studying the role of apoE in amyloid fibrillogenesis. The use of transgenic and gene-inactivated mice will help to elucidate the role and mechanism of apoE in amyloid formation.
Efficacy of increasing physical activity to reduce children's visceral fat: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To examine whether differentially targeting physical activity within the context of pilot family-based pediatric weight control treatment results in differential change in abdominal fat, particularly visceral fat. METHOD Twenty-nine overweight children (>85(th) body mass index [BMI] percentile) and at least one participating parent were randomly assigned to one of two family-based behavioral weight management conditions that either targeted 1) primarily dietary change (STANDARD; n = 15) or 2) dietary plus physical activity change (ADDED; n = 14). Differences at post-treatment in overall child weight status (e.g., BMI), whole-body composition (measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry), and abdominal fat (measured by waist circumference and magnetic resonance imaging) were assessed using intent-to-treat analyses, as were post-treatment parent BMI and waist circumference. Child and parent physical activity and dietary behavior changes were also evaluated. Results. At post-treatment, overall child weight status, whole-body composition, and child dietary measures did not differ by condition. Children in the ADDED condition tended to have higher physical activity and lower visceral abdominal fat at post-treatment relative to children in the STANDARD condition. CONCLUSIONS Increasing physical activity may be important to optimize reductions in abdominal fat, especially visceral fat, among overweight children provided with family-based behavioral weight management treatment. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00359957.
The Nitric Oxide‐Cyclic GMP Pathway Plays an Essential Role in Both Promoting Cell Survival of Cerebellar Granule Cells in Culture and Protecting the Cells Against Ethanol Neurotoxicity

Abstract: NMDA has two beneficial effects on primary neuronal cultures of cerebellar granule cells (CGCs) established from 10‐day‐old rat pups. First, NMDA is neurotrophic and will enhance survival of CGCs in culture in the absence of ethanol. Second, ethanol exposure will induce cell death in CGC cultures, and NMDA can lessen this ethanol‐induced cell loss, i.e., NMDA is neuroprotective. Because NMDA can stimulate production of nitric oxide (NO), which can in turn enhance synthesis of cyclic GMP, this study tested the hypothesis that the NO‐cyclic GMP pathway is essential for NMDA‐mediated neurotrophism and neuroprotection. Inhibiting the synthesis of NO with NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester eliminated both the NMDA‐mediated neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects. Similarly, inhibiting production of cyclic GMP with the agent LY83583 also abolished these effects. The NO generator 2,2′‐(hydroxynitrosohydrazono)bisethanamine produced neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects that were similar to those induced by NMDA. Also, 8‐bromo‐cyclic GMP produced neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects that were quite similar to the effects produced by NMDA. In conclusion, NMDA enhances survival of cerebellar granule cells and protects the cells against ethanol‐induced cell death by a mechanism(s) that involves the NO‐cyclic GMP pathway.
Stabilization controller for a cart-type inverted pendulum via a partial linearization method

In this paper, a stabilization control problem of a cart-type inverted pendulum system is discussed. For the stabilizing control of the inverted pendulum system, in general, a state feedback controller with linearization of the pendulum system around its equilibrium point is used. However, in case of a controlling in states away from the equilibrium point, the guarantee of stability is difficult or a large amount of the control input is needed to system. Then, in this paper, a new stabilizing controller which guarantees stabilizing for widespread states of the systems is proposed using a partial linearization method. In the proposed controller, at first, we decide a reference angular position of the pendulum in order to converge an angular position and a cart position to 0, and pendulum can track to its reference angular position using partial linearization method. By analyzing a ZeroDynamics of system, achieving of the stabilizing control of the pendulum and the cart are proved. Simulation results are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed controller.
An aspartic type protease degrades trypsin inhibitors, the major root storage proteins of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam cv. Tainong 57)

Roots of sprouted sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) were used as materials to purify proteases which degraded trypsin inhibitors (TIs), the root storage proteins of sweet potato (SP). The commercial pepstatin- agarose (crosslinked, 6%) was chosen as an affinity column for purification. The purified protease has a molecular mass of about 64 kDa on the gelatin-SDS-PAGE gel and was inhibited by pepstatin but not by E-64 on the gelatin- SDS-PAGE gel. Therefore, it might belong to the aspartic type. Using the trypsin inhibitor activity staining method as a criterion for TI degradations, we found that this aspartic type protease could degrade purified TIs in the pres- ence or absence of 5 mM DTT and the hydrolysis was complete in the former condition. The physiological role of aspartic type protease in the degradation of SPTIs is discussed.
Two Sides of the Same Coin? - The Effects of Hierarchy Inside and Outside Enterprise Social Networks

With more companies using Enterprise Social Networks (ESN) for employee communication and collaboration, the influence of ESN on organizational hierarchies has been subject of discussions in science and practice. Conversely, the question if formal hierarchies affect interaction inside ESN and outside (i.e., personal interaction or interaction via traditional media) in the same way has not yet been addressed. The aim of our research is to analyse those hierarchical effects. By contrasting a rich dataset comprising two years of communication and collaboration inside an ESN with data from an online survey, we found significant differences between the hierarchical effects inside and outside the ESN and their impact on communication and collaboration. Although our findings indicate significant impact of formal hierarchy, we found it to be weaker inside the ESN. We conclude that interaction inside ESN is more inclusive and balanced across hierarchical levels.
Immunotherapy of multifocal motor neuropathy

Introduction: Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is an immune-mediated disease, which usually runs a chronic course. Current treatments are aiming at modulation of the immune response to maintain functional status. Although patients can remain stable with prolonged maintenance intravenous immunoglobuin (IVIg) treatment, most patients slowly deteriorate over many years despite increasing IVIg doses. Areas covered: The paper identifies studies since 1985 for patients with MMN. Randomised and non-randomized studies examining the effects of any therapeutic agent were selected, to give a full overview of the different treatments for MMN. The review provides a treatment algorithm together with our views on current treatments, ongoing trials and possible directions for further research. Expert opinion: IVIg remains the only proven treatment for MMN, although questions around dosages and duration of treatment remain. The presence of an effective therapy for MMN should not discourage but stimulate further research into alternative treatments as ongoing axonal damage results in increasing impairment in patients with MMN.
The accuracy of the Guardian RT continuous glucose monitor in children with type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of the Guardian RT system (Medtronic Minimed, Northridge, CA) in young children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) during different scenarios of glucose levels and sensor age. METHODS At five clinical centers, 30 subjects between 4 and 17 years old with T1D were recruited. All subjects had a glycosylated hemoglobin level of <or=10.0% and were using an insulin pump. Subjects initially used a Guardian RT for approximately 1 week at home. Each subject was then hospitalized overnight for about 18 h in a clinical research center, during which time insulin-induced hypoglycemia occurred, along with frequently sampled glucose. RESULTS There were 1,511 laboratory glucose measurements paired with glucose measurements from 48 Guardian RT sensors. Overall, the median absolute difference (AD) was 21 mg/dL, and the median relative AD (RAD) was 14%, with 64% of sensor values meeting International Organization for Standardization home glucose meter criteria. The median AD was 27 mg/dL for reference glucose values<or=60 mg/dL and 25 mg/dL for reference glucose values<or=70 mg/dL. The median RAD was 19% for reference glucose values 71-120 mg/dL, 14% for reference glucose values 121-180 mg/dL, and 10% for reference glucose values>180 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS The Guardian RT appears to perform as well in children with T1D as it has been reported to perform in adults with diabetes. The Guardian RT has an accuracy similar to that of other available continuous glucose monitors and can give important and useful clinical information.