Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fertilizer adoption, credit access, and safety nets in rural Ethiopia

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of access to credit and safety nets on fertilizer adoption in rural Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach - – A panel data set collected in 2005 and 2007 on 278 households and over 5,700 plots from the Southern Highlands of Ethiopia is examined. The authors developed a theoretical model relating input use and credit contract under third-party credit collateral agreement. The estimation is based on instrumental variables regressions to account for the endogeneity of credit access, and safety nets in fertilizer demand equation. Findings - – Despite increasing trends in fertilizer and improved varieties adoption since mid-2003, only 22 percent of the plots in the sample is actually received fertilizer. Households with more assets measured by livestock wealth are more likely to adopt fertilizer but less likely to participate in the local credit market as they have better savings that could be used to buy fertilizer/improved seeds without credit contract. This suggests poorer farmers heavily depend on credit than wealthier. Participation in safety nets programs did not contribute for increased use of fertilizer suggesting that the program either competes with agricultural labor or the low wage income was not enough to pay for farm inputs. Practical implications - – The findings show that with a heavier reliance on credit by poorer farmers it appears that much might be gained by targeting policies toward increasing credit access to this group. Originality/value - – Studies that utilize repeated plot- and household-level observations are limited. To the knowledge, this is the first study showing the relationship between credit accesses, public work program and fertilizer adoption over time in rural Ethiopia.
Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Purpose: We attempted to determine the usefulness of high-speed MR imaging for evaluating the severity of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) by comparing findings of pharyngeal obstruction obtained with high-speed MR with those of all-night polysomnography (PSG). Subjects and Methods: A total of 33 patients with SAS underwent turbo-FLASH MR examination, while awake and after i.v. injection of hydroxyzine hydrochloride. Serial images were examined by cinemode. Pharyngeal findings on MR were divided into single-site obstruction (SO) at the velopharynx, multiple-site obstruction (MO), and no obstruction (NO). PSG findings were analyzed to determine the predominant type of apnea, severity as evaluated by an apnea index (AI), and the lowest SaO2 value during sleep. Results: Seventy-five percent of the central apnea group had SO, and 70% of the mixed apneas had MO, while only 15% of the obstructed apneas had MO. The percentage of patients with severe SAS (AI of 20% or higher) was 48% for the SO, and 70% for the MO. The lowest SaO2 value tended to be low in the mixed apnea in the case of PSG, and tended to be low in the MO at MR examination. Conclusion: Analysis of pharyngeal dynamics using high-speed MR may provide some useful information for evaluating the severity of SAS.
Sympathetic neural activation does not mediate heart rate variability during repeated brief umbilical cord occlusions in near‐term fetal sheep

Fetal heart rate variability and changes in the ST segment of the electrocardiogram are used clinically during labour to identify fetuses at risk of severe metabolic acidosis or death. Sympathetic nervous system activity contributes to heart rate variability in healthy normoxic fetuses, and is critical for the rapid haemodynamic adaptations to repeated episodes of asphyxia induced by brief complete umbilical cord occlusions at rates consistent with active labour. We now show that chemical sympathectomy did not alter fetal heart rate variability between episodes of brief repeated asphyxia or elevation of the ST segment during asphyxia. The lack of influence of the sympathetic system on fetal heart rate variability between episodes of brief asphyxia suggests that measures of fetal heart rate variability are unlikely to help monitor changes in sympathetic nervous system activity during active labour.
Analysis and Assessment of Errors of Commission in Nuclear Power Plant Settings

The term Errors of Commission (EOC) describes a safety problem of complex technical systems where humans intervene into the system functions in an inappropriate way. Most serious events in any technical area are caused by EOCs. Humans shut down a high pressure injection that is needed in the current situation (TMI Nuclear Power Plant), humans decide to continue a test that brings the plant into serious conditions (Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant), Maintenance Management does not exchange a wheel that is far below the safety margins (Eschede Railway Accident in Germany). Similar examples can be mentioned in other technical systems like Aircraft or Medicine for instance. This paper firstly gives an overview about the problem and the work in that field. It then focuses on some approaches for solution concerning the modeling of cognitive human behaviour.
Using Satellite Imagery in Predicting Kansas Farmland Values

Can remotely sensed imagery improve hedonic land price models? A remotely sensed variable was added to a hedonic farmland value model as a proxy for land productivity. Land cover data were used to obtain urban and recreational effects as well. The urban and recreational effects were statistically significant but economically small. The remotely sensed productivity variable was statistically significant and economically large, indicating that knowing the "greenness" of the land increased the explanatory power of the hedonic price model. Thus, depending upon the cost of this information, including remotely sensed imagery in traditional hedonic land price models is economically beneficial.
The rise of ‘user creativity’ – Web 2.0 and a new challenge for copyright law and cultural policy

This paper argues that cultural policy and copyright law have paid insufficient attention to the rise of mini‐creators, people who get inspiration from existing copyrighted works and add to them to create new expressions. With the various creative and distributive technologies available today, they attempt to recontextualize cultural products they consume and express themselves, but their activities tend to be on the borderline of copyright infringement. Examination of lawsuits related to video game modification in the USA and in Japan will show different judicial approaches to the spread of modification devices for users, but commonly reveal the failure of copyright law to come to terms with their activities. It is suggested that copyright law should recognize their creativity and contribution to the enrichment of culture.
The Association Between Earnings and Returns and Macroeconomic Performance: Evidence from Australia, the U.S., and China

We provide some initial descriptive and exploratory results concerning the earnings-returns relation in periods of poor versus strong macroeconomic performance. Based on data from three countries – Australia, the U.S., and China – our results indicate some differences for U.S. and Chinese firms, but not Australian firms. However the results for U.S. and Chinese firms are somewhat contradictory – U.S. (Chinese) firms generally exhibit a stronger (weaker) earnings-returns association in periods of both negative and strongly positive macroeconomic performance. These differences appear largely attributable to reported profits and not to losses. We find no evidence that poor earnings news released during periods such as the GFC is ‘punished’ relative to other periods.
Are Late Life Gamblers a Lucrative Market in Gambling Tourism? a Case Study of Iowa, United States

This study investigated the lucrative potential of late life gamblers in terms of spending, switching, travel, and economic impact. It further offered comparisons with the non—late life cohort. A rigorous process of statistical testing indicated both similarities and dissimilarities between the older and the younger cohorts. Switching emerged as a significant predictor of spending. The economic impact model using IMPLAN software afterward indicated significant economic potential of the late life market in terms of direct, indirect, and induced impacts.
Macroeconomic Shocks and Trade Flows within Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for Optimum Currency Arrangements

Africa has more countries than any other continent, and hence the largest number of potential monetary and exchange rate arrangements. This paper looks at whether the existing highly fractured monetary arrangements in Sub-Saharan Africa correspond to what might be expected from the theory of optimum currency areas. This is done by analyzing both the size and correlation of real disturbances across countries and the level of intra-regional trade. The results indicate little evidence that Sub-Saharan African countries would benefit in the near future from larger currency unions.
Assessing the Potential Impact of the HIV- 1 Epidemic on Orphanhood and the Demographic Structure of Populations in sub-Saharan Africa

infection attained,' which will, in turn, be primarily determined by current and future patterns of sexual behaviour, including rates of partner change, patterns of mixing between age and sexual-activity classes of the two sexes, the extent of condom use and. the control of other sexually transmitted diseases that appear to promote the likelihood of HIV transmission. However, irrespective of whether population growth rates become negative, the spread of HIV is likely to bring about significant changes in the demographic composition of populations; adult and infant mortality will rise steeply, as will the incidence of orphanhood. Significant changes in the age and sex structure of the adult population may also take place. Such changes have already been seen to be placing severe strains on the social and economic fabric of those areas worst affected in the early stages of the pandemic.2 In this paper, we investigate the nature and extent of likely changes in demographic composition and orphanhood by using a mathematical model which combines demographic and epidemiological processes to examine the effects of three alternative epidemics in which growth rates are and are not turned negative. These simulations are loosely based on the epidemiological and demographic profile of one of the more developed countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Zimbabwe), but are not regarded as representative of the situation in any particular country. Rather, by considering contrasting behavioural contexts, which give rise to significantly different degrees of
Na+‐K+ Pump Stimulation Improves Contractility in Damaged Muscle Fibers

Abstract: Skeletal muscles have a high content of Na+‐K+‐ATPase, an enzyme that is identical to the Na+‐K+ pump, a transport system mediating active extrusion of Na+ from the cells and accumulation of K+ in the cells. The major function of the Na+‐K+ pumps is to maintain the concentration gradients for Na+ and K+ across the plasma membrane. This generates the resting membrane potential, allowing the propagation of action potentials, excitation‐contraction coupling and force development. Muscles exposed to (1) high extracellular K+ or (2) low extracellular Na+ show a considerable loss of force. A similar force decline is elicited by (3) increasing Na+ permeability or (4) decreasing K+ permeability. Under all of these four conditions, stimulation of the Na+‐K+ pumps can restore contractility. Following exposure to electroporation or fatiguing stimulation, muscle cell membranes develop leaks to Na+ and K+ and a partially reversible loss of force. The restoration of force is abolished by blocking the Na+‐K+ pumps and markedly improved by stimulating the Na+‐K+ pumps with β2‐agonists, calcitonin gene‐related peptide, or dbcAMP. These observations indicate that the Na+‐K+ pumps are important for the functional compensation of the commonly occurring loss of muscle cell integrity. Stimulation of the Na+‐K+ pumps with β2‐agonists or other agents may be of therapeutic value in the treatment of muscle cell damage induced by electrical shocks, prolonged exercise, burns, or bruises.
Analysts' reactions to warnings of negative earnings surprises

We investigate analysts? reactions to qualitative warnings of adverse earnings, and attempt to reconcile analysts? more negative forecast revisions, as documented in previous research, and the apparently conflicting anecdotal evidence that suggests more positive responses to firms that warn. We conjecture that the inconsistency arises because warnings cause analysts to revise their earnings forecasts sequentially in response to two related signals (the warning and the earnings announcement). However, their responses to retrospective questions about the effects of warnings are the result of a simultaneous response to both signals. In our experiment, 28 financial analysts predicted future years? earnings in one of three conditions. Consistent with the anecdotal evidence suggesting that analysts evaluate warnings positively, analysts who simultaneously evaluated a warning and a later earnings announcement (the Simultaneous warning condition) forecasted higher future earnings than analysts who received no warning (the No Warning condition). However, analysts who first revised their forecasts based on the warning and then made a second revision based on the later earnings announcement (our Sequential warning condition) forecasted much lower future earnings than those in the Simultaneous warning condition, and slightly lower future earnings than in the No warning condition. This suggests that the act of sequential processing contributes to analysts more negative forecasts documented in previous archival research. Taken together, these results suggest that the positive impact of analysts' stated beliefs about firms that warn (as reflected in their responses to reporters? retrospective questions) are more than offset by the effects of sequentially processing a warning followed by an earnings announcement.
Bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnosing acute bacterial pneumonia.

The utility of gram stain and semiquantitative culture of the fluid retrieved by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in identifying the causative agent in acute bacterial pneumonia was initially assessed in 92 patients. Fifteen of these patients presented with clinically active bacterial pneumonia; the remaining patients underwent bronchoscopy to evaluate other processes in the lung. Thirteen of the 15 patients with clinically active bacterial pneumonia had a BAL culture greater than or equal to 10(5) colony-forming units per milliliter of BAL fluid, whereas none of the other groups had a positive culture (chi 2 = 70.7, P less than .001). Gram stain of cytocentrifuged BAL fluid was positive (one or more organisms seen per 1,000 X field) only in those patients with an active bacterial pneumonia. Applying this technique, we studied 59 immunocompromised patients presenting with pulmonary infiltrates. Eight (21%) of the 39 patients presenting with microbial-related infiltrates proved to have acute bacterial pneumonia by BAL culture; the pneumonia resolved with appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
Control of corruption, Action of public power, Human capital and Economic development: Application two sectors of education and health in the MENA region

The objective of this article is to study the direct and indirect effects of corruption control via the action of public power on economic development (economic growth, education, health, etc.). This work also seeks to show spending on areas of education and health to improve the skills and human capital levels of education. Finally, we try to test the complementarity between the role of the action of public power and control of corruption (anti-corruption) in a context of economic development while using the models of simultaneous equations for our area of MENA study, during a definite period (1984-2012).
In Situ Hybridization and Immunohistochemical Analysis of Cytochrome P450 1B1 Expression in Human Normal Tissues

SUMMARY Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) is a recently cloned dioxin-inducible form of the cytochrome P450 supergene family of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes. CYP1B1 is constitutively expressed mainly in extrahepatic tissues and is inducible by aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands. Human CYP1B1 is involved in activation of chemically diverse human procarcinogens, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and some aromatic amines, as well as the endogenous hormone 17β-estradiol. The metabolism of 17β-estradiol by CYP1B1 forms 4-hydroxyestradiol, a product believed to be important in estrogen-induced carcinogenesis. Although the distribution of CYP1B1 mRNA and protein in a number of human normal tissues has been well documented, neither the cells expressing CYP1B1 in individual tissue nor the intracellular localization of the enzyme has been thoroughly characterized. In this study, using nonradioactive in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we examined the cellular localization of CYP1B1 mRNA and protein in a range of human normal tissues. CYP1B1 mRNA and protein were expressed in most samples of parenchymal and stromal tissue from brain, kidney, prostate, breast, cervix, uterus, ovary, and lymph nodes. In most tissues, CYP1B1 immunostaining was nuclear. However, in tubule cells of kidney and secretory cells of mammary gland, immunoreactivity for CYP1B1 protein was found in both nucleus and cytoplasm. This study demonstrates for the first time the nuclear localization of CYP1B1 protein. Moreover, the constitutive expression and wide distribution of CYP1B1 mRNA and protein in many human normal tissues suggest functional roles for CYP1B1 in the bioactivation of xenobiotic procarcinogens and endogenous substrates such as estrogens. (J Histochem Cytochem 49:229–236, 2001)
Between Fragmentation and Coordination

The article describes recent development in the Swedish local government system. This is made through four different ‘organizing perspectives’. Three organizing perspectives challenge the model of local popular government. The functional challenge focuses on the market orientation, which means that nearly all sorts of public activities should be put on the market according ti the belief that competition is the most important motor of public economy. The communitarian challenge focuses on the social and political order of user and citizen organizations in relation to the municipal organization, which can be viewed in terms of the relation between small-scale democracy and the large-scale democracy. Finally, the idea of governance structures focuses on how to mobilize and integrate different types of resources across borders within the public sector and between public and private institutions. By using the different organizing perspectives it is shown that the development of local politics and democracy is driven by different ideas. Experiences from reforms, which are related to these ideas, are presented. The article concludes by pointing out some important challenges for future development of local democracy in Sweden.
The Open Method of Coordination as practice - A watershed in European education policy?

This paper asks whether the application of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) represents a fundamental change in how cooperation takes place within education as a policy area at the European level. Based on a case study of a process that eventually would lead to the “Education and Training 2010” programme of the EU, the paper analyses how the OMC was turned into practice in European education policy. It argues that with the introduction of the OMC a new political space was created in this policy domain. The paper analyses the practices of the OMC in terms of the actors and roles that have been activated at the European level, the role of OMC education in a larger order, and its operative dynamics. The different elements of OMC show varying degrees of institutionalisation. Parts of this process have been experimental, especially as a venue of policy learning and peer reviewing. On the other hand the attention and agenda of EU institutions involved in education policy have been coordinated over time through the routines established around the goals and objectives of the OMC process. The use and development of indicators have also become well established as one of the main components of European cooperation in this field.
An ethnonational perspective on territorial politics in the EU: east–west comparisons from a pilot study

This paper examines the relationship between European integration and ethnonational demands with the example of selected regions in the European Union (EU). It follows the theoretical premises of new regionalism and explores the ways in which ethnonational groups use the opportunities and resources of European governance to express their identities, material interests, and political demands. Methodologically, it conducts a plausibility probe of the potential effects of European integration on ethnonationalism by testing for regional differences in identities, interests, and political attitudes. The case studies are drawn from the UK (Wales and Scotland), Belgium (Flanders), Austria (Carinthia and Burgenland), Romania (Northwest and Center regions), and Bulgaria (South-Central and South-Eastern regions) as a representative selection of regional interests in the EU. The paper finds that European integration affects ethnonational groups by reinforcing identity construction in the direction of inclusiveness and diversity. Although regional actors are more supportive of the EU than the European publics in general, they also seek access to representation in the authority structures of the state. Based on these findings, the paper concludes that European integration facilitates a growing public acceptance of its resources, in parallel with persisting allegiances to the nation-state, the community, and ethnoregional distinctiveness.
A novel hybrid soft switching full-bridge PWM and full-bridge LLC converter for on-board battery charger applications

This paper introduces a novel hybrid converter utilizing a full-bridge soft switching and full-bridge LLC converter. In the proposed topology an additional switch and a diode are adopted in the secondary side of the full bridge converter to achieve the ZVZCS of all the primary switches and rectifier diodes, and to eliminate the circulating current. In addition, the duty cycle loss can be minimized by minimizing the leakage inductance value of the transformer since the soft switching can be achieved regardless of it. The hybrid structure makes it possible to deliver the power to the secondary during the whole switching period, to reduce the size of the output filter and to improve the efficiency. The proposed topology is suitable for the applications such as on-board chargers for electric vehicles and high power dc-dc converters. A 6.6-kW prototype converter was implemented and a maximum of 97.5% efficiency was obtained.