Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying the Causes of Low Participation Rates in Conservation Tenders

Conservation tenders are being used as a policy mechanism to deliver environmental benefits through changes in land, water and biodiversity management. While these mechanisms can potentially be more efficient than other agri-environmental and payment for ecosystem service schemes, a key limitation in practice is that participation rates from eligible landholders are often low, limiting both efficiency and effectiveness. In this paper we document and review potential causes of low participation in two categories: those that treat participation as an adoption issue focused on searching for the landholder, farm or practice characteristics that limit participation; and those that treat it as an auction design issue, looking for the different auction, contract or transaction cost elements that limit landholder interest in participation. We then model how landholders make choices to engage and bid in a tender, making three important contributions to the literature on this topic. First, we document the low participation rates in conservation tenders, mostly across developed countries, an issue that has received little attention to date. Second, we explain that a decision to participate in a conservation tender involves three simultaneous decisions about whether to change a management practice, whether to be involved in a public or private program with contractual obligations, and how to set a price or bid. Third, we explain that there are a number of factors that affect each stage of the decision process with some, such as landholder attitudes and risk considerations, relevant to all three. Our findings suggest that decisions to participate in a conservation tender are more complex than simple adoption decisions, involving optimisation challenges over a number of potentially offsetting factors.
Is the oil price pass-through to domestic inflation symmetric or asymmetric? new evidence from India based on NARDL

With 80% oil dependence, which is expected to further increase in coming years due to rapid expansion, and the reforms initiated to deregulate domestic oil market, the association between global oil prices and inflation in India has increased. Using the autoregressive distribution lag (ARDL) and the nonlinear and asymmetric autoregressive distribution lag (NARDL) framework, we investigate the association between global oil prices and inflation. The ARDL results indicate no association between the two, whereas NARDL findings not only point to long term association but also indicates asymmetric pass-through. Precisely, domestic prices increase with the increase in global oil prices but the decrease in global oil prices has no significant association with the domestic prices. These results are robust to the inclusion of additional variables, different proxy of oil prices (WTI crude) and different time period (January 2003 to January 2018). The contrasting results obtained from the ARDL and the NARDL modelling highlight the importance of using non-linear framework, especially in high oil dependence country with non-competitive market structure. The results have implications for welfare assessment and the effectiveness of monetary policy.
Is Hispanic race an independent risk factor for pathological stage in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy?

PURPOSE Hispanic-Americans are the most rapidly growing population in the United States. Although many studies have assessed differences in pathological stage at radical prostatectomy between white and black American men, to our knowledge none has assessed it in Hispanic men. We compared pathological stage at radical prostatectomy in contemporaneous groups of Hispanic and white American men. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 141 consecutive Hispanic and 314 consecutive white American men underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer from 1995 to 2002 at a single institution, as performed by one of us (ETG or MCB). Preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA), age at diagnosis, race, clinical stage, biopsy and specimen Gleason score, pathological stage, specimen volume and calculated specimen PSA density were collected for each patient. Data were compared using standard statistical methods. RESULTS Biopsy Gleason score, biopsy Gleason score distribution, specimen Gleason score, specimen Gleason distribution, pathological stage, calculated specimen PSA density, Gleason score change from biopsy to specimen and specimen prostate volume did not differ statistically between Hispanic and white men. Mean age and median preoperative PSA were statistically significantly higher in Hispanic vs white men (62.1 vs 59.5 years and 6.6 vs 5.4 ng/ml, respectively). In addition, no differences in the incidence of positive surgical margins, nonorgan confined disease, seminal vesicle invasion or positive lymph nodes were found between Hispanic and white men undergoing radical prostatectomy. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that in contemporaneously treated groups of Hispanic and white men at the same institution pathological stage was similar between the groups. To our knowledge this is the largest comparison of surgically treated prostate cancer between these 2 groups. Further followup in terms of PSA outcome in these groups is planned.
Dynamics of an emerging disease drive large-scale amphibian population extinctions

Epidemiological theory generally suggests that pathogens will not cause host extinctions because the pathogen should fade out when the host population is driven below some threshold density. An emerging infectious disease, chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is directly linked to the recent extinction or serious decline of hundreds of amphibian species. Despite continued spread of this pathogen into uninfected areas, the dynamics of the host–pathogen interaction remain unknown. We use fine-scale spatiotemporal data to describe (i) the invasion and spread of Bd through three lake basins, each containing multiple populations of the mountain yellow-legged frog, and (ii) the accompanying host–pathogen dynamics. Despite intensive sampling, Bd was not detected on frogs in study basins until just before epidemics began. Following Bd arrival in a basin, the disease spread to neighboring populations at ≈700 m/yr in a wave-like pattern until all populations were infected. Within a population, infection prevalence rapidly reached 100% and infection intensity on individual frogs increased in parallel. Frog mass mortality began only when infection intensity reached a critical threshold and repeatedly led to extinction of populations. Our results indicate that the high growth rate and virulence of Bd allow the near-simultaneous infection and buildup of high infection intensities in all host individuals; subsequent host population crashes therefore occur before Bd is limited by density-dependent factors. Preventing infection intensities in host populations from reaching this threshold could provide an effective strategy to avoid the extinction of susceptible amphibian species in the wild.
A Molecular Analysis of the Na+-Independent Cation Chloride Cotransporters

The homologous genes encoding the electroneutral solute carrier family 12A (SLC12A) were identified more than 20 years ago, however, over the last few years, it has become clear that each of the genes within this family potentially encode for more than one cation-chloride cotransporter (CCC). Even more surprising, despite more than 30 years of functional studies and a wealth of knowledge on the activators, inhibitors, ion affinities, and kinetics of these cotransporters, we still cannot sufficiently explain why some cells express only one CCC isoform, while others express two, three, or more CCC isoforms. In 2009, Drs. Alvarez-Leefmans and Di Fulvio published an extensive in silico molecular analysis of the potential splice variants of the Na+-dependent cation-chloride cotransporters. In this review, we will look at the exceptionally large variety of potential splice variants within the Na+-independent cation-chloride cotransporter (SLC12A4-SLC12A7) genes, their initial tissue identification, and their physiological relevance.
A new wireless sensor networks localization scheme with antenna arrays

In wireless sensor networks (WSN) location awareness is required to use the communication advantages of adaptive antenna arrays (AAA) and use energy efficiency location based routing protocols. In this work, we introduce a simple and practical location estimation technique which uses AAAs at the central node in WSNs. This localization technique can be used at the setup phase in the location based routing protocol. This technique is based on scanning the desired region in azimuth and radial directions by changing parameters of downlink beam. This sweeping process can activate the nodes in the desired region which is specified by antenna beam width and beam direction of the localization beam and also by minimum and maximum thresholds (Rmin and Rmax) for the received signal strength indicator (RSSI). Active nodes in the desired region transmit their IDs and RSSI levels via multi hop communication to the central node. Unlike GPS-based or beacon based localization techniques, the proposed technique does not require any modification in the sensor nodes. We demonstrate different scenarios for performance analysis of this localization technique. The results show that by carefully adjusting these parameters, desired performance can be achieved. The accuracy of location estimation depends on beam direction, beam width and transmitting power for downlink beams.
WAY-100635, a potent and selective 5-hydroxytryptamine1A antagonist, increases serotonergic neuronal activity in behaving cats: comparison with (S)-WAY-100135.

We reported previously that pharmacological blockade of somatodendritic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A autoreceptors with spiperone, a nonselective 5-HT1A antagonist, increases the spontaneous firing rate of central serotonergic neurons in awake cats. The present study examined the effects of systemic administration of two reportedly selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonists, (S)-WAY-100135 {N-tert-butyl-3-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazin-1-yl]-2-phenylpropanamide} and its more potent analog WAY-100635 {N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl] ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide}, on the single-unit activity of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus of freely moving cats. In addition, we assessed the antagonist action of these compounds at the 5-HT1A autoreceptor by examining their ability to block the inhibition of serotonergic neuronal activity produced by systemic administration of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin, a highly selective 5-HT1A agonist. Administration of (S)-WAY-100135 (0.025-1.0 mg/kg i.v.) moderately depressed neuronal activity at all doses tested. In contrast, administration of WAY-100635 (0.025-0.5 mg/kg i.v.) significantly increased neuronal activity. The stimulatory action of WAY-100635, like that of spiperone, was evident during wakefulness (when serotonergic neurons typically display a relatively high level of activity) but not during sleep (when serotonergic neurons display little or no spontaneous activity). Pretreatment with (S)-WAY-100135 (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) weakly attenuated the inhibitory action of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin. In contrast, WAY-100635 at doses as low as 0.1 mg/kg i.v. completely blocked the action of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin. The antagonist action of WAY-100635 at 5-HT1A autoreceptors closely paralleled its ability to increase neuronal activity. Overall, WAY-100635 appears to act as a selective 5-HT1A antagonist, whereas (S)-WAY-100135 does not. The results obtained with WAY-100635 confirm our previous findings obtained with spiperone and further support the hypothesis that 5-HT1A autoreceptor-mediated feedback inhibition operates under physiological conditions.
Climate and visitation to Utah's ‘Mighty 5’ national parks

ABSTRACT The relationship between climate and visitation to managed natural areas has been analyzed at a variety of different spatial scales. We expand upon our existing knowledge on this topic by: (1) determining how a wide range of climate variables affect visitation across a regional tourism system; and (2) identifying which variables affect visitation system-wide and which variables only affect visitation at specific parks. Our analysis focuses on five national parks located in southern Utah (USA) commonly referred to as ‘the Mighty 5’. We found monthly average daily maximum temperatures were the best predictor of system-wide visitation, suggesting average daily maximum temperatures play a more direct role in tourists’ travel decisions relative to other climate variables, including other derivations of temperature. We also found declines in monthly park visitation for three parks (Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef) once average daily maximum temperatures exceed 25 C. For Bryce Canyon and Zion however, monthly visitation continued to increase well above this threshold. The geophysical characteristics of these parks appear to mediate the relationship between average daily maximum temperature and visitation. The commonly found ‘inverted U-shape’ relationship between temperature and visitation should not be seen as a universal maxim. We also found precipitation to be a poor predictor of system-wide visitation, but a significant factor shaping the travel decisions of visitors to Bryce Canyon, the only park to offer snow-based outdoor recreation opportunities. Future research should not disregard the possibility of precipitation being a significant factor shaping visitors’ travel decisions. By conducting our analyses at two distinct scales, we have found there is a difference between the individual climate variables that are regionally-significant drivers of visitation and those that are locally-significant drivers of visitation. Scale matters in analyses of the relationship between climate and visitation.
BEX2 regulates mitochondrial apoptosis and G1 cell cycle in breast cancer

We have recently demonstrated that BEX2 is differentially expressed in primary breast tumors and BEX2 expression is required for the Nerve Growth factor inhibition of ceramide‐induced apoptosis in breast cancer. In this study we investigate the functional role of BEX2 in the survival and growth of breast cancer cells. We demonstrate that BEX2 downregulation induces mitochondrial apoptosis and sensitizes breast cancer cells to the pro‐apoptotic effects of ceramide, doxorubicin and staurosporine. In addition, BEX2 overexpression protects the breast cancer cells against mitochondrial apoptosis. We show that this effect of BEX2 is mediated through the modulation of Bcl‐2 protein family, which involves the positive regulation of anti‐apoptotic member Bcl‐2 and the negative regulation of pro‐apoptotic members BAD, BAK1 and PUMA. Moreover, our data suggests that BEX2 expression is required for the normal cell cycle progression during G1 in breast cancer cells through the regulation of cyclin D1 and p21. To further support the significance of BEX2 in the pathogenesis of breast cancer we demonstrate that BEX2 overexpression is associated with a higher activation of the Bcl‐2/NF‐κB pathway in primary breast tumors. Furthermore, we show that BEX2 downregulation results in a higher expression and activity of protein phosphatase 2A. The modulation of protein phosphatase 2A, which is also known to mediate the cellular response to ceramide, provides a possible mechanism to explain the BEX2‐mediated cellular effects. This study demonstrates that BEX2 has a significant role in the regulation of mitochondrial apoptosis and G1 cell cycle in breast cancer.
Isolated directional preponderance of caloric nystagmus: II. A neural network model.

HYPOTHESIS The purpose of this study was to simulate an isolated directional preponderance (DP) on bithermal caloric testing by constructing a realistic neural network model. The simulation was designed to capture not only the characteristics of the nystagmus response to caloric stimulation but also the response to rotational stimulation in patients with an isolated caloric DP. BACKGROUND The nature of an isolated DP--that is, a DP in the absence of a significant spontaneous nystagmus or canal paresis--is outlined in the preceding article. In this article, the authors investigate the possible neural basis for an isolated caloric DP using the mathematic modeling technique of neural network simulation. Neural network models are typically abstract in nature; however, in this case the network was based on the known structure and function of the central vestibular system. METHODS The neural network model was based on the known neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the horizontal vestibuloocular reflex pathway. A leftward-rightward asymmetric modification of the dynamic responses of simulated medial vestibular nucleus type IA neurons on one side, or of type 2 neurons on the other side, to peripheral input would generate an isolated caloric DP. RESULTS The values of DP and associated canal paresis produced by the network were within the same range as in the patient group. The network also predicted that the rotational DP would be lower than the caloric DP: between 2.5% and 56.9% of the caloric DP value. The actual rotational DP value was between 3% and 57% (average 41%) of the corresponding caloric DP value. CONCLUSIONS An isolated caloric DP can be simulated by a neural network model by modifying the activity of model units that represent medial vestibular nucleus neurons. An asymmetric dynamic response by a gain-enhancement function of either type 1A neurons on one side or of type 2 neurons on the other was sufficient to produce an isolated caloric DP. Excitatory gain enhancement of type 2 neurons produced a smaller rotational DP than a similar modification of type 1 neurons. This result indicates a potential neural locus for the generation of an isolated DP in patients with vestibular disorders.
Biphasic Dose-dependent Modulation of Cardiac Parasympathetic Activity by Moxonidine, an Imidazoline I1-receptor Agonist

Peripheral beta-adrenergic blockade and activation of central alpha2-adrenergic receptors have parasympathomimetic effects. The impact of activation of central imidazoline I1-receptors on vagal activity is not yet clear, but there is some evidence that imidazoline I1-receptors agonists may inhibit the parasympathetic system. Parasympatholytic effects may represent a risk for patient with reduced parasympathetic activity. To clarify the effect of imidazoline I1-receptors stimulation on vagal activity, increasing doses of moxonidine were applied subcutaneously to rats with implanted telemetric transmitters. Heart rate and blood pressure variability and baroreflex sensitivity were analyzed. Both, low (0.04, 0.12, and 0.36 mg/kg) and high (1.08 and 3.24 mg/kg), doses of moxonidine reduced the low-frequency power of systolic pressure variability, an index of sympathetic vascular modulation. Despite this reduction, low moxonidine doses neither reduced heart rate nor increased baroreflex gain. A decline of very low frequency power of heart rate variability, a sign of parasympatholysis, was observed with low doses of moxonidine, which can explain the absence of change in heart rate. High doses of moxonidine profoundly augmented very low and high-frequency power of heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity. These data suggest that the stimulation of imidazoline I1-receptors is not only sympatholytic but also seems to have as well a weak parasympatholytic effect. However, high doses of moxonidine are strongly parasympathomimetic through the activation of central alpha2-adrenoceptors. Recruitment of alpha2-adrenoceptors also results in manifestation of several side effects.
Measuring the relative efficiency of Canadian versus US banks

Article history: Received June 3, 2018 Received in revised format June 11 2018 Accepted September 4 2018 Available online September 4 2018 During the past three decades, data envelopment analysis (DEA) has been successfully used for measuring the relative efficiency of financial or non-financial firms. This paper presents an empirical investigation to measure the relative efficiency of five Canadian banks versus 6 US big banks using DEA method. The study considers the number of employees and total assets as input and net revenue is used as the output of the DEA model. The data are collected from the official statements of the banks for the fiscal year of 2017. The results indicate that 6 US banks maintained an average efficiency of 0.87 but the average efficiency of Canadian banks was 0.72. While two US banks maintained an efficiency of one, the other US banks demonstrate relatively well in terms of the performance. In Canada, while one bank performed relatively well, the performance of the other Canadian banks were not as good as the US banks. by the authors; licensee Growing Science, Canada 9 © 201
Graduate-Level Education

To evaluate the school's Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) program, the graduate faculty of the Cornell Hotel School surveyed hospitality-industry professionals, M.P.S. alumni, the school's graduate faculty, and incoming graduate students. All groups considered three skills important: leadership, the ability to identify problems, and organizing and writing skills. Four critical themes for success in the hospitality industry emerged from the executives and alumni: strategic or “big picture” orientation, communication, work and managerial styles, and leadership.
Family studies in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and other lymphoproliferative tumours

Families with multiple individuals affected with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and other related B‐cell tumours have been described in the literature. Familial CLL does not appear to differ from sporadic CLL in terms of prognostic markers and clinical outcome. Large, population‐based case–control and cohort studies have also shown significant familial aggregation of CLL and related conditions, including non‐Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma. Monoclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis also aggregates in CLL families. However, the clinical implication of familial aggregation is minimal given the overall rarity of CLL. Linkage studies have been conducted in high‐risk CLL families to screen the whole genome for loci that contribute to susceptibility but no gene mutations have yet been identified by this method. Association studies of candidate genes have implicated immune function and other genes but more studies are needed to verify these findings. The ability to conduct large scale genomic studies will play an important role in detecting susceptibility genes for CLL over the next few years and thereby help to delineate aetiological pathways.
Modelling energy consumption for CoopMAC protocol

A focus of recent research activities in cooperative communication is the medium access control (MAC). However, few are from the perspective of energy consumption. In this paper, a novel and generalized energy model for cooperative MAC protocol called CoopMAC, which is a representation of MAC protocols in cooperative transmission, is proposed and its efficacy has been shown. Compared with the previous research, this paper gives a more comprehensive analysis of different operations in cooperation transmission. A formula of total energy consumption is derived. Simulation results reveal that cooperative MAC protocol is more energy-saved than the IEEE 802.11 protocol in transmission process.