Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retail Bank Interest Rate Pass-through: New Evidence at the Euro Area Level

This paper presents an error-correction model of the interest rate pass-through process based on a marginal cost pricing framework including switching and asymmetric information costs. Estimation results for the euro area suggest that the proportion of the pass-through of changes in market interest rates to bank deposit and lending rates within one month is at its highest around 50%. The interest rate pass-through is higher in the long term and notably for bank lending rates close to 100%. Moreover, a cointegration relation exists between retail bank and comparable market interest rates. Robustness checks, consisting of impulse responses based on VAR models and results for a sub-sample starting in January 1999, show qualitatively similar findings. However, the sub-sample results are supportive of a quicker pass-through process since the introduction of the euro. JEL Classification: E43, G21
Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase C attenuates extracellular matrix protein-induced vascular smooth muscle cell chemotaxis.

PURPOSE Intimal hyperplasia (IH), a significant cause of vascular reconstructive failure, is characterized by abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration, proliferation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. The ECM proteins, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), fibronectin (Fn), and vitronectin (Vn) can induce VSMC migration; however, the cellular signaling pathways involved are not identical for each ECM protein. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase C (PKC) are two enzymes that have been associated with VSMC migration. We sought to elucidate the roles of these enzymes in TSP-1-, Fn-, and Vn-stimulated VSMC migration. METHODS Chemotaxis assays were performed by using a modified Boyden Chamber. TSP-1, Fn, or Vn (20 microg/mL) or serum-free media (SFM) was placed in the bottom wells of the chamber. Quiescent bovine aortic VSMC were preincubated with LY 294002 (100 micromol/L), a PI3K inhibitor, bisindolylmaleimide I (GF 109203X, 1 micromol/L), a PKC inhibitor, or in SFM alone for 30 minutes. VSMCs (50,000 cells per well) were then placed in the top wells of the chamber, and the assay was conducted for 4 hours at 37 degrees C. Results were recorded as the number of cells migrated per five fields (400x) and analyzed by means of the paired t test, with P value less than.05 considered to be significant (n = 3). RESULTS The VSMC migration was significantly increased by TSP-1, Fn, and Vn. LY 294002 inhibited TSP-1-, Fn-, and Vn-stimulated VSMC migration (85% to 89%, P <.05). GF 109203X inhibited only TSP-1-stimulated migration (65%, P <.05). CONCLUSION These results suggest that TSP-1-, Fn-, and Vn-stimulated migration is at least partially dependent on PI3K. However, only TSP-1 stimulated migration is at least partially dependent on PKC.
Abhinav International Monthly Refereed Journal of Research in Management & Technology CHANGING TRENDS IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR IN INDIA

The healthcare sector in India has come of age. There has been a tremendous amount of growth in terms of physical size, investments, expenditures and utilization of healthcare services. However, health planners and policy makers have failed to take a holistic picture of the health services in the country. There was no attempt in post-independence period to radically restructure healthcare services. Health sector is complex with multiple goals, multiple products and different beneficiaries. In recent times, Privatization and liberalization characterize the new economic policies being pursued in the country. This research paper attempts to study the decline of the public health facilities and uncontrolled expansion of the private health sector since the adoption of economic reforms programme in India.
My Fibre or Your Fibre? Cooperative Investment, Uncertainty and Access

We investigate cooperative investment in a new infrastructure and how it interacts with access obligations and demand uncertainty. Co-investment only increases total coverage if service differentiation and/or cost savings from joint investment, in particular due to high uncertainty, are high. Mandated access reduces incentives for co-investment not only through lower returns but also by creating the option to ask for access instead. Voluntary access provision increases infrastructure coverage but reduces social welfare by softening competition.
Caecibacterium sporoformans gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic, butyrate-producing, spore-forming bacterium isolated from chicken caecum.

Strains of a Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and immotile bacterium were isolated from broiler chicken caecal content. The isolates required strict anaerobic conditions for growth, formed spores, were catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. They produced butyrate as the major metabolic end product in reinforced clostridial medium broth. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolated strains was 32.5-34.6 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0 FAME, C14 : 0 FAME, C19 : 0CYC 9,10DMA and C16 : 0DMA. The fatty acid composition of the cell wall showed no similarity to any strain in the midi database. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the nearest phylogenetic neighbours were Anaerostipes hadrus and Clostridium populeti (92 % sequence similarity) within Clostridium cluster XIVa of the phylum Firmicutes. Therefore, a novel genus is proposed, with the name Caecibacterium sporoformans gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Caecibacterium sporoformans is LMG 27730T=DSM 26959T.
Loyalty Programs: An Examination of the Best Practices in Selected Luxury Chain Hotels

Loyalty programs enable companies to reward their return customers. In the hotel industry, a loyalty program is a useful and beneficial tool to improve their customer service and entice their guests to stay with them on return visits. The purpose of this study was to conduct a best practices study on loyalty programs in luxury hotel chains. The researcher used a best practices matrix to examine the loyalty programs of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Omni Hotels and Resorts, and Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants. The study found that companies should benchmark their programs by aligning their benefits with companies similar to theirs. Loyalty programs should try to offer differentiated rewards to guests to entice them to join that program. Hotels should try to create partnerships with other businesses to create advantages that are mutually beneficial for the guest as well as the company.
Basic Versus Supplementary Health Insurance: The Role of Cost Effectiveness and Prevalence

In a model where patients face budget constraints that make some treatments unaffordable, we ask which treatments should be covered by universal basic insurance and which by private voluntary insurance. We argue that both cost effectiveness and prevalence are important if the government wants to maximize the health gain that it gets from its health budget. In particular, basic insurance should cover treatments that are used by people who at the margin buy treatments that are highly cost effective. This is not the same as covering treatments that are themselves highly cost effective.
Porphyromonas gingivalis‐nucleoside‐diphosphate‐kinase inhibits ATP‐induced reactive‐oxygen‐species via P2X7 receptor/NADPH‐oxidase signalling and contributes to persistence

Ligation of P2X7 receptors with a ‘danger signal’, extracellular ATP (eATP), has recently been shown to result in production of intracellular reactive‐oxygen‐species (ROS) in macrophages. We show that primary gingival epithelial cells (GECs) produce sustained, robust cellular ROS upon stimulation by eATP. The induction of ROS was mediated by P2X7 receptor signalling coupled with NADPH‐oxidase activation, as determined by pharmacological inhibition and RNA interference. Furthermore, Porphyromonas gingivalis, an oral opportunistic pathogen, upregulated the antioxidant glutathione response, modulated eATP‐induced cytosolic and mitochondrial ROS generated through P2X7/NADPH‐oxidase interactome, and subsequently blocked oxidative stress in GECs via temporal secretion of a P. gingivalis effector, nucleoside‐diphosphate‐kinase (Ndk). An ndk‐deficient P. gingivalis mutant lacked the ability to inhibit ROS production and persist intracellularly following eATP stimulation. Treatment with recombinant Ndk significantly diminished eATP‐evoked ROS production. P. gingivalis infection elicited a strong, time‐dependent increase in anti‐oxidativemitochondrial UCP2 levels, whereas ndk‐deficient mutant did not cause any change. The results reveal a novel signalling cascade that is tightly coupled with eATP signalling and ROS regulation. Ndk by P. gingivalis counteracts these antimicrobial signalling activities by secreting Ndk, thus contributing to successful persistence of the pathogen.
Service Packaging: Key to Successful Production of Complex ICT Business Services

Demand for ICT services is increasing at the same time as the services are becoming more complex and customer requests more unique. The resulting complexity creates severe problems for service providers. This paper introduces three service design and development methods – service industrialization, tangibilization, and service blueprinting – and describes how they can be used to reduce the complexity of ICT services through a case study of an ICT service provider. The results offer significant theoretical and managerial implications for the design and production of complex business services.
Accelerated molecular dynamics simulation of thin-film growth with the bond-boost method

We review the bond-boost method for accelerated molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and we demonstrate its application to kinetic phenomena relevant to thin-film growth. To illustrate various aspects of the method, three case studies are presented. We first illustrate aspects of the bond-boost method in studies of the diffusion of Cu atoms on Cu(001). In these studies, Cu interactions are described using a semi-empirical embedded-atom method potential. We recently extended the bond-boost method to perform accelerated ab initio MD (AIMD) simulations and we present results from preliminary studies in which we applied the bond-boost method in AIMD to uncover diffusion mechanisms of Al adatoms on Al(110). Finally, a problem inherent to many rare-event simulation methods is the ‘small-barrier problem’, in which the system resides in a group of states connected by small energy barriers and separated from the rest of phase space by large barriers. We developed the state-bridging bond-boost method to address this problem and we discuss its application for studying the diffusion of Co clusters on Cu(001). We discuss the outlook for future applications of the bond-boost method in materials simulation.
Influence of zinc, vitamin B12 and glutathione on the liver of rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride.

Protective effects of three agents viz. metallic zinc, glutathione and vitamin B12 have been tested against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic injury in rat Rattus rattus albino taking few biochemical parameters. Induced protein synthesis has been correlated with increased transcriptional activity of DNA. Data on carbohydrates suggest the reversal of enzyme and coenzyme activities. However, the manner in which these drugs might have caused lipotropic effects remains elusive. Nevertheless, stabilization of biomembranes by zinc, lipid soluble character of vitamins and importance of glutathione as a SH product have been discussed.
Who works at home

The proportion of work which is casual, part-time, self-employed or in some way insecure has increased during the 1980 s. Paid work carried out at home comes into many of these categories, and has been receiving attention because of the prevalence of low pay among home workers for the last 100 years. As consumer tastes change the actual work has changed, for example from making artificial flowers for hats to word processing. Allen and Wolkowitz (1987: 57) have argued that regardless of the task, working at home creates a situation where workers are vulnerable to exploitation. Contributing to this situation is the fact that they are isolated from other workers and may have taken this type of work because they have limited access to the job market.
Intracellular recording from visually identified motoneurons in rat spinal cord slices

Motoneurons were directly visualized with Nomarski optics in slices prepared from new born rat spinal cord. Intracellular recordings from these neurons showed spontaneous potentials, probably triggered by inter-neuronal activity. Action potentials could also be evoked by direct intracellular stimulation of the motoneurons. Iontophoretically applied L-glutamate caused a fast depolarization of the motoneuronal membrane. Considerable differences in local sensitivity to L-glutamate were found on the surface of the motoneuron.
Financing health care for adolescents: a necessary part of universal health coverage

Adolescents – defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as persons aged 10–19 years – account for 1.2 billion or 18% of the world’s population.1 Adolescence is a crucial phase in human development, with rapid psychosocial and biological changes and it is often a period of experimentation and risk-taking. Health-related behaviours – such as patterns of alcohol use – affect physical and cognitive development, which can have an effect on long-term health. All these factors have implications for the types of health interventions that adolescents need.2 However, little is known about the impact of health financing choices on adolescents, a group rarely mentioned in the ongoing discussions about universal health coverage. How health care is financed is an important element of achieving universal coverage. WHO’s health financing cube shows how to approach universal coverage (Fig. 1),3 which includes extension of coverage to more people, offering more services and reducing direct payments at the time of health service use. There are many ways to do this, but do they work for adolescents? Fig. 1 Three dimensions to consider when moving towards universal health coverage Here we show how an explicit focus on adolescents can be used to examine the extent to which a health financing system meets the needs of this group. Questions need to be asked about adolescent membership in a pooled funding scheme, the fees they have to pay, and the availability of specific services.
Can Genetically Engineered and Organic Crops Coexist

Can Genetically Engineered and Organic Crops Coexist? Catherine Greene and Katherine Smith JEL classification: Q01; Q13; Q57 Over the last decade, American consumers fueled a fast-growing market for organic food and U.S. farmers flocked to genetically engineered (GE) varieties of several major U.S. crops. The potential for GE crop production to impose costs on organic production, via accidental pollination and other mechanisms, underscores the problem of coexistence between GE and organic crops. Here we review evidence that consumer demand has led to markets for products differentiated on some basis of GE status, and that maintaining the integrity of those differentiated product markets relies on interventions such as physical distancing or product segregation. Further, at present, the costs required to support the coexistence of all markets is borne disproportionately by producers and consumers of organic food in the United States.
Imatinib Mesylate Inhibits CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cell Activity and Enhances Active Immunotherapy against BCR-ABL− Tumors1

Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec, STI571), a selective inhibitor of a restricted number of tyrosine kinases, has been effectively used for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemias and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Imatinib may also directly influence immune cells. Suppressive as well as stimulating effects of this drug on CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes or dendritic cells have been reported. In the current study, we have investigated the influence of imatinib mesylate on CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg), a critical population of lymphocytes that contributes to peripheral tolerance. Used at concentrations achieved clinically, imatinib impaired Treg immunosuppressive function and FoxP3 expression but not production of IL-10 and TGF-β in vitro. Imatinib significantly reduced the activation of the transcription factors STAT3 and STAT5 in Treg. Analysis of Treg TCR-induced signaling cascade indicated that imatinib inhibited phosphorylation of ZAP70 and LAT. Substantiating these observations, imatinib treatment of mice decreased Treg frequency and impaired their immunosuppressive function in vivo. Furthermore, imatinib mesylate significantly enhanced antitumor immune responses to dendritic cell-based immunization against an imatinib-resistant BCR-ABL negative lymphoma. The clinical applications of imatinib mesylate might thus be expanded with its use as a potent immunomodulatory agent targeting Treg in cancer immunotherapy.
Identification of genes expressed differentially in an in vitro human lung carcinogenesis model

Lung cancer is the deadliest among all cancers in the US for both men and women. Early detection of premalignant lesions or tumors appears to be a promising approach to reducing the morbidity and mortality from lung cancer because the survival of early stage lung cancer patients is better than that of patients with advanced cancers. We approached the identification of early biomarkers of human lung carcinogenesis, by combining the use of cDNA array and an in vitro human lung carcinogenesis model that consists of normal (NHBE), immortalized (BEAS-2B and 1799), transformed (1198) and tumorigenic (1170-I) human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. We hypothesized that certain genes that are expressed differentially among these cells can serve as both biomarkers for early detection and targets for intervention. Nineteen genes were down-regulated and six were up-regulated in tumorigenic 1170-I HBE cells compared to normal HBE cells (NHBE) using cDNA array. Down- regulated genes encode cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix adhesion-related proteins, calcium-binding proteins and some enzymes or growth factor-related proteins. The functions of up-regulated gene were more variable. Similar expression of selected genes was found in different non-small cell lung cancer cell lines analyzed by Northern blotting. Furthermore, the differential expression of some genes was also observed by in silico analysis of database of human lung tumors. The differentially expressed genes encode calcium-binding proteins and cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion proteins. Furthermore, Northern blotting analysis of RNA from different cell lines comprising an in vitro carcinogenesis model including normal, immortalized, transformed, and tumorigenic cells indicated that the expression of subsets of the identified genes changed at different stages of carcinogenesis. These data show that the in vitro carcinogenesis cell system could be useful for discovering potential biomarkers of early and late stages of lung carcinogenesis and targets for chemoprevention.
Managing Knowledge Workers for Change Management Dimensions

The knowledge economy requires a different contribution from human capital (i.e. knowledge workers). Knowledge workers are challenge seekers, have high enthusiasm for learning and prefer freedom and flexibility, so it would be wise to suggest that knowledge management should consider all these issues and try to provide opportunities to fulfill the current needs of knowledge workers in particular and the company in general. This paper aims to focus on how Knowledge Management practices, to make useful to change management. This study suggests that training was one of the most important factors for initiating knowledge management, together with support from the top management. Besides that, compensation and rewards, as expected, remain the preferred factors encouraging knowledge workers to share their knowledge and stay in the company. Therefore a more competitive compensation and rewards package should be offered specifically for workers, compensation packages that more fully appreciate knowledge workers’ knowledge and skills would be most welcomed. This may be become a key factor for change management adoption as one of the dimension. Keywords : Knowledge Management, Knowledge Worker, Change Management, Leadership, Innovative Knowledge
THE RELATIONSHIP OF HEADACHE FREQUENCY TO HORMONE USE IN MIGRAINE

THE association between intrinsic estrogen changes and Menstrual migraine was reported by Somerville.1 Others have reported a relationship of an increased incidence of vascular headache to the use of oral contraceptives.2,3,4,5 Many of these studies have been concerned with populations of birth control pill users. However, there is lacking definitive documentation of increased headache frequency associated with extrinisic estrogens in a migrainous population; although this relationship is generally observed by headache clinicians.
Technical efficiency of maize producing farmers in Arsi Negelle, central rift valley of Ethiopia: stochastic frontier approach.

The study was aimed at analysing the technical efficiency in maize production of smallholder farmers in central rift valley of Ethiopia. Cross sectional data from 138 maize producer farmers were collected during 2011/12 production season. The estimated results of the Cobb-Douglas frontier model with inefficiency variables shows that the mean technical efficiency of the farmers in the production of maize is 88 percent. This implies that maize producers can reduce current level of input application by 12 percent given the existing technological level. The discrepancy ratio gamma ( ), which measures the relative deviation of output from the frontier level due to inefficiency, was about 72.61 percent. This implies that about 66 percent of the variation in maize production (yield) among the sample respondents was attributed to technical inefficiency effects. The estimated stochastic production frontier (SPF) model also indicates that DAP fertilizer, Area, Labor, seed and oxen are significant determinants of maize production level. The estimated SPF model together with the inefficiency parameters shows that family size, frequency of extension contact, distance to market, access to credit and number of weeding significantly determine the efficiency level of the farmers in maize production in the study area. Hence, emphasis should be given to improve the efficiency level of those less efficient farmers by adopting the practices of relatively efficient farmers in the area so that they can be able to operate at the frontier. Because in the short run extension packages can be designed based on local practices of the bestpracticed farms in order to improve the productivity level of farmers producing maize.