Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The external finance premium in the UK : a small open economy DSGE model with an empirical indirect inference assessment

The thesis investigates to what extent external finance premium channels by amplifying the business cycle account for the economy turndown in the UK. It builds a DSGE model follows Smets and Woulters (2007), extends to incorprorate with the Bernanke Gertler and Gilchrist (1999) financial accelerator mechanisms and adjusts for an Armington (1969) version small open economy. We evaluate the model based on the calibration and re-estimate the model by Indirect Inference method using un-filtered nonstationary data in the period of 1975Q1 to 2015Q4 under the inflation targeting monetary policy regime. Although the model captures the counter cyclical feature of external finance premium proposed in most of the literatures, external finance premium shocks on the financial sector do not play a dominant role in explaining a recession. The main dominant effects of output fluctuations are still coming from the non-financial shocks, in particular, the non-stationary productivity shock and the labour supply shock.
Role of wake-promoting basal forebrain and adenosinergic mechanisms in sleep-promoting effects of ethanol.

BACKGROUND Ethanol intake has significant impact on sleep. However, the cellular substrates responsible for sleep promotion following ethanol intake are unknown. The purine nucleoside, adenosine, is responsible for mediating many neuronal and behavioral responses to ethanol. Studies performed in cell cultures suggest that ethanol inhibits equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 to block the reuptake of adenosine resulting in increased extracellular adenosine. Adenosine also has a pivotal role in sleep regulation. Adenosine acts via A1 receptor to inhibit the wake-promoting neurons of the basal forebrain (BF) resulting in the promotion of sleep. Is ethanol-induced sleep associated with the inhibition of the BF wake-promoting neurons? Do adenosinergic mechanisms in the BF have a role in sleep-promoting effects of ethanol? METHODS To address these questions, we performed 3 experiments in Sprague-Dawley rats. First, we verified the effect of ethanol on sleep promotion. Second, we evaluated the effect of ethanol on c-Fos expression (a marker of neuronal activation) in the BF wake-promoting neurons and third we monitored the effects of A1 receptor blockade in the BF on ethanol-induced sleep. RESULTS Significant increase in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep with a concomitant decrease in wakefulness was observed during the first 12 hours postethanol. REM sleep remained unaffected. Ethanol administration caused a significant decrease in the number of BF wake-promoting neurons with c-Fos immunoreactivity. Bilateral microinjections of a selective A1R receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1, 3-dipropylxanthine into the BF significantly attenuated sleep-promoting effects of ethanol. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the inhibition of BF wake-promoting neurons by adenosinergic mechanism may be responsible for the sleep promoting effects of ethanol. We believe our study is the first to investigate the cellular mechanisms responsible for the somnogenic effects of ethanol.
Central corneal thickness in a healthy Spanish population ☆

Objective: To study the central corneal thickness of a Spanish population group and determine the influence of age, gender, axial length and refractive error on central corneal thickness (CCT) values. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, double masked study was conducted on 357 eyes of consecutive Caucasian patients without ophthalmic disease. They were distributed according to age, and high refractive defects were excluded. Ultrasonic pachymetry and a complete eye examination were performed on all patients. The relationship between the central corneal thickness values and variables of age, refractive error, axial length and gender was assessed. Results: The mean central corneal thickness was 548.21 μm with a standard deviation (SD) of 30.7 μm (range 464 to 633 μm). The normal central corneal thickness value of the population studied was 486.81 to 609.61 μm (95% confidence interval). No statistical association was found between central corneal thickness values and variables of age, refractive error, axial
Polymorphic Secreted Kinases Are Key Virulence Factors in Toxoplasmosis

The majority of known Toxoplasma gondii isolates from Europe and North America belong to three clonal lines that differ dramatically in their virulence, depending on the host. To identify the responsible genes, we mapped virulence in F1 progeny derived from crosses between type II and type III strains, which we introduced into mice. Five virulence (VIR) loci were thus identified, and for two of these, genetic complementation showed that a predicted protein kinase (ROP18 and ROP16, respectively) is the key molecule. Both are hypervariable rhoptry proteins that are secreted into the host cell upon invasion. These results suggest that secreted kinases unique to the Apicomplexa are crucial in the host-pathogen interaction.
Frente a la enigmática realidad: Juan Benet y el articulismo de opinión

ABSTRACT Juan Benet’s image as a public intellectual in Spain during the final years of the Franco Regime and the transition to democracy is due in large part to his collaboration in the opinion section of the El País, the daily national that sympathized with this political process. The present study will center on how Benet as a writer of literary texts addresses similar aesthetic concerns in his newspaper writings. It will be shown that a large part of his columns, published in El País over two decades, focuses on the mysterious condition of the surrounding world. As in his fiction, Benet writes opinion pieces to explore the enigmatic and unexplainable nature of reality. In this fashion, as public intellectual, the author employs a national forum to address his readers while presenting his unique vision of a world shrouded in mystery and uncertainty.
Preclinical investigations of intravitreal ziv-aflibercept.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To investigate the retinal safety of intravitreal (IVT) ziv-aflibercept in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighteen rabbits were given an IVT injection of ziv-aflibercept (25 mg/mL) or aflibercept (40 mg/mL) and examined by funduscopy, electroretinography (ERG), optical coherence tomography (OCT), light microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Serum, aqueous, and vitreous were obtained afterward for osmolarity analysis. The effect of ziv-aflibercept on human retinal cultured cells (ARPE-19) was assessed by the MTT cell viability assay. RESULTS All eyes showed normal funduscopy, OCT, and ERG findings at baseline and 24 hours or 7 days after the procedure. Median baseline serum, vitreous, and aqueous osmolarity remained unchanged. Histology and TEM showed no major anatomic signs of toxicity. No cytotoxic effect was observed in ARPE-19 cells exposed to ziv-aflibercept. CONCLUSION IVT injection ziv-aflibercept at a concentration of 25 mg/mL proved to be safe for the rabbit retina.
Effects of milk protein loci on first lactation production in dairy cattle.

A total of 920 cows of Holstein-based H line, Ayrshire-based A line, and cross-bred C line between H and A lines was used to determine the genotypic and gene frequencies of milk protein types and to study the relationships of milk protein loci to first lactation yields. Effects of milk protein loci on first lactation performance were examined using classification and gene substitution models. Gene frequencies at the five milk protein loci studied were similar to those reported in the literature. Gene substitution at alpha s1-casein locus showed the greatest effects on first lactation yields compared to those at other milk protein loci. Unfortunately, the favorable B allele at this locus is almost fixed (the frequency of the B allele = .955), a result of long-term selection for high milk production in dairy cattle. The extremely high frequency of a favorable allele at the alpha s1-casein locus imposes a limitation for further genetic improvement at this locus unless a more favorable mutation can be induced. Although favorable alleles at beta-casein, kappa-casein, and beta-lactoglobulin loci exerted smaller effects on first lactation performance than those at the alpha s1-casein locus, their moderate frequencies in the current population can be raised to improve lactation yields through milk protein typing. The combined contribution of the four milk protein loci accounted for 8.9% of phenotypic variance in milk yield, 8.6% in protein yield, ad 5.0% in fat yield.
Fatalistic Beliefs About Cancer Prevention Among Older African American Men

Objectives: Evidence suggests that minority groups are more likely to exhibit fatalistic beliefs about cancer prevention (FBCP), which are defined as confusion, pessimism, and helplessness about one’s ability to prevent cancer. This study examines the socioeconomic and psychosocial predictors of FBCP among older African American men (AAM). Methods: AAM (N = 1,666) enrolled in Medicare and participating in a longitudinal study on patient navigation were surveyed. Measures included three FBCP constructs, namely demographic items and physical and mental health variables. Binary logistic regression was performed. Results: The average participant was 73.6 years old; 76.5% felt helpless, 44.2% were confused, and 40.7% were pessimistic about the ability to prevent cancer. As education increased, so did all three FBCP. Being downhearted was predictive of confused and helpless beliefs. Discussion: It is critical for health practitioners to understand how psychosocial and economic challenges influence beliefs that may impede cancer prevention efforts for older AAM.
Effects of vacuum sealing drainage on the treatment of cranial bone-exposed wounds in rabbits

This study was designed to assess the efficacy of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) on skull exposure wounds in rabbits and to investigate the underlying mechanism of the process. Full-thickness excisional circular wounds 2×2 cm with or without periosteum involvement were created in 88 New Zealand white rabbits (mean body weight: 3.0±0.65 kg). Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups: periosteum-intact wounds treated with traditional dressing (p+control), periosteum-intact wounds treated with VSD (p+VSD), periosteum-lacking wounds treated with traditional dressing (p–control) and periosteum-lacking wounds treated with VSD (p–VSD). The wounds treated with traditional dressing were covered with Vaseline gauze, while VSD treatment was accompanied with continuous –120 mmHg pressure. Finally, wound tissues were harvested for analysis of hydroxyproline content and histologic detection. VSD hastened the wound healing process significantly (P<0.05) compared to the corresponding control groups. VSD alleviated the inflammation reaction, accelerated re-epithelialization and facilitated the organization of collagen fibers into neat rows. During the wound healing process, the hydroxyproline content increased overtime [i.e., postoperative days (POD) 7, POD 10 and POD 15] in all four groups, and it peaked in the p+VSD group. VSD also promoted angiogenesis via increasing number and quality of collagen. We concluded that VSD can promote healing in bone-exposed wounds via increasing hydroxyproline content and vessel density, reducing inflammatory responses and generating ordered collagen arrangement.
POWER PERFORMANCE OF SOCCER REFEREES BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER OFFICIAL MATCHES

The study aimed at verifying the effect of soccer refereeing on power performances, evaluated by means of counter- movement (CMJ) and bounce (BJ) jumps. Ten soccer referees (age 23 = 3 years; &OV0622;O2max 51.8 = 3.2 ml·kg−1·min−1) participated in this study. The physical load of refereeing was evaluated by means of subject's heart rate (HR), motor activities recorded during the match, and blood lactate measured at the end of the 2 halves. Analysis of variance and chi-square tested the differences between halves (p ≤ 0.05). During the first half, the occurrence of subject's HR ≥ 85%HRmax was 62 ± 31%, and it significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased to 45 ± 24% during the second half. Referees spent 41 ± 5% running, 44 ± 6% walking, and 15 ± 5% inactivity, with no significant differences between halves. Blood lactate was significantly different only between warm-up (2.0 ± 0.4 mM) and first half (4.7 ± 2.9 mM). No significant difference emerged for CMJ and BJ after the 2 halves, demonstrating that young referees with acceptable fitness levels are able to maintain their all-out capabilities during the whole match.
Profound Infantile Neuroretinal Dysfunction in a Heterozygote for the CLN3 Genetic Defect

The neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses are a group of diseases that are characterized by progressive neuroretinal symptomatology, progressive accumulation of autofluorescing waxy lipopigments (ceroid-lipofuscin) within the brain and other tissues, and cerebral atrophy. Juvenile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis, or Batten disease, is a form of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis that is characterized by onset of neuroretinal symptoms between 4 and 10 years. Juvenile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis is the most common type of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis in the United States and Europe and is inherited as an autosomal recessive genetic disorder. Research in the last decade has led to the identification of the responsible gene for juvenile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis, which is designated as CLN3. CLN3 is located on chromosome 16p11.2-12.1. The major mutation is a 1.02 kb deletion, which removes exons 7 and 8. Both homozygotic and heterozygotic deletions at the CLN3 gene site have been associated with the clinical syndromes of juvenile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis. We report a possible atypical case of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis, an infant, who presented at 5 months of age with a lack of developmental milestones, poor vision, severe retinopathy, intractable seizures, and progressive cerebral atrophy. Extensive laboratory investigations, including thorough metabolic evaluations, were unremarkable except for neuroimaging studies, electroencephalography, and electroretinography, all of which showed abnormalities confirming both cerebral and retinal degeneration. Although skin and conjunctival biopsies did not show classic fingerprint cytosomes by electron microscopic study, which characterize juvenile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis, a diagnosis of an atypical form of juvenile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis was suspected on the basis of the clinical picture. The retinal abnormalities, surprisingly, were those believed to be diagnostic of juvenile-onset neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis, or Batten disease. Subsequently, a heterozygous mutation for the common 1.02 kb deletion characteristic of juvenile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis was established. (J Child Neurol 2004;19:42—46).
On the origin of smallpox: Correlating variola phylogenics with historical smallpox records

Human disease likely attributable to variola virus (VARV), the etiologic agent of smallpox, has been reported in human populations for >2,000 years. VARV is unique among orthopoxviruses in that it is an exclusively human pathogen. Because VARV has a large, slowly evolving DNA genome, we were able to construct a robust phylogeny of VARV by analyzing concatenated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from genome sequences of 47 VARV isolates with broad geographic distributions. Our results show two primary VARV clades, which likely diverged from an ancestral African rodent-borne variola-like virus either ≈16,000 or ≈68,000 years before present (YBP), depending on which historical records (East Asian or African) are used to calibrate the molecular clock. One primary clade was represented by the Asian VARV major strains, the more clinically severe form of smallpox, which spread from Asia either 400 or 1,600 YBP. Another primary clade included both alastrim minor, a phenotypically mild smallpox described from the American continents, and isolates from West Africa. This clade diverged from an ancestral VARV either 1,400 or 6,300 YBP, and then further diverged into two subclades at least 800 YBP. All of these analyses indicate that the divergence of alastrim and variola major occurred earlier than previously believed.
Pleiotropic drug resistance and survival advantage in leukemic cells with diminished apoptotic response

Cell line R9 generated by continuous exposure of MOLT‐4 cells to adriamycin was cross‐resistant to a variety of unrelated drugs. The following data indicate that diminished apoptotic response was the mechanism of acquired pleiotropic drug resistance: (i) apoptosis was a common mechanism of cell death for agents expressing cross‐resistance; (ii) induction of apoptosis by drugs, medium depletion and serum deprivation was decreased in R9 cells; (iii) DNA degradation in apoptotic cells was lower in resistant lines, probably reflecting, a modification of apoptotic pathway in resistant cells; (iv) inhibition of cell division and DNA synthesis by drugs was similar in sensitive and resistant cells. These data indicated a similar level of initial damage, as typical for resistance based on modified apoptotic response. There was no difference inbcl‐2 protein level between sensitive and resistant cells. Thus acquired pleiotropic resistance and diminished apoptotic response in R9 cells were induced by a bcl‐2‐independent mechanism. Surface T‐cell antigen CD4 was expressed in MOLT‐4 and lost in R9 cells. The role of CD4 down‐regulation in apoptosis‐related drug resistance remains to be explored. The association between acquired pleiotropic drug resistance and increased survival capacity in unfavorable growth conditions indicated that drug‐induced selection of cells with diminished apoptotic response may stimulate neoplastic progression. Alkylating agents induced similar cytotoxicity and only slightly lower apoptosis in R9 cells in comparison with MOLT‐4 cells. Our data show that some drugs may overcome acquired pleiotropic drug resistance based on the modified apoptotic pathway.
Runx3‐regulated expression of two Ntrk3 transcript variants in dorsal root ganglion neurons

Somatosensation is divided into proprioception and cutaneous sensation. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons project their fibers toward peripheral targets including muscles and skin, and centrally to the spinal cord. Proprioceptive DRG neurons transmit information from muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs to the spinal cord. We previously showed that Runt‐related transcription factor 3 (Runx3) is expressed in these neurons and their projections to the ventral spinal cord and muscle spindles are lost in Runx3‐deficient (Runx3−/−) mouse embryos. Although Runx3 is likely to contribute to the fate decision and projection of proprioceptive DRG neurons, the precise roles for Runx3 in these phenomena are unknown. To identify genes regulated by Runx3 in embryonic DRGs, we performed microarray analyses using cDNAs isolated from wild‐type and Runx3−/− DRGs of embryonic day (E) 12.5 and selected two transcript variants of the tyrosine kinase receptor C (TrkC) gene. These variants, Ntrk3 variant 1 (Ntrk3‐v1) and variant 2 (Ntrk3‐v2), encode full‐length and truncated receptors of neurotrophin‐3, respectively. Using double in situ hybridization, we found that most of Ntrk3‐v1 mRNA expression in E14.5 DRGs depended on Runx3 but that more than half of Ntrk3‐v2 mRNA one were expressed in a Runx3‐independent manner. Furthermore, our data revealed that the rate of Ntrk3‐v1 and Ntrk3‐v2 colocalization in DRGs changed from E14.5 to E18.5. Together, our data suggest that Runx3 may play a crucial role in the development of DRGs by regulating the expression of Ntrk3 variants and that DRG neurons expressing Ntrk3‐v1 but not Ntrk3‐v2 may differentiate into proprioceptive ones. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 76: 313–322, 2016
Role of plant volatiles and hetero-specific pheromone components in the wind tunnel response of male Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to modified sex pheromone blends

Abstract Female Grapholita molesta (Busck) release a pheromone blend composed of two stereoisomeric acetates (Z8-12:Ac and E8-12:Ac), which in a 100:6 ratio stimulate maximum conspecific male approach. Z8-12:OH is described as a third pheromone component that increases responses to the acetate blend. Departures from the optimal pheromone blend ratio, or too high or low pheromone doses of the optimal blend ratio, result in lower male response. In a previous study, we show that plant volatiles synergize male response to a suboptimal-low pheromone concentration. In the present study, we show that the plant blend does not synergize male response to a suboptimal-high pheromone dose. The plant blend, however, synergized male response to pheromone blends containing unnatural Z:E-acetate isomer ratios. We revisited the role of alcohols in the pheromone response of G. molesta by replacing Z8-12:OH with conspecific and heterospecific pheromone alcohols or with plant odors. Codlemone, the alcohol sex pheromone of Cydia pomonella L. , E8, E10-12:OH, did supplant the role of Z8-12:OH, and so did the plant volatile blend. Dodecenol (12:OH), which has been described as a fourth pheromone component of G. molesta, also increased responses, but not as much as Z8-12:OH, codlemone or the plant blend. Our results reveal new functions for plant volatiles on moth sex pheromone response under laboratory conditions, and shed new light on the role of alcohol ingredients in the pheromone blend of G. molesta.
Calculating Values, Changing Organizations: Governance Rankings and the Transmission of Institutional Logics

In a world where the actions of firms have profound consequences, and in which existing corporate norms frequently have controversial impacts on the broader society, the issue of transforming corporate institutions is of increasing importance. What mechanisms allow reforms to be proposed, understood, accepted and eventually adopted throughout an organizational field? How do practices which diverge markedly from prior norms become both acceptable and widely imitated? There is an accelerating use of social movement theory and organization theory to understand and explain campaigns for social change and corporate responses. In this study, I explore the influence of governance activists on the norms of corporate governance in Canada. In the years immediately after the introduction of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the United States, Canadian governance activists began to advocate a new model of the role of corporate boards. They wished to strengthen the independence of board from management, and their model quickly became normative. Institutions changed swiftly and unmistakably. This setting provides an opportunity to investigate the means by which institutional entrepreneurs introduce new practices to an organizational field, how the practices they advocate acquire value, and the conditions under which new practices are integrated into the decision-making processes