Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inflation Mechanisms, Expectations and Monetary Policy - Overview

Inflation has been off-target for some time in many economies, both advanced and emerging (Graph 1). Whereas advanced economies (AEs) have mostly seen inflation below target, the experience among emerging market economies (EMEs) has been mixed. Inflation has been below target in several EMEs in Asia and central and eastern Europe, but above target in some Latin American economies as well as in Russia, South Africa and Turkey. Headline inflation and inflation targets1 In per cent Graph 1 AE = United Arab Emirates; AR = Argentina; BR = Brazil; CL = Chile; CN = China; CO = Colombia; HK = Hong Kong SAR; ID = Indonesia; IN = India; KR = Korea; MX = Mexico; MY = Malaysia; PE = Peru; PH = Philippines; PL = Poland; RU = Russia; SA = Saudi Arabia; SG = Singapore; TH = Thailand; TR = Turkey; ZA = South Africa. 1 Annual inflation rate as of June 2016; for Indonesia, Korea, Peru, Thailand and Turkey, July 2016. For Argentina, shown on the right-hand scale, the inflation rate is based on the consumer price index for the City of Buenos Aires. 2 For countries following an inflation targeting strategy. Sources: Datastream; national data; BIS calculations. This chapter reviews the recent experience of EMEs, drawing heavily on the BIS background notes and central bank contributions prepared for a meeting of EME Deputy Governors held in Basel on 28–29 January 2016 and collected in this volume. The first section discusses two major changes in international prices that influenced inflation in recent years: the drop in commodity prices and the appreciation of the US dollar. The second section takes a step back and looks at the inflation process, ie the dynamics of inflation and its response to shocks. The third section considers inflation expectations and the fourth draws conclusions for policy. Boxes 1 and 2 discuss the measurement of inflation and of inflation expectations, respectively. Full Publication: Inflation Mechanisms, Expectations and Monetary Policy
Shaping Issues: News Media Framing of Proof of Citizenship Requirements to Register to Vote

Author(s): Henderson, Ana Kathryn-Anne | Advisor(s): Luker, Kristin | Abstract: Voter eligibility in nearly every jurisdiction in the United States is limited to US citizens age 18 or over. In 1993, federal law established that citizenship and age eligibility are “proven” by an applicant swearing under penalty of perjury that she is citizen age 18 or over. In 2004, Arizona voters approved an initiative requiring documentary proof of citizenship in order to register. Four other states passed similar laws and an additional five states instituted administrative procedures to purge suspected non-citizens from their voter rolls. There is very little evidence of non-citizens voting, and in most of the few cases uncovered, non-citizens without intent to commit fraud. In addition, there is evidence that the laws in Arizona and Kansas prevented more than 50,000 people from registering to vote because their applications lacked proof of citizenship, and that administrative efforts to remove registered non-citizens mistakenly identified US citizens for removal. Nevertheless, the few public opinion polls available show public support for proof of citizenship requirements is high. This dissertation uses a content analysis of 181 news stories about non-citizen voting or proof of citizenship requirements to identify media frames used in news coverage of these issues. It finds that media coverage about non-citizen voting and proof of citizenship increased substantially after 2008 even though there was no increase in cases of non-citizen voting; this helped to raise visibility of the “problem. ” It identifies seven frames in support of proof of citizenship and seven frames in opposition and finds that news stories analyzed were more likely to use supporting frames than opposing frames. In addition, it finds that most stories analyzed employed a “he said/she said” style of reported consisting of repeating truth-claims from advocates for and against proof of citizenship. This style allowed political elites to present their partisan frames directly to the public, usually without interrogation into the factual basis of those claims. Moreover, reporting style had a significant impact on frames presented, with stories that used a “fact-checking” style far more likely to present frames that proof of citizenship was not necessary and would disenfranchise citizens. Finally, the analysis of two examples from the stories of “valence framing” – different but logically equivalent presentations of the same information – demonstrate how media frames can influence public perception.
Telomeric Transgenes Are Silenced in Adult Mouse Tissues and Embryo Fibroblasts but Are Expressed in Embryonic Stem Cells

In addition to their role in protecting the ends of chromosomes, telomeres also influence the expression of adjacent genes, a process called telomere‐position effect. We previously reported that the neo and HSV‐tk transgenes located adjacent to telomeres in mouse embryonic stem cells are initially expressed at low levels and then become gradually silenced upon passage in culture through a process involving DNA methylation. We also reported extensive DNA methylation in these telomeric transgenes in three different tissues isolated from mice generated from one of these embryonic stem cell clones. In the present study, we demonstrate that embryo fibroblasts isolated from two different mouse strains show extensive DNA methylation and silencing of the telomeric transgenes. Consistent with this observation, we also demonstrate little or no detectable expression of the HSV‐tk telomeric transgene in somatic tissues using whole body imaging. In contrast, both telomeric transgenes are expressed at low levels and have little DNA methylation in embryonic stem cell lines isolated from these same mouse strains. Our results demonstrate that telomere‐position effect in mammalian cells can be observed either as a low level of expression in embryonic stem cells in the preimplantation embryo or as complete silencing and DNA methylation in differentiated cells and somatic tissues. This pattern of expression of the telomeric transgenes demonstrates that subtelomeric regions, like much of the genome, are epigenetically reprogrammed in the preimplantation embryo, a process that has been proposed to be important in early embryonic development.
National parliaments and the new contentiousness of trade

Abstract Rather than becoming obsolete, national parliaments have come back obstinately in the politics of trade. This article develops this proposition and explores its contribution to the idea of twenty first-century trade as contentious market regulation. Contra the Lisbon Treaty, national parliaments’ assertion entrenches the role of domestic actors in the EU trade liberalisation policy, and fleshes out its multi-level parliamentary bases. We discuss the role, drivers, and patterns of parliamentary assertion and explore parliamentary assertion using preliminary survey and case study material. We find that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations represented the tipping-point of parliamentary assertion. Through interpretation and political engagement, national parliaments have forged a role for themselves that was unforeseen in the Lisbon Treaty: weighing in on the policy-making and the ratification processes. In Europe, parliamentary assertion reflected the twin impact of a changing global trade agenda and the centralisation of the EU trade policy regime.
Modulation of the expression of superoxide dismutase gene in lung injury by 2‐chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, a mustard analog

Mustard gas exposure causes inflammatory lung diseases. Many inflammatory lung diseases are associated with oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the maintenance of physiological functions. In tissues, it is therefore essential to maintain a steady‐state level of antioxidant activity to allow both for the physiological functions of ROS to proceed and at the same time preventing tissue damage. We have recently reported that mustard gas exposure decreases the overall activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). In the present study, we investigated the effects of mustard gas on each of the three isozymes: SOD‐1 (Cu/Zn), SOD‐2 (Mn), and SOD‐3 (extracellular). Adult guinea pigs were intratracheally injected single doses of 2‐chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) (2 mg/kg body weight) in ethanol. Control animals were injected with vehicle in the same way. The animals were sacrificed after 7 days, and lungs were removed after perfusion with physiological saline. Lung injury was established by measuring the leakage of iodinated‐BSA into lung tissue. Mustard gas exposure caused a significant increase in the activity of SOD‐1 (35%). However, the SOD‐3 activity which is the predominant type in lung was significantly decreased (62%), whereas no change was observed in SOD‐2 activity. Thus the decrease in the total activity of SOD was primarily due to the SOD‐3 isozyme. Northern blot analysis indicated 3.5‐fold increased expression of SOD‐1 in mustard gas exposed lung, but no significant change in the expression of SOD‐2 and SOD‐3 was observed. Mustard gas exposure did not cause mutation in the coding region of SOD‐1 gene while causing modulation in expression levels. The protein levels of SOD‐1, SOD‐2, and SOD‐3 were not altered significantly in the mustard gas exposed lung. Our results indicate that the overall decrease in the activity of SOD by mustard gas exposure is probably mediated by direct inactivation of the SOD‐3 gene or the enzyme itself. This decrease in the activity of SOD‐3 may be due to the cleavage of active form of the protein to an inactive form. The existence of active and inactive forms of SOD‐3 as a result of shifts in Cys–Cys disulfide bonding has been described in human, recently. Studies are underway in our laboratory to investigate whether mustard gas induced inactivation of SOD‐3 in lung is similarly mediated by a change in Cys–Cys disulfide bonding. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 20:142–149, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20128
Prebiotics and Oxidative Stress in Constipated Rats

Objectives: Constipation can adversely affect children's health, with disorders of host immunity and enhanced oxidative stress. As nondigestible carbohydrates, prebiotics can affect the host with constipation; however, whether the prebiotics have effects on the content of intestinal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in constipation has not been fully clarified. Methods: In the present study, constipation was induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats by diphenoxylate, and the prebiotics dissolved in milk were used as an intervention. The indicators of intestinal peristalsis, including the time of passing black stool initially, the grains of black stool in 24 hours, and the advance rate of ponceau, were measured. The content of intestinal sIgA was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The contents of SOD and MDA in serum and intestinal tissue were analyzed by their detection kits. Results: The changes in intestinal peristalsis show obvious constipation. The content of intestinal sIgA decreases, the content of SOD decreases, but the content of MDA increases in constipated rats. Prebiotics can attenuate the constipation-caused abnormal indicators significantly. Conclusions: Prebiotics can attenuate decreased intestinal immunity and enhanced oxidative stress, in addition to reduced intestinal peristalsis and of the constipated rats.
Validity of Cross-friction Algometry Procedure in Referred Muscle Pain Syndromes: Preliminary Results of a New Referred Pain Provocation Technique With the Aid of a Fischer Pressure Algometer in Patients With Nonspecific Low Back Pain

ObjectivesDeep cross-friction pressure with a finger or an elbow in the proximal gluteal region causes a sciaticlike pain along the side of the thigh and the leg as a clinical presence of referred pain (RP) in patients with nonspecific low back pain (LBP). This study investigated the reliability and discriminative ability of experimentally provoked RP as a result of deep cross-friction with the aid of a Fischer algometer. The new clinical examination method measures the provoked RP threshold resulting in an outcome, expressed in kg/cm2. MethodsForty two patients with subacute LBP (3 to 12 wk) participated in a prospective clinical trial. The outcome was assessed by means of the standard (perpendicular) pressure pain thresholds (PPT) measured with the aid of a Fischer algometer on both sides of the gluteus medius, the provoked RP pain thresholds (PPT-RP) at the location of the medial superior cluneal nerve, the Oswestry Disability Index , and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. The diagnostic criteria for the clinical presence of RP were determined by the patient on the pain chart drawings of the McGill Pain Questionnaire. The criteria for provoked RP were determined by means of PPT-RP with the aid of a Fischer algometer until the patient pointed out the RP zone in the thigh and/or the leg. ResultsThe interobserver reliability was sufficient for both sides with and without RP (intraclass correlation coefficient>0.97). The test-retest performed independently of the observers ranking, showed a perfect reliability of the PPT-RP measurements (intraclass correlation coefficient>0.98). The PPT-RP at the level of the medial superior cluneal nerve in the subgroup with a clinical presence of RP (N=20) was significantly higher (3.5 kg/cm2) than in the subgroup patients without RP (N=22). The correlation between the factor RP and the PPT-RP was high (R=0.91, P<0.001). The clinically important difference between provoked and clinical presence of RP was found to be higher or lower than 5.6 kg/cm2. The standard PPT measurement of the gluteus medius revealed no significant differences between the subgroups with and without RP. ConclusionsThis clinical study support the reliability and discriminative ability of a new method of experimentally provoked RP, using deep cross-friction pressure with the aid of a Fischer algometer in patients with LBP. The experimentally “provoked referred pain threshold” (PPT-RP) values lower than 6 kg/cm2 correspond clinically with the presence of a referred muscle pain area in the thigh and/or the leg. Further studies of a similar kind are nevertheless needed to confirm those conclusions and to assess the responsiveness of the provoked RP measurements in different treatment follow-up periods.
Caffeinated Energy Drinks/Energy Shots Among Young Adults

Produced by Communications and Marketing, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech, 2015 Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Interim Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg.
LDLR gene synonymous mutation c.1813C>T results in mRNA splicing variation in a kindred with familial hypercholesterolaemia

Familial hypercholesterolaemia, one of the most common inherited diseases in the general population, is associated with mutations in at least three different genes including the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein B (APOB) and protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) genes. In this report, we describe an unclassified DNA variant (c.1813C>T; p.Leu605Leu) within exon 12 of the LDLR gene in a kindred in which familial hypercholesterolaemia is associated with c.1813C>T heterozygosity. In silico analysis suggested that c.1813C>T might affect splicing of the LDLR gene by creating a cryptic donor splice site, which was confirmed by RT-PCR coupled with cDNA sequencing, to result in the loss of 34 base pairs in the coding sequence. The latter truncated mRNA is predicted to generate a frameshift leading to a premature stop at codon 652 and early termination of the low density lipoprotein receptor polypeptide chain, and thus provides a molecular basis for the hypercholesterolaemic phenotype. This case report highlights the emerging utility of RNA studies for the molecular diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia in patients with potential mRNA splicing variants.
The new positive inotrope sulmazole inhibits the function of guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins by affecting GTP turnover.

The effect of the new cardiotonic agent sulmazole on the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein-adenylate cyclase system was studied in rat adipocyte membranes. The inotrope enhanced basal adenylate cyclase activity by 46%. This stimulation occurred only at GTP concentrations (5 microM) sufficient to activate Gi. This stimulatory effect of sulmazole was abolished after functional inactivation of Gi, either by pertussis toxin or by using 10 nM GTP in the assay mixture, suggesting an important role of an active Gi in this process. Similarly, sulmazole enhanced isoproterenol-, forskolin-, and fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity by 33, 34, and 45%, respectively. However, when these latter experiments were performed after inactivation of Gi, sulmazole actually inhibited by approximately 25% adenylate cyclase activity stimulated by 1 and 10 microM isoproterenol. Under similar treatment conditions, enhancement of forskolin- and fluoride-stimulated activity by sulmazole was abolished. Sulmazole inhibited in a dose-dependent manner pertussis toxin- and cholera toxin-catalyzed labeling of Gi and Gs, respectively, with the respective inhibition observed at 100 microM of the inotrope being 29% and 56% of control. In addition, sulmazole inhibited PGE1 and isoproterenol-stimulated [3H]GDP release from Gi and Gs to 32% and 64% of control, respectively. Finally, the inotrope completely abolished PGE1-stimulated [3H]Gpp(NH)p binding with IC50 in the low micromolar range. These findings suggest that, whereas sulmazole inhibits the functioning of Gi and (to a lesser extent) Gs at low micromolar concentrations, expression of these effects on adenylate cyclase activity requires high micromolar to low millimolar concentrations of the drug. Thus, it appears sulmazole inhibits the function of Gi by decreasing its activation process, i.e., GTP-GDP exchange. Effects on Gs are manifested (at least in terms of adenylate cyclase activity) only after inactivation of Gi.
CORPORATE PROFILE, PERFORMANCE AND GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: A RESEARCH AGENDA

Purpose: To evaluate the universe of published articles that propose frameworks about the relationship between green supply chain management (GSCM) and performance in the period from 1995 to 2014, in order to propose a conceptual model that can be applied to future studies, considering the green profile besides the practices of GSCM and performance. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: The investigation revealed a lack of relationship among the organizations’ profile, its environmental, economic and operational performance and GSCM practices. Key methodological aspects: The relationship among constructs was established through bibliometric analysis obtained in the models/frameworks of GSCM practices and performance extracted from the databases “ProQuest”, “EBSCO”, “JSTOR”, “Web of Science” and “Scopus”. Further, the content analysis and network analysis were then performed. Summary of key results: GSCM internal and external practices, environmental performance, economic performance and operational performance were revealed as main topics addressed in GSCM. Moreover, it was noted that studies on internal practices prevailed over those addressed to other practices. Key considerations/conclusions: The models studied did not consider whether the corporate green profile could improve the performance of the organization. Therefore, they did not simultaneously measure environmental, economic and operational performance. It was concluded that the addition of the green profile in conjunction with GSCM practices and performance allows for a more in-depth analysis of the degree of a company’s involvement with GSCM, as well as its intended objectives and results achieved in the future. Corporate profile, performance and green supply chain management: a research agenda Mackenzie Management Review (REV. ADM. MACKENZIE – RAM), 18(3), 117-146 • SÃO PAULO, SP • MAY/JUN. 2017 ISSN 1678-6971 (electronic version) • http://dx.doi. org/10.1590/1678-69712017/administracao.v18n3p117-146 119
A model predictive control for a multi-axis piezo system: Development and experimental validation

This paper presents a Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategy for a triaxial piezoelectric actuators (PAs) system. PAs systems require appropriate controllers to guarantee fast and high-precision positioning performances avoiding effects of non-linearities. Typically, commercial systems provide integrated Proportional-Integral (PI) controllers guarantying to maintain system stability in the presence of uncertainty and disturbance. MPC owes its success to the ability of optimally regulate multivariable systems through the minimization of a Quadratic Programming (QP) problem subjected to prescribed constraints. Alternatively, unconstrained MPC eliminates constrains from the problem, reducing the number of operations elapsed to compute the solution. The aim of this work is to design an unconstrained MPC for a 3-DOF PA replacing PI controllers to improve control performances by a smaller increase of required computational effort. The system is described by a Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) Linear Time-Invariant (LTI) model, experimentally identified by the open-loop real plant response. Effectiveness of the proposed method is validated by simulation tests and experiments on the real system, comparing MPC with PI controllers tuned to guarantee common PA stability requirements.
Generation of human natural killer cells from peripheral blood CD34+ cells mobilized by granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor

We studied the generation of human natural killer (NK) cells from CD34+ cells that were isolated from peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) mobilized by granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF). The isolated CD34+ cells were cultured in the presence of a combination of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1α), IL‐2, and stem cell factor for 5 weeks without marrow stroma. We found that the CD34+ cells isolated from G‐CSF‐mobilized PBSC (G‐CSF/PBSC) could differentiate into a population of NK cells which were CD56+(bright)/CD3− and showed morphologic characteristics of large granular lymphocytes. Immunophenotypic analysis of the NK cells thus generated showed that a small proportion of them expressed CD2, CD8 and CD16 surface markers and approximately half of them coexpressed CD7. This NK population exhibited cytotoxic activity against a NK‐sensitive cell line, K562. These observations suggest that CD34+ cells from G‐CSF/PBSC contain precursors of NK cells that can differentiate into functional NK cells.