The Effects of the Food Reserve Agency on Maize Market Prices in Zambia

This policy synthesis estimates the effects of the Zambia Food Reserve Agency’s (FRA) activities on maize market prices in the country. The FRA, a government parastatal strategic food reserve/maize marketing board, buys maize at a pan-territorial price that typically exceeds wholesale market prices in major maize producing areas. It then exports the maize or sells it domestically at prices determined by tender, at auction, or administratively. In deficit production years, the Agency often imports maize and sells it to select large-scale millers at below-market prices.Zambia, Maize, Food Security, Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Security and Poverty,

A Convex Polynomial Force-Motion Model for Planar Sliding: Identification and Application

We propose a polynomial force-motion model for planar sliding. The set of generalized friction loads is the 1-sublevel set of a polynomial whose gradient directions correspond to generalized velocities. Additionally, the polynomial is confined to be convex even-degree homogeneous in order to obey the maximum work inequality, symmetry, shape invariance in scale, and fast invertibility. We present a simple and statistically-efficient model identification procedure using a sum-of-squares convex relaxation. Simulation and robotic experiments validate the accuracy and efficiency of our approach. We also show practical applications of our model including stable pushing of objects and free sliding dynamic simulations.Comment: 2016 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA

Reducing Recidivism Rates: Teen Court Solution in Kankakee County

The topic selected for this research is Teen Court, also referred to as Peer Court or Youth Court. The researcher attempts to determine the effects teen diversion programs, such as Teen Court, have on reducing the rate of recidivism during one’s adolescent years. This approach uses a peer court system to hold them accountable for their actions. Teen court works, because it has peers influencing peers, versus another adult telling youths what they should do” (Garrett, 2009, p. 50). With a focus on past Teen Court participants and Teen Court personnel in Kankakee County, Illinois, the results from this study may help others to understand why this alternative to traditional juvenile court services has shown to be more successful in preventing future criminal activities. In addition to drastically reducing the recidivism rates for juveniles, Teen Court is an extremely cost-effective method. The results from this concurrent mixed-methods study revealed the reasons why Teen Court is successful in reducing juvenile recidivism rates: youth avoid a criminal record, peer sanctioning is perceived as fair, and the program is more cost-effective. This study took place in Kankakee County, Illinois in the participant’s residences or at the Kankakee County Courthouse

The effect of interleukin-13 (IL-13) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) on expression of surfactant proteins in adult human alveolar type II cells in vitro

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Surfactant proteins are produced predominantly by alveolar type II (ATII) cells, and the expression of these proteins can be altered by cytokines and growth factors. Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance is suggested to be important in the pathogenesis of several adult lung diseases. Recently, we developed a culture system for maintaining differentiated adult human ATII cells. Therefore, we sought to determine the effects of IL-13 and IFN-γ on the expression of surfactant proteins in adult human ATII cells <it>in vitro</it>. Additional studies were done with rat ATII cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Adult human ATII cells were isolated from deidentified organ donors whose lungs were not suitable for transplantation and donated for medical research. The cells were cultured on a mixture of Matrigel and rat-tail collagen for 8 d with differentiation factors and human recombinant IL-13 or IFN-γ.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>IL-13 reduced the mRNA and protein levels of surfactant protein (SP)-C, whereas IFN-γ increased the mRNA level of SP-C and proSP-C protein but not mature SP-C. Neither cytokine changed the mRNA level of SP-B but IFN-γ slightly decreased mature SP-B. IFN-γ reduced the level of the active form of cathepsin H. IL-13 also reduced the mRNA and protein levels of SP-D, whereas IFN-γ increased both mRNA and protein levels of SP-D. IL-13 did not alter SP-A, but IFN-γ slightly increased the mRNA levels of SP-A.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We demonstrated that IL-13 and IFN-γ altered the expression of surfactant proteins in human adult ATII cells <it>in vitro</it>. IL-13 decreased SP-C and SP-D in human ATII cells, whereas IFN-γ had the opposite effect. The protein levels of mature SP-B were decreased by IFN-γ treatment, likely due to the reduction in active form cathpesin H. Similarly, the active form of cathepsin H was relatively insufficient to fully process proSP-C as IFN-γ increased the mRNA levels for SP-C and proSP-C protein, but there was no increase in mature SP-C. These observations suggest that in disease states with an overexpression of IL-13, there would be some deficiency in mature SP-C and SP-D. In disease states with an excess of IFN-γ or therapy with IFN-γ, these data suggest that there might be incomplete processing of SP-B and SP-C.</p

HIV/AIDS and Agrarian Livelihoods in Zambia: a Test of the New Variant Famine Hypothesis.

1. Consistent with the New Variant Famine (NVF) hypothesis, the negative impact of drought on crop output and output per hectare is further exacerbated where HIV prevalence rates are relatively high, particularly in the low- and medium rainfall zones of the country (agro-ecological regions I and II). 2. HIV prevalence rates and AIDS-related mortality rates in Zambia are highest in the lowest rainfall and most drought-prone zone of the country (agro-ecological region I). 3. Only for districts in agro-ecological region I do we find evidence of a robust negative effect of HIV/AIDS on agrarian livelihood indicators. Relatively stable food production zones and/or areas with relatively low HIV prevalence rates appear to be less vulnerable to the adverse effects predicted by the NVF hypothesis, which suggests that HIV/AIDS exacerbates the effects of drought and other shocks on agrarian communities. 4. HIV/AIDS reduces the crop production gains associated with fertilizer subsidy increases in the highest rainfall areas. 5. Increases in the percentage of female-headed households in a district are related to declines in agricultural production indicators, but these effects do not appear to worsen when the HIV/AIDS epidemic is severe. 6. Only in districts whose borders encompass both agro-ecological regions II and III do we consistently find weak evidence that HIV/AIDS reduces the contribution of productive assets to crop output and output per unit of land as would be expected under the NVF hypothesis.food security, food policy, Zambia, HIV/AIDS, Food Security and Poverty, Health Economics and Policy, Q20,

Regulatory mechanisms of surfactant secretion

AbstractSurfactant secretion is a critical regulated process in the metabolism of pulmonary surfactant. Presumably, because this process is vital to the survival of the organism, there are several independent pathways for stimulating secretion which work through different cell surface receptors and signaling mechanisms. In addition, there is apparent homeostatic regulation in that two components of surfactant, namely SP-A and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, can inhibit secretion. Although secretion of surfactant has been studied for over two decades, there remains some important issues to be resolved. In vivo secretion can be stimulated by hyperventilation or even a single large breath. However, we do not know the biochemical mechanism for this physiologically important form of stimulation. In vitro, we know many of the proximal events in signaling, but we do not know how the lamellar bodies move within a cell or the docking mechanism at the plasma membrane. Many investigators have demonstrated that SP-A will inhibit secretion in vitro, but the mechanism is not known. Finally, there is a route of secretion of SP-A independent of lamellar bodies, but we do not know details of this pathway nor its regulation

Electrodynamics of Amorphous Media at Low Temperatures

Amorphous solids exhibit intrinsic, local structural transitions, that give rise to the well known quantum-mechanical two-level systems at low temperatures. We explain the microscopic origin of the electric dipole moment of these two-level systems: The dipole emerges as a result of polarization fluctuations between near degenerate local configurations, which have nearly frozen in at the glass transition. An estimate of the dipole's magnitude, based on the random first order transition theory, is obtained and is found to be consistent with experiment. The interaction between the dipoles is estimated and is shown to contribute significantly to the Gr\"{u}neisen parameter anomaly in low $T$ glasses. In completely amorphous media, the dipole moments are expected to be modest in size despite their collective origin. In partially crystalline materials, however, very large dipoles may arise, possibly explaining the findings of Bauer and Kador, J. Chem. Phys. {\bf 118}, 9069 (2003).Comment: Submitted for publication; April 27, 2005 versio

Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy due to impacted dental plate in the thoracic oesophagus: case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Retained oesophageal foreign bodies must be urgently removed to prevent potentially serious complications. Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy is rare and has not been reported in association with a foreign body in the thoracic oesophagus.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present a case of a dental plate in the thoracic oesophagus that caused high dysphagia. Delayed diagnosis led to a recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, which persisted despite successful surgical removal of the foreign body.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Oesophagoscopy is essential to fully assess patients with persistent symptoms after foreign body ingestion, irrespective of the level of dysphagia. Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy may indicate impending perforation and should prompt urgent evaluation and treatment.</p