Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alemtuzumab in the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by CNS inflammation, demyelination and cellular damage with atrophy. Most patients with MS initially present with a relapsing–remitting course, with periodic episodes of neurologic symptomatology that do not follow a predictable pattern. In order to maintain a stable clinical course, it is felt to be important to control the number and severity of relapses, as disability, at least in part, is a cumulative effect of damage from multiple lesions within the brain and spinal cord. Historically, MS has not been considered curable, because the immune system could not be adequately normalized over the course of a lifetime. Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H; Campath®, Genzyme, MA, USA) has recently been investigated in a Phase II clinical trial in the treatment of relapsing–remitting MS. The results observed in the study are very encouraging and multiple insights have been made into the nature of autoimmunity in general based on the clinical response to this monoclonal antibody. Enrollment in two pivotal Phase III clinical trials of alemtuzumab in MS is now complete.
Systematic Influences on Teaching Evaluations: The Case for Caution

In this paper, we examine eight years of Quality of Teaching (QOT) responses from an Economics Department in an Australian University. This is done to determine what factors, besides the instructor, have an impact on the raw average student evaluation scores. Most of the previous research on student ratings has been conducted in the US. One significant difference between US and Australian tertiary education is that, on average, the number of foreign undergraduate students in Australia is ten times the number in US institutions. We find that cultural background significantly affects student evaluations. Other factors that have an influence on the average QOT score include: year level; enrolment size; the quantitative nature of the subject; the gender of the student; fee-paying status by gender; course of study; the differences between the course mark and previous marks; the quality of workbooks; the quality of textbooks; and the QOT score relative to those in other subjects taught at the same time. In addition, average QOT scores for instructors who have taught in a mix of subjects are similar to those based on scores adjusted to account for subject and student characteristics.
International Journal of Hospitality Management Trust and outsourcing: Do perceptions of trust inﬂuence the retention of outsourcing providers in the hospitality industry?

The global trend toward outsourcing necessitates unprecedented symbiosis between client-based organizations—purchasers of these services—and their multiple suppliers. Building on existing empirical work that suggests that the level of trust that exists between a purchaser and a supplier is fundamental in determining the strength of such a dyadic relationship, we examine how an organization’s outsourcing efforts can be inﬂuenced by trust, and how perceptions of trust inﬂuence buyer retention of outsourcing providers. The resulting causal model suggests that communication, benevolence, and trust are vital to developing and maintaining productive, enduring relationships between purchasers and suppliers. © 2011 reserved.
Risk Factors for Sexual Victimization Among Male and Female Homeless and Runaway Youth

Risk factors associated with the likelihood of being sexually victimized by a stranger or friend/acquaintance since being on the street was examined among 372 homeless and runaway youth. Young people were interviewed on the streets and in shelters by outreach workers using a systematic sampling strategy. Youth who engaged in more high-risk behaviors were expected to be at greater risk for sexual victimization by both known and unknown assailants. Results indicated that for females, running from home for the first time at an earlier age was associated with sexual victimization by both a stranger and friend/acquaintance. However, engaging in deviant subsistence strategies, survival sex, and grooming predicted being sexually victimized by a friend/acquaintance. For males, survival sex and grooming predicted stranger sexual victimization, whereas sexual orientation was associated with sexual victimization by a friend/acquaintance. Overall,35% of the sample had been sexually victimized.
The Southern Ocean’s Role in Carbon Exchange During the Last Deglaciation

A Drop in the Ocean The concentration of atmospheric CO2 rose by ∼80 parts per million (ppm), from ∼190 to 270 ppm, during the last deglaciation. It is widely believed that the primary source of that CO2 was the deep Southern Ocean. Burke and Robinson (p. 557, published online 15 December) present a 25,000-year-long record of the radiocarbon content of deep-sea corals collected from the Southern Ocean, which shows evidence of the 14C-depletion that must have accompanied CO2 sequestration. 14C depletion and ocean stratification ended between 15,000 and 14,000 years ago, in a manner consistent with the transfer of large amounts of CO2 from the deep Southern Ocean to the atmosphere. The observed 14C drop can explain the atmospheric CO2 rise between 17,500 and 14,500 years ago, adding support to the existing model of deglacial CO2 dynamics. Radiocarbon measurements of deep-sea corals reveal the presence of old, carbon-rich water in the Southern Ocean. Changes in the upwelling and degassing of carbon from the Southern Ocean form one of the leading hypotheses for the cause of glacial-interglacial changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide. We present a 25,000-year-long Southern Ocean radiocarbon record reconstructed from deep-sea corals, which shows radiocarbon-depleted waters during the glacial period and through the early deglaciation. This depletion and associated deep stratification disappeared by ~14.6 ka (thousand years ago), consistent with the transfer of carbon from the deep ocean to the surface ocean and atmosphere via a Southern Ocean ventilation event. Given this evidence for carbon exchange in the Southern Ocean, we show that existing deep-ocean radiocarbon records from the glacial period are sufficiently depleted to explain the ~190 per mil drop in atmospheric radiocarbon between ~17 and 14.5 ka.
Instant messaging in work-based virtual teams: the analysis of non-verbal communication used for the contextualisation of transactional and relational communicative goals

In this thesis, I use a multi-perspectival analytical approach to investigate the paralanguage of naturally occurring work-based Instant Message conversations. My research into the field of computer-mediated discourse analysis (CMDA) has shown that written non-verbal cues have been considered as important means of contextualising text-based computer-mediated communication (CMC), yet their scholarly treatment has been scant. Previous findings about the importance paralanguage in CMD have been further strengthened by the findings of the field of business communication: in the virtual work environment the lack of audio-visual information has been found to contribute to miscommunication and consequently hinder cooperation. The linguistic devices and discursive strategies that are used in order to compensate for the limitations imposed by the text-based communicative channel have therefore been identified as in need of further exploration. In this thesis, I have outlined a CMC cue system based on the previous findings of CMDA to investigate the range of cues used as non-verbal signals in workplace text- based CMC. I have also used a multi-perspectival approach based on the theoretical frameworks of interactional sociolinguistics, communities of practice, relational work and politeness and conversation analysis (CA) in order to investigate the range of interactional roles of paralanguage during computer-mediated business conversations. The interpretive CA-informed analysis I have conducted has provided evidence of the important role of non-verbal signals during the contextualisation of complex transactional and relational communicative goals in the workplace. The analysis in this thesis has provided two significant results: firstly, by incorporating the findings of research into paralanguage of spoken as well as other written genres it resulted in a comprehensive description of the orthographic and typographic non-verbal cues used in text-based CMC and, secondly, by drawing on the multi-perspectival framework, it allowed for a description of the complex interactional functions of these cues during the contextualisation of content and relational intent and the creation of interactional coherence in IM.
Global and National Factors Affecting E-Commerce Diffusion in Singapore

This article provides a broad overview of the likely global/regional contextual factors and unique national characteristics that influence e-commerce diffusion in Singapore. Our analysis suggests that Singapore is likely to be a very fast adopter of e-commerce applications that have relatively proven business models in other advanced countries. In particular, advanced manufacturing clusters in Singapore with strong global supply chain links to advanced countries (especially electronics), logistics and transportation services, and other global market-oriented, business-to-business (B2B) industries are likely to be the most aggressive in adopting e-commerce applications. In contrast, we predict that Singapore will be less likely to innovate new e-commerce technologies or pioneer revolutionary e-commerce applications with radical global impacts, due to the small local market and the inadequate development of an information and communications technologies (ICT) entrepreneurial community with extensive network links to Silicon Valley and other entrepreneurial hot spots. Singapore is also unlikely to be a leader in large-scale business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce applications and mass consumer contents publishing. Our review of government policy initiatives to promote e-commerce suggests that although they are by and large in the right direction, they are unlikely to have significant impact until proven e-commerce models have emerged and competitive pressure start to be felt by companies. A possible exception is "e-government" applications. In contrast, we identify a number of areas where government policy initiatives have been a bit slow, notably in liberalizing the telecommunications services sector and in promoting technology entrepreneurship. Our review of the available empirical evidence on recent e-commerce diffusion trend and pattern in Singapore appears to be consistent with this analysis.
Gaining from Rural Migrants: Migrant Employment Strategies and Socioeconomic Implications for Rural Labour Markets

Non-agricultural employment is expanding in many rural areas in Greece, while the agricultural sector is the main employer in a great deal of rural areas. Local labour markets are diverse although dependence on family farming, small-scale businesses, informal employment and tourist activities is constantly increasing. These developments have gradually reinforced the multifunctionality of rural areas and have brought about a demand for flexible labour power. Under these circumstances, the role of migrants has been fundamental for sustaining the multifunctional character of rural Greece, as they participate in every economic sector and their presence varies across sectors and geographical regions. Migrants should not only be conceived strictly as an agricultural labour force on the grounds that they seem to be highly mobile in rural areas. They should rather be considered more widely, as a rural labour force with multiple implications on Greek rural society and economy. The article is based on an empirical study carried out in three different localities in the Epirus region in northern Greece. On the basis of quantitative data, it analyses and interprets the multilateral, versatile impact of migrants on different rural localities. One major finding is that the contribution of migrants is crucial for the preservation of the multifunctional character of rural areas in Greece. However, migrant labour loses its collective identity by becoming increasingly individualised in its capacities, its employment conditions and its interests.
An Analysis of the Acquisition of Some Consumer Competencies Among Adolescents

Recent public policy discussions have focused on the role and influences of television, school, and family in teaching young people various desirable and undesirable consumer-related cognitions and behaviors. This research provides a theoretical and empirical basis useful in resolving such issues. The study examined the influences of television, family, school and peers on the acquisition of specific consumer skills that contribute to the individual's competency and proficiency as a consumer in the marketplace.
Gelatin induces trophectoderm differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells

In this study, we selected gelatin as ECM (extracellular matrix) to support differentiation of mES (mouse embryonic stem) cells into TE (trophectoderm), as gelatin was less expensive and widely used. We found that 0.2% and 1.5% gelatin were the suitable concentrations to induce TE differentiation by means of detecting Cdx2 expression using real‐time PCR. Moreover, about 15% cells were positive for Cdx2 staining after 6 days differentiation. We discovered that the expressions of specific markers for TE, such as Cdx2, Eomes, Hand1 and Esx1 were prominently increased after gelatin induction. Meanwhile, the expression of Oct4 was significantly decreased. We also found that inhibition of the BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) signalling by Noggin could promote mES cells differentiation into TE, whereas inhibition of the Wnt signalling by Dkk1 had the contrary effect. This could be used as a tool to study the differentiation and function of early trophoblasts as well as further elucidating the molecular mechanism during abnormal placental development.
The biomechanics of the T2 femoral nailing system: A comparison of synthetic femurs with finite element analysis

Abstract Intramedullary nails are commonly used to repair femoral fractures. Fractures in normal healthy bone often occur in the young during motor vehicle accidents. Although clinically beneficial, bone refracture and implant failure persist. Large variations in human femur quality and geometry have motivated recent experimental use of synthetic femurs that mimic human tissue and the development of increasingly sophisticated theoretical models. Four synthetic femurs were fitted with a T2 femoral nailing system (Stryker, Mahwah, New Jersey, USA). The femurs were not fractured in order to simulate post-operative perfect union. Six configurations were created: retrograde nail with standard locking (RS), retrograde nail with advanced locking ‘off’ (RA-off), retrograde nail with advanced locking ‘on’ (RA-on), antegrade nail with standard locking (AS), antegrade nail with advanced locking ‘off’ (AA-off), and antegrade nail with advanced locking ‘on’ (AA-on). Strain gauges were placed on the medial side of femurs. A 580 N axial load was applied, and the stiffness was measured. Strains were recorded and compared with results from a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model. Experimental axial stiffnesses for RA-off (771.3 N/mm) and RA-on (681.7 N/mm) were similar to intact human cadaveric femurs from previous literature (757 ± 264 N/mm). Conversely, experimental axial stiffnesses for AS (1168.8 N/mm), AA-off (1135.3 N/mm), AA-on (1152.1 N/mm), and RS (1294.0 N/mm) were similar to intact synthetic femurs from previous literature (1290 ± 30 N/mm). There was better agreement between experimental and FE analysis strains for RS (average percentage difference, 11.6 per cent), RA-on (average percentage difference, 11.1 per cent), AA-off (average percentage difference, 13.4 per cent), and AA-on (average percentage difference, 16.0 per cent), than for RA-off (average percentage difference, 33.5 per cent) and AS (average percentage difference, 32.6 per cent). FE analysis was more predictive of strains in the proximal and middle sections of the femur—nail construct than the distal. The results mimicked post-operative clinical stability at low static axial loads once fracture healing begins to occur.
STOCK RETURNS, MONEY SUPPLY AND THE DIRECTION OF CAUSALITY

FOR MANY YEARS, the economic impact of changes in the money supply has been debated in academia. Research by Brunner [3], Friedman and Schwartz [8], Tobin [28] and others has established that a relationship exists between changes in the supply of money and changes in the prices of other assets held in an investor's portfolio. ' It is generally agreed that an unexpected increase or decrease in the growth rate of money results in a change in the equilibrium position of money with respect to other assets in the portfolio of investors. As a result, investors try to adjust the proportion of their asset portfolios represented by money balances. Although investors can adjust, the system cannot since all money balances must be held. As a result, equilibrium is reestablished by changes in the price levels of the various asset categories.2 An important component in the asset portfolio of investors is the value of financial assets, including common stocks. It can be expected that adjustments in portfolios caused by changes in the monetary component will occur in this account as well as those accounts representing real goods and services. Since it also can be expected that the time response of investors may be delayed, it has been hypothe-
The Impact of Special Flood Hazard Area Designation on Residential Property Values

Floodplains in the United States are designated by the federal government as special flood hazard areas (SFHA). There is a dearth of published work on the effect of SFHA designation on property values in noncoastal areas. This research note addresses this lacuna by analyzing home sales prices in St. Louis County, Missouri. A hedonic model with correction for spatial autocorrelation indicates that being located in a SFHA reduces the value of a property by about 8.6%, including both direct and indirect effects. This information is relevant to ongoing policy discussions regarding weakened levee systems in the United States.
Reconsidering American interests in emerging market crises: An unanticipated outcome to the Asian financial crisis

ABSTRACT Foreign commercial and economic behaviour in emerging markets continues to be a contentious issue. This article reconsiders the claim that US actors leverage their influence at times of economic crisis to pry open developing markets to American business ownership. On the basis of a number of theoretical propositions and evidence from Korea and Thailand, the article argues that American government agencies and firms took several different directions after the Asian financial crisis, rather than exhibiting a coherent response. On the one hand, assertive US actions were taken to facilitate market opening in Korea and Thailand but on the other hand, US companies placed relatively little foreign investment in these countries. The interests of US actors are disaggregated in the article to demonstrate the importance of an autonomous Treasury Department and the separate but no less important activities of corporate restructuring specialists, such as investment banks. The outcome of the Asian crisis at the firm level is linked to new trends in US foreign investment, namely the rise of outsourcing and private equity funds, as well as the concentration of US ownership in services and science-based sectors. The article downplays the significance of European acquisitions in Asia concluding instead that the Asian crisis, in fact, re-affirmed specific strengths of US capital.
Bank interest margin management under partial privatization: an option-based valuation

Abstract Most bank privatization programs begin with a period of partial privatization in which the government remains the controlling owner. This paper examines the relationships among the degree of partial privatization, political interference, capital regulation, and the optimal bank interest margin. The bank’s interest margin is positively related to the degree of partial privatization when the bank stays in a relatively less risky state of the world and its capital stock increases through share issue privatization, positively to political interference when the bank stays in a relatively more risky state, and negatively to capital regulation when the bank stays in a relatively less risky state. The default risk in the bank’s equity return is negatively related to the degree of partial privatization when its capital stock increases through share issue privatization, positively to political interference and positively to capital regulation. Our findings provide alternatives for the evidence concerning the market value and variance in the bank’s profits under partial privatization.
Analysis of different cost allocation methods in a collaborative transport setting

In collaborative transport, dividing the total cost of the coalition between its different partners is a key issue. However, as each coalition has its own set of preferences and has partners with different characteristics, a cost allocation method suitable in all situations does not exist. In this paper, a set of cost allocation methods, some academic and some used in practice, are evaluated in different situations. We investigate how well these methods behave when partners have different characteristics, e.g., when one partner ships a much larger volume than the others, it is very likely that this partner does not agree to allocate costs according to the volume of each partner. We provide an overview of which cost allocation methods suffice in which situations, showing that a right cost allocation is highly dependent on the characteristics of the coalition.
Corporate Governance, Risk Disclosure Practices, and Market Liquidity: Comparative Evidence from the UK and Italy

Manuscript Type Empirical Research Question/Issue This paper examines the influence of corporate governance on risk disclosure practices in the UK and Italy and also studies the impact of those practices on market liquidity. Research Findings/Insights We find that governance factors principally influence the decisions of UK (Italian) firms over whether to exhibit risk information voluntarily (mandatorily) in their annual report narratives. When we distinguish between firms with strong and weak governance (in terms of board efficiency) in each country, we find that the factors that affect mandatory and voluntary risk disclosure appear to be driven more by strongly governed firms in both countries. Furthermore, strongly governed firms in the UK tend to provide more meaningful risk information to their investors than weakly governed firms. In Italy, however, we find that strongly rather than weakly governed firms exhibiting risk information voluntarily rather than mandatorily improves market liquidity significantly. Theoretical/Academic Implications This paper emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between mandatory and voluntary risk disclosure when studying the impact of corporate governance. Our findings differ across strongly and weakly governed firms, in terms of both the factors that influence risk disclosure practices and the exact informativeness of those practices. Practitioner/Policy Implications The results support the current regulatory trend in risk reporting within the UK that emphasizes the importance of directors and encourages rather than mandates risk disclosure. However, the results generally signal a need for further improvements in the Italian context. Our evidence also supports the value of the confidence in the UK governance system, compared to that in Italy, which motivates British firms to provide highly informative risk information more often than Italian firms.