Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organizing Women

This article examines the intersection of gender and union strategies and how that has played out in labor’s continued efforts at revitalization through organizing. Using a combination of macro Bureau of Labor Statistics and National Labor Relations Board data along with findings from an in-depth survey of 412 National Labor Relations Board election campaigns, the research examines the impact of company characteristics, bargaining union demographics, and employer and union tactics across bargaining in units where women predominate, in mixed units, and in units where men predominate. The article concludes that although women continue to make up the majority of new workers being organized (despite some notable exceptions), most unions organizing women workers continue to run fairly weak ineffectual campaigns. Women also remain seriously underrepresented in staff and leadership positions in most unions. Most important, there are entire sectors, such as finance and insurance and much of the retail sector, where women predominate but have been almost untouched by organizing.
Effects of ligation and reperfusion of hepatic afferent vessels on the composition of liver cell membranes in the rat: 1H‐ and 31P‐magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis

Biochemical changes that occur within hepatic tissue of the rat during ischemia and subsequent reperfusion were investigated using magnetic resonance spectroscopy of liver extracts. Hepatic ischemia was produced in the rat by a continuous clamping of the left branches of the hepatic artery and portal vein. In the reperfusion experiments, the vascular clamps were released after 30 or 120 min of ischemic periods. At the end of the periods of ischemia and/or reperfusion, the left and middle hepatic lobes were dissected and processed for subsequent 1H‐MRS and 31P‐MRS analyses. Phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, phosphatidic acid and phos‐ phatidylethanolamine contents all showed reduction of about 30% after 120 min of ischemia. In contrast, the content of lysophosphatidylcholine showed relatively small changes following ischemia. Ten minutes after initiation of reperfusion, further decline of the total phospholipid content resulting in as much as 42% reduction was observed. Then it recovered to nearly the control level when ischemia was for 30 min, but to only 65% of the control level when ischemia was for 120 min. The cholesterol/‐N‐(CH3)3 ratio, generally regarded as a parameter for membrane fluidity, showed about a 40% increase when ischemia was for 120 min, a change toward decreased membrane fluidity. These results appear to reflect ischemia/reperfusion‐induced changes of membrane phospholipid metabolism © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protective effects of apigenin and myricetin against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice

Abstract Context: Currently, the outcomes of the use of cisplatin in cancer therapy is limited by nephrotoxicity. Objective: This study aims to investigate the nephroprotective role of apigenin and myricetin against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. Materials and methods: Adult female Wistar Albino mice were divided into eight groups (n = 8). Group I served as normal control. Groups II, III and IV received apigenin (3 mg/kg, i.p.), myricetin (3 mg/kg, i.p.) or their combination respectively, for seven days. Group V served as positive control group, received vehicles for seven days and cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg, i.p.) for three days starting at day five. Groups VI, VII and VIII received apigenin, myricetin or their combination, respectively for seven days as well as cisplatin injection for three days starting at day five. by the end of the experimental period, a biochemical study involving, nephrotoxicity markers [serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], apoptotic marker [caspase 3], inflammatory mediators [tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase I and II (COXI, COXII)] and oxidative stress biomarkers [malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase] was conducted. In addition, renal histopathological alterations were evaluated. Results: Apigenin, myricetin and their combination significantly reduced blood BUN, serum Cr, caspase-3TNF-α, IL-6, COXI and COXII, MDA levels and significantly increased GSH level and catalase activity parallel to, histopathological improvement in kidney tissues. Discussion and conclusion: Apigenin and myricetin exhibited a protective and promising preventive strategy against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
A Paradox in the Theory of Optimal Stabilization

In 1954 Phillips [11] applied the classical techniques of control engineering to the problem of synthesizing dynamic stabilization policies. Given the dual objective of control over both the dynamic adjustment path and the comparative static equilibrium level of a target variable, Phillips proposed inter alia a combination of proportional, derivative, and integral feedbacks for effective stabilization. A drawback of this classical approach, however, is its inability to provide a general method for specifying the simultaneous values of these feedbacks. Fox, Sengupta and Thorbecke (FST) subsequently used the calculus of variations to generalize Phillips' approach [5]. By assigning quadratic preferences to the policy-maker and formulating the control problem as one of dynamic optimization, a unique set of feedback parameters could, in principle, be derived through a direct search for an optimum solution. Now the application of dynamic optimization techniques is a significant step in the evolution of stabilization theory. Yet the policies proposed by FST exhibit some puzzling features. Their proposition that optimal policies necessitate unstable target solutions particularly excites comment. The necessarily stable policies prescribed by Phillips are to be replaced by " optimal" policies which render the model unstable and thwart the very purpose behind their design-the achievement of economic stability. This paradox is surely of considerable importance for policy-making but has attracted little attention as an impossibility theorem for the design of optimal stabilization policy. If true, a conflict between optimality and stability is a telling addition to Baumol's "theorems for skeptics ", a set of negative policy prescriptions defining what policy-makers cannot do; and including the second best theorem and the Phillips proposition relating the dynamic sensitivity of economic systems to the timing and magnitude of policy, [4]. The lot of policy-makers is already onerous and all potential additions to Baumol's list warrant keen investigation before acceptance. This paper contends optimistically that the FST paradox cannot withstand close scrutiny-that there is no impossibility theorem for the design of optimal stabilization policy. Certainly, correct analysis still implies an addition to Baumol's list, but it is less stringent than that asserted by FST. The argument supporting this contention proceeds in three stages. In Section I, the optimal Phillips model used by FST is described and correct solutions are provided using necessary conditions from the theory of linear optimal control. This leads to a consideration of the alleged stability-optimality conflict in Section II. There it is shown that the paradox is untenable but with little perception of the logic whereby the conflict is avoided. Accordingly, Section III examines the phase portrait of the optimal system, clarifying the basis of the paradox. Section IV concludes, and briefly relates the underlying problem to the areas of growth theory, production theory, and filter design.
Foreign Aid and Free Trade and their Effect on Income: a Panel Analysis

This paper uses a panel approach and annual observations of over 150 countries for the period 1975 – 2000 to examine the impact of foreign aid and trade on income. The paper addresses the simultaneity of international trade, foreign aid and economic performance by using a full information system or three-stage least squares approach. The findings of this paper strongly suggest that foreign aid and trade are strong determinants of GDP per worker, albeit in opposite directions. The regression results are robust to the inclusion of a multitude of exogenous variables that are considered to be determinants of GDP per worker. Foreign aid is a commonly owned resource, powerful individuals and state heads establish property right in the system and, as a result, rent extractors expend resources resisting deregulation that attempt to remove that privilege. On the other hand, the empirical evidence reaffirms that international trade appears complementary to economic performance.
Effectiveness and pharmaceutical cost of sequential treatment for Helicobacter pylori in patients with non‐ulcer dyspepsia

Background : A novel 10‐day sequential treatment regimen recently achieved a significantly higher eradication rate than standard 7‐day therapy in both peptic ulcer disease and non‐ulcer dyspepsia. Its higher performance has recently been confirmed using a halved clarithromycin dose in peptic ulcer disease.
Intensity versus duration of cycling, impact on all-cause and coronary heart disease mortality: the Copenhagen City Heart Study

Background: Current recommendations prescribe that every adult should accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity in leisure time, preferably every day of the week. The optimal intensity, duration, and frequency still have to be established. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of intensity versus duration of cycling on all-cause and coronary heart disease mortality. Design: Relative intensity and duration of cycling were recorded in 5106 apparently healthy men and women aged 21–90 years drawn from the general population of Copenhagen, and followed for an average of 18 years. Total number of deaths during follow-up was 1172, of these 146 were coronary heart disease deaths. For both sexes we found a significant inverse association between cycling intensity and risk of all-cause and coronary heart disease death, but only a weak association with cycling duration. The difference in expected lifetime in relation to intensity of cycling was calculated. Men with fast intensity cycling survived 5.3 years longer, and men with average intensity 2.9 years longer than men with slow cycling intensity. For women the figures were 3.9 and 2.2 years longer, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the relative intensity, and not the duration of cycling, is of more importance in relation to all-cause and coronary heart disease mortality. Thus our general recommendations to all adults would be that brisk cycling is preferable to slow.
Dynamic Portfolio Choice and Asset Pricing with Narrow Framing and Probability Weighting

This paper shows that the framework proposed by Barberis and Huang (2009) to incorporate narrow framing and loss aversion into dynamic models of portfolio choice and asset pricing can be extended to also account for probability weighting and for a value function that is convex on losses and concave on gains. We show that the addition of probability weighting and a convex–concave value function reinforces previous applications of narrow framing and cumulative prospect theory to understanding the stock market non-participation puzzle and the equity premium puzzle. Moreover, we show that a convex–concave value function generates new wealth effects that are consistent with empirical observations on stock market participation.
An Exploratory Analysis of the Factors That Influence Food Choice Among Young Women

ABSTRACT Food sales represent a significant proportion of hospitality industry income; however, little research has been conducted into the factors that influence food purchasing behaviour. This study employed a sequential mixed method research design to identify the factors that influence food choice among 18-30-year-old females. The study is important because this age group has considerable spending power and has been found to have different consumption priorities to their male counterparts. While confirming the importance of previous studies, this study found that physical health, time, marketing, price, and the quality of food are major factors of influence in the purchasing and consumption decision.
Active Community Environments and Health: The Relationship of Walkable and Safe Communities to Individual Health

Abstract The literature suggests that individuals will be healthier if they live in Active Community Environments that promote exercise and activity. Two key elements of such environments are walkability and safety. Examining data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, 1988-1994 and using a multilevel analysis, we found that individuals who live in counties that are more walkable and have lower crime rates tended to walk more and to have lower body mass indices (BMIs) than people in less walk-able and more crime-prone areas, even after controlling for a variety of individual variables related to health. Among lifelong residents of an area, lesser walk-ability and more crime were also associated with respondents reporting weight-related chronic illness and lower ratings of their own health. The effect of high crime rates was substantially stronger for women than for men, and taking this interaction into account eliminated gender differences in walking, BMI, weight-related chronic conditions, and self-reported poor health. The results suggest that to promote activity and health, planners should consider community walkability, crime prevention, and safety.
Influence of exercise intensity on systemic oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity

The aim of the current study was to examine the influence of exercise intensity on systemic oxidative stress (OS) and endogenous antioxidant capacity. Non‐smoking, sedentary healthy adult males (n = 14) participated in two exercise sessions using an electronically braked cycle ergometer. The first session consisted of a graded exercise test to determine maximal power output and oxygen consumption (VO2max). One week later, participants undertook 5‐min cycling bouts at 40%, 55%, 70%, 85% and 100% of VO2max, with passive 12‐min rest between stages. Measures of systemic OS reactive oxygen metabolites (dROM), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), heart rate (HR), VO2, blood lactate and rating of perceived exertion were assessed at rest and immediately following each exercise stage. Significant (P<0·05) differences between exercise bouts were examined via repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction. Increasing exercise intensity significantly augmented HR (P<0·001), VO2 (P<0·001), blood lactate (P<0·001) and perceived exertion (P<0·001) with no significant effect on dROM levels compared with resting values. In contrast, increasing exercise intensity resulted in significantly (P<0·01) greater BAP at 70% (2427 ± 106), 85% (2625 ± 121) and 100% (2651 ± 92) of VO2max compared with resting levels (2105 ± 57 μmol Fe2+/L). The current results indicate that brief, moderate‐to‐high‐intensity exercise significantly elevates endogenous antioxidant defences, possibly to counteract increased levels of exercise‐induced reactive oxygen species. Regular moderate‐to‐high‐intensity exercise may protect against chronic OS associated diseases via activation, and subsequent upregulation of the endogenous antioxidant defence system.
Beyond Regulation of Cell Adhesion: Local Control of RhoA at the Cleavage Furrow by the p0071 Catenin

P120ctn is the prototype of a subfamily of armadillo proteins that also comprises p0071, δ-catenin, ARVCF and the more distantly related plakophilins 1-3. These proteins have well established roles in regulating adherens junction and desmosome formation which critically depends on their capacity to cluster cadherins. Besides this function in cell adhesion that is mediated by a membrane associated pool, these proteins also show cytoplasmic and nuclear localization. While their nuclear function is still enigmatic, major progress in understanding their cytoplasmic role has been made. In the cytoplasm, the p120 catenins appear responsible for the spatio-temporal control of small Rho-GTPases in various cellular contexts. Whereas p120ctn has a major function in regulating cell adhesion and motility through controlling Rho-GTPases, a recent report shows that the closely related protein p0071 associates and regulates RhoA at the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. Overexpression and knockdown of p0071 induced a cytokinesis defect that was mediated by up- or downregulation of RhoA activity at the contractile ring. There, p0071 interacted directly with RhoA itself and with the Rho-GEF Ect2. Full activation of RhoA required Ect2 as well as p0071 indicating that these two proteins act in conjunction to regulate RhoA during cytokinesis. Here we discuss the function of p120 catenins as versatile scaffolds that confer specificity to the complex regulation of Rho-GTPases. By controlling numerous stimulating guanine exchange factors (GEFs) and inhibiting GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) via the formation of multiprotein complexes at the right time and place, they direct the spatio-temporal control of Rho-signaling.
Hurting You Hurts Me Too

Much research has documented the harmful psychological effects of being ostracized, but research has yet to determine whether compliance with ostracizing other people is psychologically costly. We conducted two studies guided by self-determination theory to explore this question, using a paradigm that borrows from both ostracism research and Milgram’s classic study of obedience. Supporting our guiding hypothesis that compliance with ostracizing others carries psychological costs, the results of Experiment 1 showed that such compliance worsened mood compared with complying with instructions to include others and with receiving no instructions involving inclusion or exclusion, an effect explained by thwarted psychological needs resulting from ostracizing others. Experiment 2 revealed increases in negative affect both when individuals ostracized others and when individuals were ostracized themselves. Our findings point to the robust psychological costs associated with ostracizing other people, with implications for group behaviors.
Successor Attributes in Indian and Canadian Family Firms: A Comparative Study

This study replicates the Chrisman, Chua, Sharma 1998 Canadian study in the Indian context. Using data from 43 Indian family firms, this study compares the successor attributes that Indian and Canadian family business owners consider most important. Despite significant differences in norms and culture prevalent in these two countries, results of this comparative study indicate that both sets of family firm owners rate integrity and commitment to the business as the two most important attributes of a successor. However, compared to Canadian family firm owners, Indian owners rate blood and family relationships higher. Canadian respondents, on the other hand, rate interpersonal skills, past performance, and experience higher.
Toxoplasma gondii Infection of Neurons Induces Neuronal Cytokine and Chemokine Production, but Gamma Interferon- and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Stimulated Neurons Fail To Inhibit the Invasion and Growth of T. gondii

ABSTRACT The intracellular parasite Toxoplasmagondii has the capacity to persist in the brain within neurons. In this study we demonstrated that T. gondiiinfected murine cerebellar neurons in vitro and replicated within these cells. Stimulation with gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and/or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) did not enable neurons to inhibit parasite invasion and replication. Cultured neurons constitutively produced interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α), and MIP-1β but not transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), IL-10, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Neuronal expression of some cytokines (IL-6, TGF-β1) and chemokines (MIP-1β) was regulated by infection and/or by IFN-γ and TNF.
Random number generation by normal, alcoholic and schizophrenic subjects

Synopsis Controls (N = 45), schizophrenics (N = 20) and alcoholics (N =23) were asked to choose at random a number between 1 and 10, 100 times. The correlation matrices of five different randomization indices were used to study within group variation; these matrices were similar for the normal and alcoholic groups, but very different for the schizophrenic group. The differences between the three groups were studied by canonical analysis and, in terms of the canonical variables, the mean performance of the normal group is clearly discriminated from that of the alcoholic and schizophrenic subjects.
Incidence Study of Head Blows and Concussions in Competition Taekwondo

ObjectiveTo examine the incidence of head blows and concussions in competition taekwondo. DesignIncidence cohort design. SettingTaekwondo tournament in 2001, in South Korea. ParticipantsA total of 2328 competitors (female, 676; male, 1652; age, 11–19 years) from 424 schools participated in the tournament. All recipients of head blows were interviewed immediately after the match. All matches were recorded on videotape. Main Outcome MeasuresHead blow and concussion rates were calculated. Also, factors associated with head blows and concussions were analyzed. ResultsThe incidence of head blows and concussions was 226 and 50 per 1000 athlete exposures, respectively. Only 17% of competitors reported that they had had a concussion in the last 12 months. A multinomial logistic model showed that head blows and concussions were associated with young age and a lack of blocking skills. ConclusionsThe incidence of head blows and concussions is high in competition taekwondo. Promoting blocking skills to prevent head blows could decrease concussions in taekwondo.
Loss of autophagy enhances MIF/macrophage migration inhibitory factor release by macrophages

ABSTRACT MIF (macrophage migration inhibitory factor [glycosylation-inhibiting factor]) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine expressed in multiple cells types, including macrophages. MIF plays a pathogenic role in a number of inflammatory diseases and has been linked to tumor progression in some cancers. Previous work has demonstrated that loss of autophagy in macrophages enhances secretion of IL1 family cytokines. Here, we demonstrate that loss of autophagy, by pharmacological inhibition or siRNA silencing of Atg5, enhances MIF secretion by monocytes and macrophages. We further demonstrate that this is dependent on mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Induction of autophagy with MTOR inhibitors had no effect on MIF secretion, but amino acid starvation increased secretion. This was unaffected by Atg5 siRNA but was again dependent on mitochondrial ROS. Our data demonstrate that autophagic regulation of mitochondrial ROS plays a pivotal role in the regulation of inflammatory cytokine secretion in macrophages, with potential implications for the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and cancers.
Determinants of intention to purchase chicken in Italy: the role of consumer risk perception and trust in different information sources

The article investigates how purchasing intentions among a sample of Italian consumers are influenced by different levels of risk perception and their trust in food-safety information provided by different sources such as the food industry, government agencies, or consumers' associations. The assessment of the determinants of intention to purchase was carried out by estimating a causal model for the chicken case in which attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived risk play a major role in determining buyer's behavior. In particular, the role of trust in influencing risk perception is highlighted either as a general construct or as specific constructs targeting food chain, policy actors, and the media. lEconLit citations: Q130, Q190, D120r. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.