Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temperature and energy dependence of secretory protein transport in the exocrine pancreas.

Pancreatic lobules pulse‐labeled with [3H]leucine have been incubated at temperatures between 0 and 37 degrees C in the presence or absence of ongoing oxidative phosphorylation. Subcellular fractionation methods and electron microscopic autoradiography have been used to monitor the progress of intracellular transport of newly synthesized secretory proteins. Over the period studied, exit from the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) occurs only at greater than 10 degrees C while traversal of the Golgi complex and entry into condensing vacuoles requires greater than 22 degrees C. Both steps of transport require ongoing ATP production. Incubation at 10 or 20 degrees C does not diminish ATP levels, relative to 37 degrees C controls. Remarkable and unprecedented alterations of the ultrastructure of transitional elements of the RER accompany the arrest of exit from the RER: at 10 degrees C transitional elements are much more numerous and longer than in controls; in the absence of ATP production they are essentially absent. These observations are interpreted in terms of a cyclic model of RER‐to‐Golgi vesicular traffic. Inhibition of ATP production also causes an increase in the rigid cisternae and coated elements in the distal Golgi area.
The Response of Interest Rates to US and UK Quantitative Easing

We analyze the declines in government bond yields that followed the announcements of plans by the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England to buy longer-term government debt. Using empirical dynamic term structure models, we decompose these declines into changes in expectations about future monetary policy and changes in term premiums. We find that declines in U.S. Treasury yields mainly reflected lower policy expectations, while declines in U.K. yields appeared to reflect reduced term premiums. Thus, the relative importance of the signaling and portfolio balance channels of quantitative easing may depend on market institutional structures and central bank communications policies.
Activity‐dependent formation and functions of chondroitin sulfate‐rich extracellular matrix of perineuronal nets

Extracellular matrix molecules—including chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, hyaluronan, and tenascin‐R—are enriched in perineuronal nets (PNs) associated with subsets of neurons in the brain and spinal cord. In the present study, we show that similar cell type‐dependent extracellular matrix aggregates are formed in dissociated cell cultures prepared from early postnatal mouse hippocampus. Starting from the 5th day in culture, accumulations of lattice‐like extracellular structures labeled with Wisteria floribunda agglutinin were detected at the cell surface of parvalbumin‐expressing interneurons, which developed after 2–3 weeks into conspicuous PNs localized around synaptic contacts at somata and proximal dendrites, as well as around axon initial segments. Physiological recording and intracellular labeling of PN‐expressing neurons revealed that these are large fast‐spiking interneurons with morphological characteristics of basket cells. To study mechanisms of activity‐dependent formation of PNs, we performed pharmacological analysis and found that blockade of action potentials, transmitter release, Ca2+ permeable AMPA subtype of glutamate receptors or L‐type Ca2+ voltage‐gated channels strongly decreased the extracellular accumulation of PN components in cultured neurons. Thus, we suggest that Ca2+ influx via AMPA receptors and L‐type channels is necessary for activity‐dependent formation of PNs. To study functions of chondroitin sulfate‐rich PNs, we treated cultures with chondroitinase ABC that resulted in a prominent reduction of several major PN components. Removal of PNs did not affect the number and distribution of perisomatic GABAergic contacts but increased the excitability of interneurons in cultures, implicating the extracellular matrix of PNs in regulation of interneuronal activity. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007
Doing sustainability: an application of an inter-disciplinary and mixed-method approach to a regional sustainable tourism project

This paper describes and explains an interdisciplinary and mixed-method approach to a large-scale sustainable tourism development project. The research took place in a two-county area straddling the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia, USA. It was commissioned in order to develop a sustainable tourism centerpiece to enhance the region and encourage visitor expenditures while maintaining the environment and quality of life of the community. In response to Hollinshead and Jamal's 2007 call for a more bricoleur and third ear approach to tourism research, a gap analysis of the region's tourism offerings was performed using six interdisciplinary, mixed-method research phases seeking to identify discrepancies between the current region's tourism offerings, visitor preferences and community stakeholders. Phases included a Community Resource Assessment (GIS-based Inventory), Stakeholder Interviews, a Visitor Survey and GPS visitor tracking, the development of seven Potential Scenarios, a Potential Visitor Survey and an Economic Analysis. Subsequently, two potential tourism centerpieces were developed with the goal of showcasing the region's unique mountain and agricultural heritage. In addition to providing a detailed overview of the research project, the paper concludes with discussion of the practical and political challenges, time constraints and rewards that accompany this type of research.
Performance management of academic staff in the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Tartu University (pluses and minuses)

The present study aims to establish the pluses and minuses of the performance appraisal and management system of the academic staff. This is done through the case study of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (FEBA) at Tartu University, Estonia. Research is based on the analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods. The author carried out document analysis and two original questionnaires in the FEBA. In order to achieve this aim, the author questioned the academic staff during the years of 2004–2007. The author carried out 5 semi-structured focus interviews with senior management and lecturers and 10 individual interviews between the years of 2004–2009. The author of this article took part in all these processes, including the expert groups and board, and applied the participation observation method where appropriate.
Ownership, Governance, and Bank Performance: Korean Experience

The paper examines the effect of ownership and governance on firm performance. Tracing the post financial crisis experience, 1998-2002, of the Korean commercial bank industry, the paper investigates whether the involvement of foreign investors in the ownership structure had any significant effect on the banks' performance i.e., return and risk measures. Further, it examines the effects of the presence of outside directors, especially directors from foreign countries, in the corporate board structure impacts banks performance. Evidence indicates that the extent of the foreign ownership level, not the mere existence of foreign ownership, has a significant positive association with the bank return and a significant negative association with the bank risk. The number of outside board of directors does not have any significant affect on performance however the presence of a foreign director on that board is significantly associated with bank return and risk. These findings are relatively robust under the different specifications of performance measures.
Experimental Microsporum canis infection in cats: correlation between immunological and clinical observations.

Microsporum canis infection was induced in five of six adult cats by the application of mycelium to shaved and mildly abraided skin. The clinical course of the disease was monitored over 16 weeks by physical examination and Wood's lamp illumination. The incubation period (time from inoculation to first appearance of infected hairs) varied between 8 and 13 days and was followed by a progressive phase of slow peripheral expansion of lesions accompanied by scaling, alopecia and skin thickening that lasted for approximately 2 weeks. In four of the five cats the lesions then remained stable for between 1 and 6 weeks before regression occurred, with clinical resolution evident in these cats by 11-14 weeks post-infection. In one cat disease was more prolonged, with regression only beginning at the end of the study, and this cat also developed a satellite lesion. Immunological responses during infection were monitored every 2 weeks and consisted of ELISA to measure serum M. canis-specific IgG, IgM and IgA antibody concentrations, M. canis antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation assay, and mitogen-induced (ConA) lymphocyte proliferation assay. In all three immunoglobulin classes evaluated, a significant (P < or = 0.020) rise in antibody concentration was seen in response to infection, and occurred earliest with the IgM class (2 weeks post-infection). Overall, a heterogeneous antibody response was found, and changes in antibody concentration showed no clear temporal relationship to recovery from disease. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Poverty and Excess in Binge Economies

The history of excess has tended to focus on middle‐class groups intent on demonstrating their wealth through conspicuous consumption. I draw on historical evidence from working cultures of loggers, fishermen, miners, sailors, and manual laborers to show how consumption was embedded in daily rhythms of work, in the cultural construction of gender, and the economy. I define a “binge economy” which typically emerged in extractive industries on the margins of the capitalist world system. Then I question whether working‐class displays of excessive consumption were self‐limiting. Rather than being based on greed, I argue that working‐class binge consumption was an attempt to build a social order which would allow workers to survive harsh work discipline, extremely dangerous physical labor, and the socially corrosive nature of money. But rather than being an effective form of resistance or solidarity, excessive consumption created as many problems as it solved, perpetuating servitude in the guise of freedom, and serving the interests of capital. Nevertheless, the close association of masculinity with excessive forms of social consumption continues to inspire many forms of excess and overconsumption among middle‐class Americans.
The study of Asian languages in two Australian states: considerations for language-in-education policy and planning

This dissertation conducts a comprehensive examination of the study of Asian languages in two Australian states, taking into consideration the broad range of people and variables which impact on the language-in-education ecology. These findings are intended to enhance the development of language-in-education policy, planning and implementation in Australia. In order to incorporate a number of perspectives in the language-in-education ecology, interviews were conducted with a range of stakeholders, school administrators, LOTE (Languages Other Than English) coordinators and LOTE teachers, from all three education systems – government, independent and Catholic (31 individuals), across two states – Victoria and New South Wales. Questionnaires were also completed by 464 senior secondary students who were studying an Asian language. Along with the use of supporting data (for example, government reports and newspaper discourse analysis), the interview and questionnaire data was analysed thematically, as well as through the use of descriptive statistics. This study identifies a number of sociopolitical, structural, funding and attitudinal variables that influence the success of Asian language program implementation. An interesting finding to arise from the student data is the notion of a pan-Asian identity amongst students with an Asian heritage. At a broader level, the analysis identifies different outcomes for the study of Asian languages amongst schools, education and systems as a result of the many factors that are a part of the language-in-education ecology. This thesis also discuss a number of broader issues to arise from the data including tensions within the study of Asian languages due to the lack of recognition granted Asian community languages. This has resulted in an ongoing conflict based on the notion of ‘ownership’ of languages. As an extension of this, the assessment system for senior secondary students of Asian languages is also viewed as problematic. Through the illustration of a complex language-in-education ecology and the exploration of the role of ‘linguistic cultures’ and ‘agency’, this dissertation provides a greater understanding of Asian language study in Australia, and contributes
Integrating Wetland Management into Sustainable Water Resources Allocation: The Case of Akrotiri Wetland in Cyprus

Abstract This paper employs a contingent valuation (CV) study to estimate the value of the economic benefits generated by the Akrotiri wetland in Cyprus. It aims to show how CV estimation results can inform efficient, effective and sustainable wetland conservation policies, as required by the European Union's Water Framework Directive, and to suggest economic instruments that can facilitate the implementation of such policies. The results indicate that the design of these instruments require the capturing of both the use and non-use values generated by wetland services and functions.
Genetic alterations of IDH1 and Vegf in brain tumors

This study evaluates the presence of R132H mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1) gene and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) +936 C/T polymorphism in brain tumors. The impact of these genetic alterations on overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) was evaluated.
The Impact of Guanxi on Export Performance

Summary Broadly defined as interpersonal relationship in Chinese society, guanxi embodies several intricate and unique Chinese cultural values. Although more and more western business people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of guanxi in doing business in China, its potential impacts on the performance of business are still not well understood by western business people. This paper uses path analysis to assess the impacts of guanxi on export performance of a sample of New Zealand firms exporting to China. The results show that guanxi variables significantly facilitate trade partnering, business negotiating, and problem solving and generally contributes positively to the overall export performance of firms.
An Analysis of the Elements of the Professional Learning Communities Institute and Its Relationship to the Sources of Collective Efficacy

Title of Dissertation: AN ANALYSIS OF THE ELEMENTS OF THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES INSTITUTE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE SOURCES OF COLLECTIVE EFFICACY Susan Faye Marks, Doctor of Education, 2009 Dissertation directed by: Professor Carol Parham Department of Education Leadership, Higher Education and International Education Educating students to meet high accountability standards and even more importantly preparing students to be competitive in a complex and demanding world requires schools to become high functioning organizations. This mixed-method study examined the relationship between professional learning communities and the collective efficacy in 10 elementary schools that participated in the Professional Learning Communities Institute (PLCI) in a large suburban school district outside Washington, DC. The implementation of the PLCI allowed the researcher to analyze these relationships in schools receiving structured and deliberate professional development in becoming professional learning communities as well as the effect this experience had on the beliefs of the group about their ability to make a difference for their students. The researcher analyzed survey and interview data through the lens of the characteristics of professional learning communities as outlined by Hord (1997) and the sources of efficacy as defined by Bandura (1997). The findings from this study revealed a significant relationship between the five dimensions of professional learning communities and collective efficacy. The characteristics of professional learning communities of shared leadership, shared vision, collective learning, supportive conditions, and shared personal practice work in a school organization to strengthen the collective efficacy of staff. The professional development that the schools received in becoming professional learning communities promoted collective efficacy. Although the 10 schools demonstrated strong collective efficacy, in general, there were some differences between schools. This study found that some variables influenced the perceived collective efficacy in the schools surveyed. There was a moderate inverse significant relationship between poverty level and collective efficacy. Low-poverty schools had higher collective efficacy than high-poverty schools. The length of time that teachers were in their current school was mildly related to the collective efficacy in that school. There was a negative mild relationship between the teachers’ number of years of experience and the poverty level of the school. AN ANALYSIS OF THE ELEMENTS OF THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES INSTITUTE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE SOURCES OF COLLECTIVE EFFICACY
Auditor Reputation: The Impact of Critical Reports Issued by Government Inspectors

In recent years U.K. Department of Trade investigations into the affairs of a specific company have sometimes been critical of the work done by its auditors and reporting accountants. This article assesses the impact of this criticism on the auditor's reputation. In particular, it examines the stock price performance of the auditor's listed clients. The results show a small wealth loss for the audit clients. The article also examines the impact of the Department of Trade criticism on an audit firm's number of listed clients and its future audit fees. Compared to a control group, the criticized auditors appear to suffer a small loss in market share based on number of listed clients and on audit fees. The evidence suggests that criticized auditors incurred economic losses from the damage to their reputations. This is consistent with models of reputation advanced in the industrial organization literature.
Trade Reform and Manufacturing Performance in Mexico: from import substitution to dramatic export growth

Since the trade liberalisation of the mid 1980s the trade regime facing Mexican manufacturers has changed dramatically. The economy has moved from one where import substitution behind tariffs and some licensing restrictions was the norm to a highly open trading environment with virtual free trade between Mexico and its largest trade partner the USA and modest tariffs of around 10 per cent with other countries. Since the late 1980s manufactured exports have grown dramatically at one of the fastest rates of any economy, although financed by large capital inflows the net trade balance in manufactures remains negative. This paper surveys the recent evidence on the impact of this liberalisation process on manufacturing performance. Various performance indicators can be used to assess the impact on manufacturing. Here four are discussed: (1) revealed comparative advantage measures of net trade balance; (2) efficiency wage estimates of unit labour costs; (3) total factor growth; (4) export growth. The performance of different branches of manufacturing is examined using these indicators and tests are conducted to establish links between movements in these indicators and the degree of exposure to foreign competition experienced by the various branches. The general conclusion is that the evidence is ambiguous with only some studies supporting the view that the greater the trade liberalisation in a branch the greater will be the subsequent improvement in performance.
Modeling Data with Excess Zeros and Measurement Error: Application to Evaluating Relationships between Episodically Consumed Foods and Health Outcomes

Summary Dietary assessment of episodically consumed foods gives rise to nonnegative data that have excess zeros and measurement error. Tooze et al. (2006, Journal of the American Dietetic Association 106, 1575–1587) describe a general statistical approach (National Cancer Institute method) for modeling such food intakes reported on two or more 24‐hour recalls (24HRs) and demonstrate its use to estimate the distribution of the food's usual intake in the general population. In this article, we propose an extension of this method to predict individual usual intake of such foods and to evaluate the relationships of usual intakes with health outcomes. Following the regression calibration approach for measurement error correction, individual usual intake is generally predicted as the conditional mean intake given 24HR‐reported intake and other covariates in the health model. One feature of the proposed method is that additional covariates potentially related to usual intake may be used to increase the precision of estimates of usual intake and of diet‐health outcome associations. Applying the method to data from the Eating at America's Table Study, we quantify the increased precision obtained from including reported frequency of intake on a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) as a covariate in the calibration model. We then demonstrate the method in evaluating the linear relationship between log blood mercury levels and fish intake in women by using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and show increased precision when including the FFQ information. Finally, we present simulation results evaluating the performance of the proposed method in this context.
Influence of cavity depth on marginal degradation of amalgam restorations

In a 5-year clinical trial it was observed that the marginal degradation of class-II amalgam restorations could be related to the bulk of the restoration. The association between the occlusal cavity depth and the marginal degradation was observed after 6 months and varied for the different-types of alloy. Ridit scores of the marginal degradation were correlated to various indices of the cavity sizes, to assess the possible reason for this association. The possibilities of the relationship being an indirect effect caused by longer condensation times or by poorer condensation due to the use oflarger condenser sizes were rejected. Furthermore, the possibility that the association was the result of potential buildup of stresses on the restoration margins caused by flexible cusps and axial walls was not apparent. A possible mechanism may be that marginal degradation is the result of short-term or long-term expansion, or even extrusion of amalgam. Expansion may theoretically be caused over short periods by temperature changes or over long periods by corrosion or phase shifts in the amalgam. The theory does not exclude the role of creep or corrosion artd may furthermore explain the lack of correlation between in-vitro tests and in-vivo performance of amalgam restorations. D Clinical study; dental materials; expansion; marginal ditch; operative dentistry