Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rhamnolipid (biosurfactant) effects on cell aggregation and biodegradation of residual hexadecane under saturated flow conditions

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of low concentrations of a rhamnolipid biosurfactant on the in situ biodegradation of hydrocarbon entrapped in a porous matrix. Experiments were performed with sand-packed columns under saturated flow conditions with hexadecane as a model hydrocarbon. Application of biosurfactant concentrations greater than the CMC (the concentration at which the surfactant molecules spontaneously form micelles or vesicles [0.03 mM]) resulted primarily in the mobilization of hexadecane entrapped within the sand matrix. In contrast, application of biosurfactant concentrations less than the CMC enhanced the in situ mineralization of entrapped hexadecane; however, this effect was dependent on the choice of bacterial isolate. The two Pseudomonas isolates tested, R4 and ATCC 15524, were used because they exhibit different patterns of biodegradation of hexadecane, and they also differed in their physical response to rhamnolipid addition. ATCC 15524 cells formed extensive multicell aggregates in the presence of rhamnolipid while R4 cells were unaffected. This behavior did not affect the ability of the biosurfactant to enhance the biodegradation of hexadecane in well-mixed soil slurry systems but had a large affect on the extent of entrapped hexadecane biodegradation in the sand-packed-column system that was used in this study.
Value Information of Corporate Decisions and Corporate Governance Practices

Extant published literature reveals that sound corporate governance practices enhance firm value. However, how it affects firm value remains largely unexplained. This paper addresses this question by providing a direct link between corporate governance practices and strategic corporate decisions, such as investment, financing, dividend policies, and cash holdings. Applying a unique dataset of firm-level corporate governance practices obtained from the Korea Corporate Governance Service in Fama and French’s (The Journal of Finance, 53, 1998, 819) framework, corporate governance practices are expected to influence firm value by enhancing value implications of firm-level decisions. Findings show that the value implications of financing, investment, dividend, and cash-holding decisions are strong for firms with sound corporate governance practices.
Population Density, House Prices and Mortgage Design

Whether house prices rise faster or slower than average incomes affects the level of home ownership and the riskiness of different means of financing house purchase. This study develops a model of the housing market with the property that the major determinant of house price rises relative to incomes is the evolution of population density. The model implies that if population density is on an upward trajectory, rises in population and in incomes increasingly generate price responses and diminishing rises in the stock of housing. Rises in population density make high and rising levels of house prices likely; this makes alternatives to standard debt financing of home ownership become more desirable. The impact this has on the structure of risk‐sharing contracts between providers of outside equity and homeowners is analysed.
Information Seeking About Global Climate Change Among Adolescents: The Role of Risk Perceptions, Efficacy Beliefs, and Parental Influences

Global climate change is likely to have significant impacts on public health. Effective communication is critical to informing public decision making and behavior to mitigate climate change. An effective method of audience segmentation, the risk perception attitude (RPA) framework, has been previously tested with other health behaviors and classifies people into 4 groups on the basis of their perceptions of risk and beliefs about personal efficacy. The 4 groups—indifference (low risk, weak efficacy), proactive (low risk, strong efficacy), avoidance (high risk, weak efficacy), and responsive (high risk, strong efficacy)—are hypothesized to differ in their self-protective behaviors and in their motivations to seek information. In this article, we extend the RPA framework in two ways. First, we use it at the household level to determine whether parental classifications into the 4 groups are associated with their teenage children's classification into the same 4 groups. Second, we predict adolescent information seeking behaviors on the basis of their and their parents' membership in the 4 RPA groups. Results (N = 523 parent–adolescent pairs) indicated that parental membership in the 4 RPA groups was significantly associated with children's membership in the same 4 groups. Furthermore, the RPA framework was a significant predictor of adolescent information seeking: Those in the responsive and avoidance groups sought more information on climate change than the indifference group. Family communication on global warming was positively associated with adolescents' information seeking. Implications for interventions are discussed.
Predicting functional residues of protein sequence alignments as a feature selection task

Determining which residues within a multiple alignment of protein sequences are most responsible for protein function is a difficult and important task in bioinformatics. Here, we show that this task is an application of the standard Feature Selection (FS) problem. We show the comparison of standard FS techniques with more specialised algorithms on a range of data sets backed by experimental evidence, and find that some standard algorithms perform as well as specialised ones. We also discuss how considering the discriminating power of combinations of residue positions, rather than the power of each position individually, has the potential to improve the performance of such algorithms.
The 3Rs in research: a contemporary approach to replacement, reduction and refinement

Abstract First promulgated in 1959, the 3Rs of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement have evolved as fundamental principles underlying the use of animals and alternatives in science throughout the modern world. This review describes a contemporary approach to delivering the 3Rs through acknowledging the contribution of new technologies and emphasising that applying the 3Rs can be beneficial to good science as well as to animal welfare. This science-led approach moves the concept of the 3Rs out of an ethical silo where they were often considered by scientists to be an inconvenient obligation. On the contrary, relevant examples demonstrate the opportunity to practise better science using 3Rs technologies which deliver faster, more reproducible and more cost-effective results. Indeed, methods harnessing Replacement approaches may permit discoveries which are simply not feasible using animals and frequently are more flexible and agile since compliance with regulatory oversight requirements is simplified. Although the necessity for rigorous oversight is well recognised, it is important that the associated bureaucracy is not allowed to become prohibitive, causing scientists to avoid pursuing justifiable and important research involving animals. Public support for research is conditional – animals should not suffer unnecessarily and sufficient potential benefit should accrue from the research. However, society also actively seeks pioneering medical and scientific advances which can only be achieved through research. Therefore, a balance must be struck between safeguarding animal welfare whilst enabling high-quality science. It is this balance which promotes and sustains public confidence that animal based research is acceptable and being appropriately managed.
Equity REIT Beta Estimation

Recent research has provided a summary of procedures for selecting and estimating beta that are assumed to be invariant to the type of company being analyzed. For companies such as real estate investment trusts, however, institutional details may dictate the use of different procedures. Specifically, U.S. REITs qualify for corporate tax exemption only by following rules that require high dividend payouts. Also, they are generally considered to be small-capitalization stocks. We present here a review of how financial services firms calculate REIT betas. The findings indicate that these firms make no special provisions for REITs and that their different procedures for estimating beta generally yield statistically different results among the REIT sample. Then, we present a study of elements that may be important in estimating REIT cost of capital. Through a series of beta estimations, using the same companies over the same period, we tested how treatments of dividends, use of small-cap versus broad market in.
A clinico-pathological study of 70 cases of pemphigus.

A clinicopalhological study of 70 cases of pemphigus observed over a span of four and a half years from January 1992 to June 1996 at the Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals and Grant Medical College, Mumbai is reported. Pemphigus vulgaris constituted the single largest group of 43 cases, followed by pemphigus foliaceus (25 cases) and pemphigus vegetans (2 cases). Majority of the cases were seen in the age group of 21-60 years, with a slight male predominance. The youngest patient was 14 years while the eldest was aged 75 years. Mucosal involvement was seen in 31 cases of pemphigus vulgaris, as opposed to only 5 cases of pemphigus foliaceus. Flaccid bullae were present in 100% cases. Pruritus was complained of in 14 cases, though it was more common in pemphigus vegetans and vulgaris. Salient histopathological features of pemphigus vulgaris observed were (I) intraepidermal suprabasal blisters (35 cases), (2) presence of acantholytic cells (40 cases), (3) "Row of tombstone appearance" (I8 cases) and (4) acantholysis involving follicular sheath (20 cases). Main histopathological features of pemphigus foliaceus were (1) subcorneal blister (15 case), (2) acantholysis (24 cases) and (3) bulla cavity containing inflammatory infiltrate (12 cases). Both cases of pemphigus vegetans showed hyperkeratosis, papillomatosis and irregular acanthosis with intra-epidermal eosinophilic abscesses besides suprabasal lacunae.
Para pensar a confiança e a cultura política na América Latina

This article identifies the determinants of political trust and its relationship with the support for regime in the relatively recent Latin American democracies. Based on the 1996 Latinobarometer data, the author analyses five hypothesis about political trust in five countries: Argentina, Brasil, Costa Rica, Colombia and Chile. The results show that the preference for democracy, the conceptions about economy and satisfaction with the government, the optimism with the country and family futures, and the interest in politics are the main determinants of trust in political institutions.
Patchwork of land use, tapestry of risk

The links between built form and environmental health are, as yet, inadequately understood. Risk is a formless and ambiguous phenomenon tightly embedded in the myriad pattern of land uses that generate it. Our research, which is founded on a contextualist notion of policy design, demonstrates the potential of innovative land use policy instruments (i.e. form-based codes, conditional use permits) to address risk. We model environmental risks from point and mobile sources in Southeast Los Angeles (SELA), a known air toxics hotspot. We compare risk contours before and after implementation of land use interventions. The use of innovative form-based codes for modifying built environments results in appreciable risk reductions around transportation corridors in SELA. Conditional use permits employing technological standards for commercial and light-industrial land uses also produce some risk reductions. This research suggests an untapped potential for land use planning instruments to address the environmental health impacts of built form.
Heterogeneous Focal Points, Fairness, and Coordination

In games with multiple equilibria, the fairest equilibrium –in case one exists- may be the obvious solution for some players but not for others, and players can be aware of this heterogeneity. This paper theoretically explores how coordination could be achieved in this case. The model is consistent with abundant experimental evidence and explains, for instance, why (a) the attractiveness of the fair equilibrium, (b) out-of-equilibrium payoffs, (c) dominated strategies, and (d) the number of players and available strategies matter for coordination. The model is compared with alternative equilibrium selection criteria like risk and payoff dominance and ideas for new experiments are suggested.
Mesophilic anaerobic digestion: first option for waste treatment in tropical regions

Rural India derives its energy needs for cooking and heating through the use of fuel wood and for lighting and agricultural operations through kerosene and diesel. Use of fuel wood has aggravated the problem of de-forestation, while availability of kerosene and diesel cannot be guaranteed due to corrupt practices in the public distribution systems. In contrast, urban India derives its energy needs through LPG cylinders, petrol, and electricity. However, their cost and uncertainty rendered them beyond the reach of lower income population. This scenario is more or less true with many developing countries. To meet these objectives, biogas generation from biodegradable waste using anaerobic digestion (AD) appears to be a sustainable avenue as it could be used for (a) water and space heating of farmhouses, animal shelters, (b) generating steam for food processing plants, and (c) electricity generation, in addition to reducing the pollution/hazard potential of these wastes. Many of the underdeveloped and developing countries are in the temperate zone and thus mesophilic AD could provide a desired pathway to achieve a long delayed need of energy for comfortable living, farming, and industrial operations. Efforts made in this direction are reviewed in the present article.
How reward satisfaction affects employees’ turnover intentions and performance: an individual differences approach

We challenge the assumption that satisfaction with rewards has the same effect on the behaviour and attitudes of every employee, and hypothesise that there are individual differences in the effects of (satisfaction with) financial, material and psychological rewards on turnover intentions and task performance. Survey data from 179 employees are combined with supervisor-rated task performance data and analysed with cluster-wise regression analysis. As for task performance, no employee types or individual differences were found. However, we identified three different employee types revealing a unique relationship pattern between satisfaction with financial, material and psychological rewards and turnover intentions. These employee types also differed in socio-demographic characteristics and work values. Our findings illustrate that to be able to fully understand the underlying relationship between rewards and employee outcomes, scholars need to adopt an individual difference perspective and methodology. Implications for practice, limitations and opportunities for future studies are discussed.
The Differentiation of Determinants Among Return, Onward, and Primary Migrants in Canada

This study examines the differences in the determinants that distinguish interprovincial primary return and onward migrants in Canada. Using the individual file of the 1986 Census Public Use Sample analyses are conducted both at macro or aggregate level in comparing migration across provinces and at micro level in terms of individual propensity to undertake various types of migration. Compared to primary migrants return migrants tend to be less educated and less economically motivated. However it is difficult to distinguish returns due to disappointment from those involving a planned life cycle strategy. Onward migrants are more educated than primary migrants and they appear to be responding to a broader set of factors which would imply a more careful consideration of alternatives. (SUMMARY IN FRE) (EXCERPT)
Candida albicans and Candida glabrata Clinical Isolates Exhibiting Reduced Echinocandin Susceptibility

ABSTRACT A recognized hotspot for mutations conferring reduced echinocandin susceptibility (RES) is residue S645 of Candida albicans Gsc1(Fks1). We report that the mutation F641Y is associated with RES in a C. albicans isolate. The analogous Fks2 residue is mutated F to V in a Candida glabrata RES isolate; the introduction of this mutation into susceptible C. glabrata confirmed its role in RES. Y641-equivalent Fks residues were identified in intrinsically RES Fusarium species and Candida guilliermondii.
Agency Relationships in a Brazilian Multifamily Firm

This work shows how tenets of agency theory can be linked with institutional analysis to improve their explanatory power in the context of an emerging country such as Brazil. This study assessed the authors’ propositions in a single-case analysis of a Brazilian multiple family firm. The results show that in the initial phase, characterized by less severe agency problems, the firm’s competitive advantage matured, supported by the strong presence of trust derived from an extended family structure. As the company grew in complexity, the informal monitoring mechanisms that characterize collectivist societies allowed agency problems to escalate.
The Impact of Costliness, Competitive Importance, and Modularity of Investments on Outsourcing

This study is motivated by examples of outsourcing that are not readily explained by widely established economic theories. We extend recent literature that develops the idea that outsourcing can help firms avoid overinvestment by specifying more precisely the conditions under which this thesis is likely to apply. Our extension is realized through a two‐period game theoretic model in which the outsourcing and in‐house investments are driven by (1) the cost required to develop a product or process module, (2) competitive relevance, defined as the module's share in the production cost or the module's importance to the customer, and (3) modularity, defined as the extent to which generic investments in the module can approach firm‐specific investments in terms of the overall product/process performance. The analysis generates predictions about what types of insourcing, outsourcing, and non‐sourcing behaviors are likely to emerge in different parts of the parameter space. Outsourcing to a more concentrated industry upstream emerges at equilibrium when modularity is high, relevance low to medium, and development cost high enough that none or only a subset of focal firms wants to invest. While firms are forced to insource and overinvest due to a prisoner's dilemma when the development cost is sufficiently high relative to the module's relevance, we do not find outsourcing equilibria that solve this problem in a two‐period game with no commitment. This result implies that some form of tacit coordination in a multi‐period game may be necessary. We conclude the study with a discussion of empirical implications.
Interferon Regulatory Factor 1 Is an Essential and Direct Transcriptional Activator for Interferon γ-induced RANTES/CCl5 Expression in Macrophages*

Interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) is an important transcription factor in interferon γ (IFNγ)-mediated signaling in the development and function of NK cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. RANTES (regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted; CCL5) is a member of the CC chemokine family of proteins, which is strongly chemoattractant for several important immune cell types in host defense against infectious agents and cancer. However, the role of IFNγ and IRF-1 in the regulation of RANTES gene expression and their operative mechanisms in macrophages have not been established. We report here that RANTES expression in IRF-1-null mice, primarily in macrophages, in response to carcinogenic stimulation in vivo and in vitro and to IFNγ but not to lipopolysaccharide in vitro, was markedly decreased. As a result, RANTES-mediated chemoattraction of CCR5+ target cells was also severely impaired. Adenovirus-mediated gene transduction of IRF-1 in primary macrophages resulted in enhanced RANTES expression. The IFNγ and IRF1 response element was localized to a TTTTC motif at –147 to –143 of the mouse RANTES promoter, to which endogenous or recombinant IRF-1 can physically bind in vitro and in vivo. This study uncovers a novel IFNγ-induced pathway in RANTES expression mediated by IRF-1 in macrophages and elucidates an important host defense mechanism against neoplastic transformation.
Transsinusoidal Fluid Dynamics in Canine Liver during Venous Hypertension

We studied arterial pressure, portal pressure, inferior vena caval pressure, hepatic interstitial pressure (implanted capsule technique), prenodal lymph flow, and the protein concentration in plasma and lymph in the anesthetized dog under normal conditions and during graded venous hypertension resulting from inferior vena caval occlusion. Under control conditions, portal, interstitial, and inferior vena caval pressures were 7.0, 5.8, and 2.0 mm Hg, respectively, and the lymph-plasma protein concentration ratio was 0.95. During acute venous hypertension, 64% of the inferior vena caval pressure increase was transmitted to the hepatic interstitium, and lymph flow increased 63% for every 1 mm Hg increment in interstitial pressure. The lymph-plasma protein concentration ratio did not change significantly during venous hypertension, indicating that: (1) the reflection coefficient of the sinusoidal wall for the major plasma proteins is close to zero, and (2) protein transport across the microvascular wall is due mainly to bulk flow. Using portal, interstitial, and inferior vena caval pressures as limits for possible values of sinusoidal pressure, our data suggest that (1) control sinusoidal pressure was between 5.8 and 7.0 mm Hg, and (2) approximately 90% of the increase in inferior vena caval pressure was transmitted to the sinusoids. The results indicate that changes in interstitial pressure, lymph flow, and surface transudation rate are major compensatory mechanisms operating in the liver to limit interstitial engorgement during venous hypertension. CireRea 45:317-323, 1979