Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bhutanese and Canadian business student attitudes to entrepreneurship: implications for education and learning

This study compares attitudes to entrepreneurship of university business students in the newly democratised Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan to those in Canada. Bhutan is a country in transition from a subsistence agricultural economy to a modern service and trading economy. Entrepreneurship is identified as having a key role in economic development. The government has slowly begun to institute programmes and supportive infrastructure. Results indicate that although there is entrepreneurship potential equivalent to that in Canada, current Bhutanese business students do not often consider this route. Entrepreneurial education and learning are reviewed. Recommendations and future research directions are indicated.
Inquiring Minds Want to Know: Do Justices Tip Their Hands with Questions at Oral Argument in the U.S. Supreme Court?

This paper tests whether Supreme Court justices tip their hands at oral arguments. Specifically, we test whether, when justices ask more questions of one side, that side is more likely to lose their case. The findings support the theory; namely, when justices ask more questions of the petitioner's attorney the Court is significantly less likely to reverse the lower court decision.
DNA Hairpin Opening Mediated by the RAG1 and RAG2 Proteins

ABSTRACT The lymphoid cell-specific proteins RAG1 and RAG2 initiate V(D)J recombination by cleaving DNA adjacent to recombination signals, generating blunt signal ends and covalently sealed, hairpin coding ends. A critical next step in the reaction is opening of the hairpins, but the factor(s) responsible has not been identified and had been thought to be a ubiquitous component(s) of the DNA repair machinery. Here we demonstrate that RAG1 and RAG2 possess an intrinsic single-stranded nuclease activity capable of nicking hairpin coding ends at or near the hairpin tip. In Mn2+, a synthetic hairpin is nicked 5 nucleotides (nt) 5′ of the hairpin tip, with more distant sites of nicking suppressed by HMG2. In Mg2+, hairpins generated by V(D)J cleavage are nicked whereas synthetic hairpins are not. Cleavage-generated hairpins are nicked at the tip and predominantly 1 to 2 nt 5′ of the tip. RAG1 and RAG2 may therefore be responsible for initiating the processing of coding ends and for the generation of P nucleotides during V(D)J recombination.
Household Equivalence Scales: Theory versus Policy?

Researchers agree that household equivalence scales are intended to measure the variation in income needed to bring households of different composition to the same welfare level. Researchers do not agree, however, about how the term "household welfare" is to be defined. This article traces the historical and philosophical development of three distinct definitions. When the conceptual bases of several popular methods for the estimation of equivalence scales are explored, it becomes clear that advances in theoretical rigor have not always worked to bring the literature closer to answering questions of policy concern.
Do Board Independence and CEO Duality Matter in Firm Valuation? – An Empirical Study of Indian Companies

Post regulatory enactments, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act, 2002 and the Narayana Murthy Committee’s report, responsibilities of the board have undergone a major change. Consequently, different aspects of board structure, comprising board size, board independence and CEO duality, have become influential factors in the implementation of effective corporate governance of firms. These factors are drawing the attention of investors both in India and abroad due to the involvement of Indian firms in cross-border acquisitions and cross-listing in foreign bourses. This paper examines the impact of board independence and CEO duality on the valuation of companies listed in BSE 100 index. Panel data regression results show that aspects like board independence and CEO duality do not have a significant impact on firm valuations measured by Tobin’s Q. The study also indicates that in the Indian context, the firms with large board sizes have better valuation.
Social economy and stakeholder theory, an integrative framework for socialization of the capitalism

In this article we set out to resolve the theoretical foundation of the Social Economy and its permeability with the capitalist economy by integrating the Social Economy paradigm with Stakeholder Theory, thus generating a reciprocal benefit. The alignment of resources and capabilities in accordance with social good, characteristic of the Social Economy, will furnish the ontological perspective of the Stakeholder Theory with a stronger grounding, distancing it from the instrumental perspective. It will also imbue it with a special concern for the social pole, frequently relegated in favour of other stakeholders. Rooting the Social Economy within the Stakeholder Theory makes at least three significant contributions to the former. Firstly, questioning Theory of Property Rights, secondly making it possible to give a systematic foundation to the concept of “families”, and thirdly setting off positive permeability between the Social and the Capitalist Economy. It enables progress in the socialisation of capitalism.
Opportunities and constraints for local and subnational climate change policy in urban areas: insights from diverse contexts

Climate change became the centre of public concern in the last years. Many cities and urban areas are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Local governments play an important role in implementing climate change policies. This paper explores the key factors shaping climate change policy in terms of both enabling conditions for action and the barriers that many urban centres face in taking on the challenge of mitigating and adapting to climate change. It goes beyond the analysis of single case study and captures the diversity of alternatives and contexts of cities involvement in climate action worldwide based on a meta-analysis of 38 cities worldwide. Enabling elements such as good governance, democratic and participatory institutions, and availability of different types of resources, knowledge and information on what and how to act together with the presence of a local champion often appear supporting climate change policy making.
Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 1 and SOCS3 interact with and modulate fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling

Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling is transduced by the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade and the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are expressed in response to cytokine-inducible stimulation of STAT phosphorylation, acting in a negative-feedback mechanism to hinder the activities of these receptors. However, there are no data concerning the role of SOCS proteins in the regulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling. In the present study, we show that activation of FGFR in chondrocytes induces the expression of SOCS1 and SOCS3 mRNA, and that these proteins are constitutively associated with FGFR3, as demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation studies. Transfection of cells with FGFR3-GFP and SOCS1-CFP revealed their colocalization, clustered prominently in the perinuclear cytosolic part of the cell. The effect of the interaction between FGFR3 and SOCS1 on receptor activity was investigated in a chondrocytic cell line overexpressing SOCS1. In these cells, STAT1 phosphorylation is repressed, MAPK phosphorylation is elevated and prolonged, and FGFR3 downregulation is attenuated. Expression of osteopontin (OPN), which is directly upregulated by FGF in chondrocytes, was stimulated by lower levels of FGF in cells expressing SOCS1 compared with parental cells. Blocking of MAPK phosphorylation by PD98059 decreased OPN expression in both cell types, but this decrease was more marked in cells expressing SOCS1. The presented results suggest a novel interaction between the SOCS1 and SOCS3 proteins and the FGFR3 signaling pathway.
Index Insurance for Developing Countries

Unlike conventional insurance, which indemnifies policyholders for verifiable production losses arising from multiple perils, index insurance indemnifies policyholders based on the observed value of a specified 'index' or some other closely related variable that is highly correlated with losses. Index insurance exhibits lower transaction costs than conventional insurance, potentially making it more affordable to the poor in the developing world. However, it also offers less effective individual risk protection. This article provides a review of recent theoretical and empirical research on index insurance for developing countries and summarizes lessons learned from index insurance projects implemented in the developing world since 2000. Copyright 2012, Oxford University Press.
Those Taxes are all over the Map! A Test for Spatial Independence of Municipal Tax Rates in British Columbia

A test for spatial independence based on characteristic functions is introduced. The test is shown to be consistent against a fairly general class of alternatives, and the asymptotic distribution of the test statistic is determined. The test is then put to use in analyzing the spatial pattern of municipal property tax rates for the province of British Columbia. Results of the new test are compared with those of Moran's test on this data set. Some intriguing differences are found.
Lipoteichoic Acids from Lactobacillus Strains Elicit Strong Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Inducing Activities in Macrophages through Toll-Like Receptor 2

ABSTRACT Lactobacilli are nonpathogenic gram-positive inhabitants of microflora. At least some Lactobacillus strains have been postulated to have health beneficial effects, such as the stimulation of the immune system. Here we examined the stimulatory effects of lactobacilli on mouse immune cells. All six heat-killed Lactobacillus strains examined induced the secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) from mouse splenic mononuclear cells, albeit to various degrees. When fractionated subcellular fractions of Lactobacillus casei were tested for NF-κB activation and TNF-α production in RAW264.7, a mouse macrophage cell line, the activity was found to be as follows: protoplast > cell wall ≫ polysaccharide-peptidoglycan complex. Both crude extracts and purified lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) from two Lactobacillus strains, L. casei and L. fermentum, significantly induced TNF-α secretion from RAW264.7 cells and splenocytes of C57BL/6, C3H/HeN, and C3H/HeJ mice but not from splenocytes of C57BL/6 TLR2−/− mice. Lactobacillus LTA induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, in HEK293T cells transected with a combination of CD14 and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), NF-κB was activated in response to Lactobacillus LTA. Taken together, these data suggest that LTAs from lactobacilli elicit proinflammatory activities through TLR2.
A Note on the Determinants of the Outcomes of Bankruptcy Petitions: Evidence From Korea

This study provides evidence on the determinants of the outcomes of bankruptcy petitions using Korean firms for the period from 1977 to 1994. We hypothesize that a firm with more free assets, less liquid assets, longer existing period, larger size, lower operating risk, and more goodwill would have higher survival prospects from the bankruptcy petition. The results from logit estimation confirm this hypothesis. The free assets, existing period, firm size, and goodwill have positive influence on the probability of reorganization, while the liquid assets, and operating risk are negatively related to the probability of reorganization. Among these variables, the free assets percentage is the most significant at the one percent level in determining the outcomes of bankruptcy petitions. This reveals that a bankrupt firm with more free assets tends to be reorganized because it would be easy to obtain additional financing needed for the successful reorganization. The liquid assets and existing period are also significant at the five percent level. We conclude that a firm with more free assets, less liquid assets, and longer existing period would have higher survival prospects in Korea. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd 1999.
Influence of environmental humidity and dietary protein on pyramidal growth of carapaces in African spurred tortoises (Geochelone sulcata).

The carapaces of captive-raised tortoises (terrestrial chelonians of the zoological family Testudinidae, often develop pyramidal-shaped osseous growth centrally within the horny plates. With very few exceptions (e.g. Geochelone elegans, Psammobates sp.), this conical growth pattern is considered to be pathologic. This very common defect is believed to be an important indicator of the quality of captive tortoise management. This study was designed to examine the effect of dietary protein level and environmental humidity on the degree of pyramidal growth in the carapaces. Fifty recently hatched African spurred tortoises (G. sulcata) were raised for 5 months under artificial conditions of varying environmental humidity and dietary protein content (14% vs. 19% vs. 30% crude protein in dry matter). Humps of the carapaces that developed and blood values of calcium, phosphorus and haematocrit were measured and compared among groups. Dry environmental conditions (24.3-57.8% and 30.6-74.8% relative humidity) produced taller humps than humid conditions (45-99% relative humidity). Hump formation differed significantly (p < or = 0.001) between these three groups kept under different humidity conditions. Variable dietary protein had a minor, positive impact on this pathological formation of humps (pyramidal growth syndrome, PGS). Analysis of blood (calcium, phosphorus and haematocrit) offered no further explanation as to the development of the humps.
Morbidity from cancer in the United States.

In the face of rising levels of atmospheric contamination, the subject of radioactive fallout warrants the concern of today's public health worker and the populations he serves. It is kept alive through the press, radio, and television and in some instances, unfortunately, has been inaccurately interpreted. This summary report of the director of the Atomic Energy Commission's Division of Biology and Medicine was especially prepared for presentation at the Hearings on Fallout before the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, May 5-8, 1959. It is factual and yet interpretive for the benefit of those who are unfamiliar with day-to-day advances in the field. Twenty-seven pages constitute the body of the report, while the remaining 83 pages are devoted to supporting appendixes, individually authored by specialists. The report includes a valuable tabulation of AEC's program devoted to research into the nature and hazards of fallout. Health administrators and their lieutenants, and related workers in the biological realm would do well to add this document to their list of required reading. By so doing, they will be better informed on the nature and distribution of fallout, and on how and by whom pertinent studies are being conducted. They will benefit also from a lucid explanation of the problem of permissible levels of radiation exposure. Of particular significance is a statement in the text which points to the "paucity of relative information on man with respect to the effects of low dose and the low total doses which we are concerned with today. " Man's quest for new uses of atomic energy will require intensified research if man himself is to emerge the victor. It is patently clear that the double-edged sword of radiation must be under full control at all times, and that under the aegis of the Atomic Energy Commission some valuable contributions toward this end have been made. JAMIES LIEBERMIAN
Adaptive Model Predictive Control of an SCR Catalytic Converter System for Automotive Applications

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is coming into worldwide use for diesel engine emissions reduction of on- and off-highway vehicles. These applications are characterized by broad operating range as well as rapid and unpredictable changes in operating condition. Significant nonlinearity, input, and output constraints, and stringent performance requirements have led to the proposal of many different advanced control strategies. This article introduces a model predictive feedback controller based on a nonlinear, reduced order model. Computational effort is significantly reduced through successive linearization, analytical solutions, and a varying terminal cost function. A gradient-based parameter adaptation law is employed to achieve consistent performance. The controller is demonstrated in simulation for an on-highway heavy-duty diesel engine over two widely different emissions test cycles and for 24 different plants. Comparisons with baseline control designs reveal the attractive features as well as the limitations of this approach.
Development of reduced vancomycin susceptibility in methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND Most cases of reduced vancomycin susceptibility in Staphylococcus aureus reported in the literature have been in methicillin-resistant strains. We report the development of reduced vancomycin susceptibility in a series of clonally related, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) clinical isolates. This isogenic series permitted us to determine whether the evolution of reduced vancomycin susceptibility in MSSA is similar to that seen in MRSA. METHODS Differences in vancomycin population analysis profiles; chemical autolysis; vancomycin, oxacillin, and daptomycin minimum inhibitory concentrations; and bactericidal activities were examined. RESULTS Progressive vancomycin resistance correlated with increasing daptomycin nonsusceptibility. Chemical autolysis and the bactericidal activity of vancomycin, oxacillin, and daptomycin were reduced in the final, vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus isolate, compared with the vancomycin-susceptible MSSA progenitor. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians should recognize that reduced vancomycin susceptibility can occur in S. aureus irrespective of background methicillin susceptibility and that development of intermediate vancomycin susceptibility in MSSA may result in increased tolerance to several classes of anti-staphylococcal antibiotics.
Venues and Filters in Managed Migration Policy: The Case of the United Kingdom 1

The United Kingdom, like many developed world economies, has witnessed unprecedented immigration since the early 1990s. Also in line with other developed world economies, the United Kingdom has adopted a “managed migration” policy paradigm. The paper argues that the operation of this paradigm is best understood with reference to two key concepts: migration policy “venues” and migration policy “filters. ” In terms of the former, the paper argues that managed migration policy is associated with outward, upward, and downward rescaling and commensurate venue growth and diversification. In terms of the latter, the paper argues that six policy filters (legal, geographical, credential, transfer-based, monetary, and humanitarian) are commonly used to determine legitimate forms of migration but that one (the geographical filter) has been particularly prominent within the United Kingdom's managed migration policy paradigm.
On a Two-Sector Model of Economic Growth with Exhaustible Natural Resources

Recent contributions to the theory of economic growth with exhaustible natural resources are concerned mainly with deriving the optimal rate of depletion of a resource stock and with the problem of how to attain an equitable balance between present and future generations. Other theories are interested in whether a competitive market achieves efficient depletion of the exhaustible resources. These conclude that, to ensure efficiency of a competitive economy under conditions of perfect capital markets, it is required that individuals have perfect foresight, or there exist futures markets extending into an infinite future. The basic framework of these works is the one-sector model. The purpose of this paper is to extend the analysis to a two-sector model and to examine the effects of the depletion of exhaustible resources on the relative prices and the relative growth of each sector. An economy is considered in which consumption and investment goods are produced by separate production functions and using exhaustible natural resources in different intensities. The dynamic behavior of relative prices and the growth pattern of the economy are analyzed under assumptions of a constant-savings ratio, perfect capital markets, and perfect foresight. It is shown that the growth rates of the two sectorsmore » and the dynamic paths of the relative prices depend crucially on the initial stocks of capital and exhaustible resources, as well as the relative factor intensities of the two sectors. 11 references. « less
S-Warfarin Limited Sampling Models to Estimate Area Under the Concentration Versus Time Curve for Cytochrome P450 2C9 Baseline Activity and After Induction

Background: Phenotyping cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 activity using S-warfarin has routinely required extensive blood sampling over at least 96 hours after dose to estimate the area under the concentration time curve from zero to infinity (AUC). Alternatively, S-warfarin limited sampling models (LSMs) using one or 2 concentration timepoints have been proposed to estimate AUC. This study evaluated whether S-warfarin LSMs accurately estimate CYP2C9 baseline and induction conditions in healthy adults and in advanced-stage cancer patients. Methods: Plasma S-warfarin concentrations from healthy adults (n = 92) and in advanced-stage cancer patients (n = 22) were obtained from 6 published studies where a single 10 mg dose of oral warfarin was administered at CYP2C9 baseline and induction conditions. S-warfarin observed AUC was determined by noncompartmental analysis, whereas estimated AUC was calculated from the LSMs. Bias and precision were assessed by percent mean prediction error, percent mean absolute error, and percent root mean square error. Results: Different results were observed for S-warfarin LSMs in estimating CYP2C9 baseline activity, with most studies resulting in unacceptable bias and precision. The percent mean prediction error, percent mean absolute error, and/or percent root mean square error exceeded acceptable limits for LSMs in patients with advanced-stage cancer and during CYP2C9 induction with lopinavir/ritonavir. Conclusions: The differing results during CYP2C9 baseline conditions, as well as unacceptable bias and precision in patients with advanced cancer and during CYP2C9 induction, considerably limit the widespread use of previously published S-warfarin LSMs.
Should Acquiring Firms Pursue More than One Value Creation Strategy? An Empirical Test of Acquisition Performance

Drawing on the configuration literature, we argue that the deployment of different value creation strategies requires different and specific organizational structures, processes and implementation capabilities, and therefore corporate acquirers may be more successful if they adhere to a single value creation strategy. We test our argument within a sample of 130 horizontal European acquisitions and find that those which employed a single value creating strategy of either reconfiguration or leverage performed significantly better than those which sought to implement both reconfiguration and leverage simultaneously. In addition to lending empirical support to the configuration argument our results provide implications for both acquiring firm executives and future researchers.