Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fetal alcohol-related growth restriction from birth through young adulthood and moderating effects of maternal prepregnancy weight.

BACKGROUND Fetal alcohol-related growth restriction persists through infancy, but its impact later in life is less clear. Animal studies have demonstrated important roles for maternal nutrition in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, but the impact of prenatal maternal body composition has not been studied in humans. This study examined the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on longitudinal growth from birth through young adulthood and the degree to which maternal weight and body mass index (BMI) moderate these effects. METHODS Nearly 480 mothers were recruited at their first prenatal clinic visit to overrepresent moderate-to-heavy use of alcohol during pregnancy, including a 5% random sample of low-level drinkers and abstainers. They were interviewed at every prenatal visit about their alcohol consumption using a timeline follow-back approach. Their children were examined for weight, length/height, and head circumference at birth, 6.5 and 13 months, and 7.5, 14, and 19 years. RESULTS In multiple regression models with repeated measures (adjusted for confounders), prenatal alcohol exposure was associated with longitudinal reductions in weight, height, and weight-for-length/BMI that were largely determined at birth. At low-to-moderate levels of exposure, these effects were more severe in infancy than in later childhood. By contrast, effects persisted among children whose mothers drank at least monthly and among those born to women with alcohol abuse and/or dependence who had consumed ≥ 4 drinks/occasion. In addition, effects on weight, height, and head circumference were markedly stronger among children born to mothers with lower prepregnancy weight. CONCLUSIONS These findings confirm prior studies demonstrating alcohol-related reductions in weight, height, weight-for-height/BMI, and head circumference that persist through young adulthood. Stronger effects were seen among children born to mothers with smaller prepregnancy weight, which may have been because of attainment of higher blood alcohol concentrations in smaller mothers for a given amount of alcohol intake or to increased vulnerability in infants born to women with poorer nutrition.
On Implications of Micro Price Data for Macro Models

We review the recent literature that studies new, detailed micro data on prices. We discuss implications of the new micro data for macro models. We argue that the new micro data are helpful for macro models, but not decisive. There is no simple mapping from the frequency of price changes in micro data to impulse responses of prices and quantities to shocks. We discuss ideas that promise to deliver macro models matching the impulse responses seen in macro data while being broadly in line with micro data.
Functional reconstruction of bovine P450scc steroidogenic system in Escherichia coli

Mammalian cytochrome P450scc enzyme system catalyzes the initial step in steroid hormone biosynthesis—cholesterol hydroxylation followed by cleavage of the side-chain to yield pregnenolone. This system consists of three components—the cytochrome P450scc (CYP11A1), a flavoprotein (NADPH-adrenodoxin reductase, AdR) and an iron-sulfur protein (adrenodoxin, Adx). In this work, the three-component electron transport chain (AdR/Adx/CYP11A1) from bovine adrenal cortex has been implemented in Escherichia coli by co-expression of the corresponding coding sequences from a tricistronic plasmid. The cDNAs of AdR, Adx and CYP11A1 are situated in a single transcription unit and separated by ribosome binding sequences. The recombinant strain created was capable of synthesizing functional proteins identical to the bovine CYP11A1, AdR and Adx on molecular weights and immuno-specificity. The experiments in vivo showed pregnenolone production from cholesterol by the transformed bacteria. Maximal productivity of 0.42 ± 0.015 mg/l pregnenolone for 24 h has been reached for the induced cells in the presence of cholesterol solubilizing agent—methyl-β-cyclodextrin. Thus, a stable transgenic E. coli strain with the functional reconstructed bovine cholesterol side-chain cleavage system has been firstly generated in this work. The findings are of importance for studies of mammalian steroidogenic system features, and may open some perspectives for further generation of novel microbial biocatalysts.
Regional development and knowledge-based factors in European Union NUTS 2 regions: a structural equation modelling

This paper examines the relationships among regional development and knowledge-based factors applying a structural equation modelling (SEM). The object of investigation is a large sample of European Union (EU) NUTS 2 regions. The insights confirm the strategic relevance of the knowledge-based factors for the regional development, but they seem to suggest that it is the regional development that drives the attraction and the absorption of critical knowledge resources that, in turn, virtuously support renewed development dynamics.
Induction of Remission is Difficult due to Frequent Relapse during Tapering Steroids in Korean Patients with Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disease affecting elderly and involving the shoulder and pelvic girdles. No epidemiological study of polymyalgia rheumatica was conducted in Korea. We retrospectively evaluated patients with polymyalgia rheumatica followed up at the rheumatology clinics of 10 tertiary hospitals. In total 51 patients, 36 patients (70.6%) were female. Age at disease onset was 67.4 yr. Twenty-three patients (45.1%) developed polymyalgia rheumatica in winter. Shoulder girdle ache was observed in 45 patients (90%) and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (> 40 mm/h) in 49 patients (96.1%). Initial steroid dose was 23.3 mg/d prednisolone equivalent. Time to normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 4.1 months. Only 8 patients (15.7%) achieved remission. Among 41 patients followed up, 28 patients (68.3%) had flare at least once. Number of flares was 1.5 ± 1.6. The frequency of flare was significantly lower in patients with remission (P = 0.02). In Korea, polymyalgia rheumatica commonly develops during winter. Initial response to steroid is fairly good, but the prognosis is not benign because remission is rare with frequent relapse requiring long-term steroid treatment.
Industrial location and economic potential in Western Europe

Clark C. , Wilson F. and Bradley J. (1969) Industrial location and economic potential in Western Europe, Reg. Studies 3, 197–212. Economic potentials were calculated for Western Europe by taking regional incomes and costs of distance between all regions in order to measure each region's attraction for manufacturing industry under various sets of conditions. Separate centres of high potential were found before the Customs Union, but afterwards, a single European centre was formed comprising of regions in the Rhine valley of West Germany, south-cast Netherlands and eastern Belgium. An enlarged Common Market and transport developments did not alter the general pattern although the potentials increased more in the centre than in the periphery. Britain, despite assumed membership of the EEC, remained outside the most attractive region in all cases considered. An analysis of employment indicated that the greatest growth had occurred in regions where the potential had risen most (Belgium and the Netherlands) foll.
Experimental disclosure and its moderators: a meta-analysis.

Disclosing information, thoughts, and feelings about personal and meaningful topics (experimental disclosure) is purported to have various health and psychological consequences (e.g., J. W. Pennebaker, 1993). Although the results of 2 small meta-analyses (P. G. Frisina, J. C. Borod, & S. J. Lepore, 2004; J. M. Smyth, 1998) suggest that experimental disclosure has a positive and significant effect, both used a fixed effects approach, limiting generalizability. Also, a plethora of studies on experimental disclosure have been completed that were not included in the previous analyses. One hundred forty-six randomized studies of experimental disclosure were collected and included in the present meta-analysis. Results of random effects analyses indicate that experimental disclosure is effective, with a positive and significant average r-effect size of . 075. In addition, a number of moderators were identified.
Influencing foreign subsidiary decisions through headquarter performance measurement systems

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the ability of performance measurement systems (PMS) that were implemented by headquarters at foreign subsidiaries to influence decisions made by the subsidiary. This is important because PMS are important control mechanisms in the relationship between headquarters and subsidiaries within multinational firms.Design/methodology/approach – Acknowledging that controlling foreign subsidiaries is particularly challenging when they are geographically distant to headquarters, the authors collect survey‐based data from Chinese subsidiaries of multinational firms. They develop several hypotheses which are tested on a sample of 148 subsidiaries using multiple regression analysis.Findings – The results suggest that the influence of headquarter‐designed PMS on subsidiary decisions is higher when the compensation of subsidiary management is linked to PMS, when additional formal control is enforced, when PMS are affected by external events, when PMS are comprehensive, and when s.
Regulation of mature T lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation by Par‐4

The genetic inactivation of the atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) inhibitor, Par‐4, gives rise to increased NF‐κB activation and decreased stimulation of JNK in embryo fibroblasts. Here we have characterized the immunological phenotype of the Par‐4−/− mice and found that the loss of this gene leads to an increased proliferative response of peripheral T cells when challenged through the TCR. This is accompanied by a higher increase in cell cycle entry and inhibition of apoptosis, with enhanced IL‐2 secretion but normal CD25 synthesis. Interestingly, the TCR‐triggered activation of NF‐κB was augmented and that of JNK was severely abrogated. Consistent with previous data from knock outs of different JNKs, NFATc1 activation and IL‐4 secretion were augmented in the Par‐4‐deficient CD4+ T cells, suggesting that the loss of Par‐4 drives T‐cell differentiation towards a Th2 response. This is compelling evidence that Par‐4 is a novel modulator of the immune response through its ability to impact aPKC activity, which translates into lower JNK signaling.
A REVIEW ON SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRATION: VERTICAL AND FUNCTIONAL PERSPECTIVE AND INTEGRATION MODELS

This paper reviews a sample of the literature relating to vertical and functional perspectives toward supply chain integration as well as integration models. Considering the extensive amount of literature on supply chain integration, it appears that it is still in its infancy. Although the need for integration is pointed out by both academic and industrial experts, little works has been carried out in terms of developing a comprehensive integration system. This study reviews a sample of recent and classic literature, and in doing so throw light on different aspects of supply chain integration. It discusses and criticizes the current state of literature on this context so that future researches find directions to contribute to missing points and remove obstacles. The scope of this review is limited to a cross-section of the literature in this area. As such, it cannot, and does not, attempt to be an examination of the full range of the literature, but a sampling of important and influential works.DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.em. 18.2. 2968
Science, economics and the design of agricultural conservation programmes in the US

Conservation programmes in the US have emphasised retirement of land from crop production as a mechanism for achieving multiple environmental benefits. Several features of these programmes, such as their eligibility criteria, participation incentives and length of contract, influence the performance of these programmes and their ease of implementation. The design of these programmes has evolved over time in an effort to increase environmental benefits while lowering costs. This paper reviews the key features of land retirement programmes in the US and their implications for programme effectiveness. In particular, it examines the potential benefits from spatial targeting of programme participants, linking contract length to the ecological services being targeted and relying more on science-based models for improving programme outcomes. Targeted land management focuses conservation practices on those portions of the landscape where they will achieve the greatest gains in environmental quality using limited programme budgets. The scientific basis for targeting conservation efforts is improving through better understanding of ecological and hydrological processes; however, better guidelines need to be developed to incorporate this understanding in developing decision support tools that local programme administrators can use effectively.
Upsetting Events and Career Investments in the Russian Context

In this paper we examine the role of disruptive or upsetting events in people's professional lives and explore how they influence individuals' investments in their careers. Based on previous research we have assumed that due to considerable societal and economic changes in Russia and the reported negative consequences felt by many individuals, the context of that country is a fruitful arena for an investigation of the role of upsetting events on individuals' careers. At the same time, despite the negative events and a disruption of many traditional career-supporting structures, a significant number of Russians managed to reinvent their careers and achieve tremendous objective and subjective success in their careers in a relatively short time period. This paper examines stories about career investments of 140 successful entrepreneurs from Russia. A significant portion of these people explicitly reported influence of upsetting events on their own career investments. Based on the exploration of career stories, the paper introduced a typology of the upsetting events in the Russian context. The events were generally classified into those that represented “macro” and “micro” upsetting events. Macro events refer to changes in socio-economic, and political systems. Micro events refer to the events that only concern the individual him- or herself, or may include events at work or at home. Our analysis of the career investments of the Russian entrepreneurs using the intelligent career concept shows that when faced with the upsetting events individuals tend to (a) reconsider their existing events, (b) divest from their old ways of knowing, and (c) invest in relatively new ways of knowing. Our study calls a particular attention to the role of career divestments, or discontinuing certain ways of investing in order free resources for a different investment expected to be more fruitful in terms or returns. Attention to divestment may be warranted due to the increased unpredictability of working lives of today's career actors. This study contributes to responding to a call for a better understanding of the role of upsetting events on people’s careers and the society at large. We also bring further our understanding of human adjustment to the sometimes upsetting changes in their surroundings through working life, thus enhancing our understanding of the role of careers in socio-economic systems. Last but not least, the study also contributes to a better understanding of careers in modern Russia. With the increasing role of Russia on the international political and economic arena, understanding people through looking at their working lives is a good start for multiple potential research endeavors in the fields of career research and beyond.
Is it Easier to Escape from Low Pay in Urban Areas? Evidence from the United Kingdom

In this paper we compare periods of low-paid employment between urban and rural areas in the United Kingdom. Using the British household panel survey, we estimate the probability that a period of low-paid employment will end, followed by a number of possible outcomes, namely a higher-paid job, self-employment, unemployment, and leaving the labour force. The results show that there are statistically significant differences in the dynamics of low pay across urban and rural labour markets, particularly in terms of exits to higher pay and out of the labour force. After controlling for different personal and job characteristics across markets, urban low-pay durations are somewhat shorter on average, with a higher probability of movement to a higher-paid job. The results suggest that any urban–rural differences in the typical low-pay experience are concentrated among certain types of individuals, such as young workers and women without qualifications.
Ethnic Diversity and Organizational Performance: Assessing Diversity Effects at the Managerial and Street Levels

ABSTRACT As the public sector workforce becomes more ethnically diverse and as government agencies make attempts to manage that diversity, the importance of understanding how diversity affects workplace interactions and work-related outcomes increases. Little public-sector research has examined the impact of diversity on performance outcomes. This article seeks to fill this gap by studying the effects of the ethnic diversity of managers and street level public officials on work-related outcomes. We use basic in-group/out-group theories from psychology to formulate research questions relating diversity and performance, along with empirical research on the effects of diversity on work-related outcomes. We then use data from schools to test the relationship between ethnic diversity and organizational performance, identifying different impacts for managerial diversity and diversity among teachers. Results are consistent across three different models: manager diversity is routinely non-significant in predicting organizational performance, while teacher diversity has a consistently significant, and negative, impact on performance. These findings suggest that process-oriented problems are causing diverse organizations to experience drawbacks instead of gains, and that any benefit that could be drawn from a diversity of viewpoints is overshadowed by communication and collaboration problems.
Outside Directors and CEO Selection

Abstract This paper documents a strong positive relation between the percentage of outside directors and the frequency of outside CEO succession. The likelihood that an executive from outside the firm is appointed CEO increases monotonically with the percentage of outside directors. This monotonic relation is observed for both voluntary and forced departures. Evidence from stock returns around succession announcements indicates that, on average, shareholders benefit from outside appointments, but are harmed when an insider replaces a fired CEO.
Cholera toxin and Escherichia coli enterotoxin B‐subunits inhibit macrophage‐mediated antigen processing and presentation: evidence for antigen persistence in non‐acidic recycling endosomal compartments

Cholera toxin (Ctx) and the closely related Escherichia coli heat‐labile enterotoxin (Etx) not only act as mediators of diarrhoeal disease but also exert potent immunomodulatory properties on mammalian immune systems. The toxins normally exert their diarrhoeagenic effects by initiating receptor‐mediated uptake into vesicles that enter a retrograde trafficking pathway, circumventing degradative compartments and targeting them to the trans‐Golgi network (TGN) and endoplasmic reticulum. Here, we examine whether receptor‐mediated binding and cellular entry by the toxin B‐subunits also lead to concomitant changes in uptake and trafficking of exogenous antigens that could contribute to the potent immunomodulatory properties of these toxins. Treatment of the macrophage (J774.2) cell line with Etx B‐subunit (EtxB) resulted in EtxB transport to the TGN and also led to the formation of large, translucent, non‐acidic, EtxB‐devoid vacuoles. When exogenous antigens were added, EtxB‐treated cells were found to be proficient in both internalization of ovalbumin (OVA) and phagocytosis of bacterial particles. However, the internalized OVA, instead of trafficking along a lysosome‐directed endocytic pathway via acidified endosomes, persisted in a non‐acidic, light‐density compartment that was distinct from the translucent vacuoles. The rerouted OVA did not co‐localize with the endosomal markers rab5 or rab11, nor with EtxB, but was retained in a transferrin receptor‐positive compartment. The failure of OVA to enter the late endosomal/lysosomal compartments correlated with a striking inhibition of OVA peptide processing and presentation to OVA‐responsive CD4+ T‐cells. CtxB also modulated OVA trafficking and inhibited antigen presentation. These findings demonstrate that the B‐subunits of Ctx and Etx alter the progression of exogenous antigens along the endocytic processing pathway, and prevent or delay efficient epitope presentation and T‐cell stimulation. The formation of such ‘antigen depots’ could contribute to the immunomodulatory properties of these bacterial virulence determinants.
Frequencies of ABO, MNSs, and Duffy Phenotypes Among Blood Donors and Malaria Patients from Four Brazilian Amazon Areas

ABSTRACT We compared the serological phenotypic frequencies of ABO, MNSs, and Duffy in 417 blood donors and 309 malaria patients from four Brazilian Amazon areas. Our results suggest no correlation between ABO phenotype and malaria infection in all areas studied. We observed significant correlation between the S+s+, S+s−, and S−s+ phenotypes and malaria infection in three areas. Some of the Duffy phenotypes showed significant correlation between donors and malaria patients in different areas. These data are an additional contribution to the establishment of differential host susceptibility to malaria.
How Do Slack Resources Affect the Relationship between R&D Expenditures and Firm Performance?

Research and development (R&D) investment affects future operating earnings. Behavioral theory claims that slack resources benefit innovation, whereas agency theory argues that they represent a form of inefficiency and inhibit innovation. This paper thus examines how slack resources affect the relationship between R&D investments and firm performance based on two dimensions of R&D: R&D capital and R&D expenses. R&D capital captures long-term R&D investment, whereas R&D expenses represent R&D investment in the current year. This study is undertaken in Taiwan using a large 5-year dataset within high-tech industries. Slack resources are broadly classified into absorbed slack with low managerial discretion and unabsorbed slack with high managerial discretion. We find that absorbed slack negatively affects the relationship between R&D investments and performance, as proposed by agency theory. We further find that unabsorbed slack has a slightly curvilinear effect on the positive relationship between R&D capital and firm performance. The proposal of behavioral theory thus is more valid when focusing on unabsorbed slack resources. Our findings suggest that it is necessary to identify the types of slack and R&D investments that are being considered when discussing the impacts of R&D investment on performance.