Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Involvement of alphavbeta5 integrin-mediated activation of latent transforming growth factor beta1 in autocrine transforming growth factor beta signaling in systemic sclerosis fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE To confirm the involvement of alphavbeta5 in the self-activation system in systemic sclerosis (SSc) fibroblasts. METHODS Levels of alphavbeta5 expression were analyzed by immunoprecipitation. The promoter activity of the human alpha2(I) collagen gene was determined by transient transfection assay. Phosphorylation levels and DNA binding ability of Smad3 were investigated by immunoprecipitation and DNA affinity precipitation, respectively. The localization of active transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) was determined by coculture assay using TMLC cells (mink lung epithelial reporter cells that stably express a portion of the plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 promoter). The morphologic features of cells were determined by immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS Levels of alphavbeta5 expression were significantly elevated in SSc fibroblasts compared with normal fibroblasts. Treatment with anti-alphavbeta5 antibody or beta5 antisense oligonucleotide significantly reduced human alpha2(I) collagen gene promoter activity in SSc fibroblasts. In SSc fibroblasts pretreated with TGFbeta1 antisense oligonucleotide, the exogenous latent TGFbeta1 stimulation significantly increased human alpha2(I) collagen gene promoter activity; this effect was significantly reduced in the presence of anti-alphavbeta5 antibody. Phosphorylation levels and DNA binding ability of Smad3 in SSc fibroblasts were significantly reduced by treatment with beta5 antisense oligonucleotide. The luciferase activity of TMLC cells cocultured with SSc fibroblasts was significantly elevated compared with that of TMLC cells cocultured with normal fibroblasts and was significantly reduced in the presence of anti-alphavbeta5 antibody. Anti-alphavbeta5 antibody reversed the myofibroblastic features of SSc fibroblasts. CONCLUSION Up-regulated expression of alphavbeta5 contributes to the establishment of autocrine TGFbeta signaling in SSc fibroblasts through activation of endogenous latent TGFbeta1.
African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) subsidiarity and the Horn of Africa: the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

Subsidiarity has been proposed as the main principle for governing inter-institutional relationships within APSA, between the African Union (AU) and sub-regional organisations (SRO), and between the AU (as the central body of APSA) and the United Nations (UN). The subsidiarity principle entails three elements: a decision-making mechanism, the division of labour and burden sharing. But there is a lack of consensus on how these are to be implemented (African Union, 2012).
Topotecan/Cisplatin Compared with Cisplatin/Etoposide as First-Line Treatment for Patients with Extensive Disease Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Final Results of a Randomized Phase III Trial

Introduction: This phase III study compared efficacy and safety of topotecan-cisplatin (TP) versus topotecan-etoposide (TE) versus cisplatin-etoposide (PE) in chemo-naïve extensive disease small-cell lung cancer patients. Methods: Seven hundred and ninety-five previously untreated patients were randomly assigned to TP (topotecan 1mg/m2 IV, d1–5; cisplatin 75mg/m2 IV, d5; n = 358), PE (cisplatin 75 mg/m2 IV, d1; etoposide 100 mg/m2 IV, d1–3; n = 345) or TE (topotecan 1mg/m2 IV, d1–5; etoposide 80 mg/m2 IV, d3–5; n = 92). Primary endpoint was superiority of TP compared with PE, with the possibility to switch to a noninferiority test. Results: The TE arm was closed after recommendations by the Independent Data Safety Monitoring Board. Median survival was similar and met the predefined endpoint of noninferiority of TP to PE (44.9 versus 40.9 weeks; p = 0.40). One-year survival rate showed 39.7% for TP versus 36.1% for PE (p = 0.29). Median time to progression was significantly longer with TP (27.4 versus 24.3 weeks, p = 0.01). Overall response rates were significantly higher for TP (55.5% versus 45.5%, p = 0.01). Hematologic toxicity was slightly higher for TP regarding G 3/4 neutropenia (35.7/35.8%), G 3/4 thrombocytopenia (18.7/4.8%), G 3/4 anemia (11.6/6.7%), febrile neutropenia (2.0/2.7%), sepsis (1.7/1.2%), and toxicity-related deaths (5.2/2.7%). Conclusion: TP is noninferior to PE in overall survival and superior in time to progression and overall response rates. Because of slightly worse toxicity profile TP is not a first-line standard treatment for patients with extensive disease small-cell lung cancer.
The Effectiveness of Voluntary Environmental Programs—A Policy at a Crossroads?

Voluntary environmental programs (VEPs) have been used as a policy tool in the United States since the early 1990s and come in many forms. Early assessments of VEPs targeting changes in production processes showed that industrial participants improved their environmental performance and VEPs were celebrated as a viable alternative to more traditional regulation. Recent analyses using more sophisticated techniques, however, paint a less favorable picture. On the one hand, firms appear willing to sign up to VEPs, and in some cases, participants may be able to create a shield against future losses in shareholder value. On the other hand, these VEPs targeting production processes appear not to generate significant pollution abatement. The latter finding is particularly disturbing and this article discusses various explanations, including institutional failure and participant motivations. Future research needs to focus on understanding the firm motivation to invest in production-related pollution abatement under a VEP. For policymakers, the research offers a warning on the limited impact to date of VEPs targeting production processes. However, the multitude of other VEPs, such as those which target new product development and changing market demands, merit a closer look to determine the overall potential of VEPs to engender positive environmental change.
Circular Framing: A Model for Applying Bolman and Deal’s Four Frames in Student Affairs Administration

Administrators in student affairs navigate bureaucracies, manage staff, advocate for resources, and lead with purpose (Sermersheim & Keim, 2005). Nonetheless, scholars note research concerning student affairs management and leadership remains underemphasized in the current literature (Lovell & Kosten, 2000; Carpenter & Stimpson, 2007). Few models in student affairs exist to help translate theory to practice. Bolman and Deal’s (2013) four frames encourage leaders to view organizations through structural, human resource, political, and symbolic lenses. The four frames synthesize decades of literature on organizational theory and are frequently cited in higher education and student affairs publications. Previous scholarship, however, does not provide a model for applying the frames in student affairs administration. This paper proposes the Circular Framing Model-a model for administrative practice combining Bolman and Deal’s four frames with Birnbaum’s (1988) ideas of thinking in systems and circles. This model helps student affairs professionals critically evaluate their environments to lead and manage more effectively.
The Role of Exports and Foreign Capital in Latin American Economic Growth

New statistical evidence from Latin America and based on an adaptation of the Cherney-Strout two-gap model is used to define how economic growth and investment levels relate to exports and the flow of foreign capital. The modified model breaks down foreign capital considerations to include supplies, long-term relationships, and the effect of export growth on economic growth. The need for further studies is noted, although policy implications are clear that either an increase in exports or an increase in inflows from foreign private investment or other foreign capital will lead to higher economic growth rates. 16 references. (DCK)
Relative Attribute SVM+ Learning for Age Estimation

When estimating age, human experts can provide privileged information that encodes the facial attributes of aging, such as smoothness, face shape, face acne, wrinkles, and bags under-eyes. In automatic age estimation, privileged information is unavailable to test images. To overcome this problem, we hypothesize that asymmetric information can be explored and exploited to improve the generalizability of the trained model. Using the learning using privileged information (LUPI) framework, we tested this hypothesis by carefully defining relative attributes for support vector machine (SVM+) to improve the performance of age estimation. We term this specific setting as relative attribute SVM+ (raSVM+), in which the privileged information enables separation of outliers from inliers at the training stage and effectively manipulates slack variables and age determination errors during model training, and thus guides the trained predictor toward a generalizable solution. Experimentally, the superiority of raSVM+ was confirmed by comparing it with state-of-the-art algorithms on the face and gesture recognition research network (FG-NET) and craniofacial longitudinal morphological face aging databases. raSVM+ is a promising development that improves age estimation, with the mean absolute error reaching 4.07 on FG-NET.
On Testing for the Stability of the Net Discount Rate

It has become increasingly common for forensic economists to utilize a net discount rate approach in establishing the present value of future earnings losses. ~ The attractive feature of this approach is that its application avoids the necessity of making individual forecasts of future earnings and interest rates. The validity of this approach, however, is predicated upon the existence of a stable long-run equilibrium relationship between earnings growth and interest rates over time. The empirical relationship between earnings growth and interest rates has been subjected to extensive examination (see Pelfiez, 1991; Nowak, 1991; Lewis, 1991; and Carpenter et al., 1986 among others). Unfortunately, testing for the existence of a stable long relationship between earnings growth and interest rates is complicated by the fact that, like many other economic time series, these series may contain unit roots. 2 The specific complication is that if two series contain unit roots they may be highly correlated over a finite sample period even though no long-run equilibrium relationship between the series exists (Granger and Newbold, 1974). Thus even though two series may appear to be highly correlated, the correlation is in fact spurious. In the presence of unit roots, the appropriate test for the existence of a long-run equilibrium relationship between the series is a test of cointegration (Engle and Granger, 1987) rather than a test of correlation. To date, there is little evidence concerning whether time series on earnings growth and interest rates are cointegrated. 3 If the series are in fact cointegrated this implies the existence of a stable long-run equilibrium relationship between the two variables. This result, in turn, implies that it is valid to calculate and use a net discount rate based upon historical data on earnings growth rates and interest rates. Lack of cointegration, on the
Volatility contagion across commodity, equity, foreign exchange and Treasury bond markets

Over the last years, the Chicago Board of Options Exchange (CBOE) has launched a set of implied volatility indices based on new asset classes following the success of equity-based volatility indices. Using some of the newly created volatility indices, this study shows that evidence of implied volatility transmission across commodity, equity, foreign exchange and Treasury bond markets cannot be accounted for by news announcements on economic fundamentals, suggesting volatility contagion. The findings are robust over the recent financial crisis period and the post-crisis period.
Application of Perception-Promotion Matrix Model—The Case of Kaohsiung City

ABSTRACT While a substantial amount of destination image research has been performed, few researchers have explored image perception gaps between tourists and government promotions. This study examines the perception gap between blogs and destination marketing organizations (DMOs) promotions by introducing a four-quadrant diagnostic tool: the Perception-Promotion Matrix (PPM). This case study collected data from 168 domestic and 64 international blogs, and 70 Chinese and 36 English official Kaohsiung City promotional websites to investigate image gap. The findings revealed significant “Tourist Infrastructure” image perception gaps, both from domestic and international traveler perspectives. The PPM suggests Kaohsiung City DMOs successfully promote an image of culture by hosting events and festivals. However, analysis indicates failure on the part of these DMOs to promote an image of Kaohsiung as an Ocean capital. Recommendations resulting from this study are provided for Kaohsiung City DMO consideration.
Dose reduction in multidetector CT using attenuation-based online tube current modulation.

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to quantify the radiation dose saved by attenuation-based online tube current modulation applied to multidetector CT (MDCT) of the adult trunk as a function of effective milliampere-second (mAs) presets, sex, and body habitus. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. One hundred twenty patients underwent MDCT of the trunk (60 thoracic, 60 abdominal) with an attenuation-based online tube current modulation. Consecutive acquisitions at standard and two lower effective mAs presets were obtained in each patient. Mean percentage effective mAs reductions were compared for each effective mAs preset, taking into account sex and body mass index. RESULTS Mean effective mAs reduction was 16.9% and 20.0% for the chest and the abdomen, respectively. Mean percentage effective mAs reductions were found to be significantly different for sex (chest, p = 0.003; abdomen, p = 0.002) but not significantly different for the different effective mAs presets or body mass index. CONCLUSION Attenuation-based online tube current modulation used with MDCT should be considered as a secondary tool of radiation dose reduction because it saves as much as 20% of the radiation dose on the adult trunk, regardless of initial mAs preset. However, initial decreases of mAs presets by the physician should be considered the primary tool for radiation dose reduction.
Participation of sperm proteasome in fertilization of the phlebobranch ascidian Ciona intestinalis

Sperm proteasomes are thought to be involved in sperm binding to and in sperm penetration through the vitelline coat of the eggs of the stolidobranch ascidian Halocynthia roretzi. However, it is not known whether they are involved in the fertilization of eggs of other ascidians. Therefore, we investigated whether sperm proteasomes are also involved in the fertilization of the eggs of the primitive phlebobranch ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Fertilization of the eggs of C. intestinalis was potently inhibited by the proteasome inhibitors MG115 and MG132 but not by the cysteine protease inhibitor E‐64‐d. On the other hand, neither fertilization of the vitelline coat‐free eggs nor sperm binding to the vitelline coat was inhibited by the two proteasome inhibitors at a concentration sufficient to inhibit fertilization of intact eggs. These results indicate that the proteasome plays an essential role in sperm penetration through the vitelline coat rather than in sperm binding to the coat or in sperm‐egg membrane fusion. The proteasome activity, which was detected in the sperm extract using Suc‐Leu‐Leu‐Val‐Tyr‐MCA as a substrate, was strongly inhibited by both MG115 and MG132, and was weakly inhibited by chymostatin, whereas neither leupeptin nor E‐64‐d inhibited the activity. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 600‐kDa by Superose 12 gel filtration, and the activity in sperm extract was immunoprecipitated with an anti‐proteasome antibody. These results indicate that the proteasome present in sperm of C. intestinalis is involved in fertilization, especially in the process of sperm penetration through the vitelline coat, probably functioning as a lysin. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 50:493–498, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of early dexamethasone therapy on pulmonary mechanics and chronic lung disease in very low birth weight infants: a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To determine the changes in pulmonary mechanics before and during early dexamethasone therapy, and to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone on the duration of mechanical ventilation in very low birth weight (VLBW) ventilator-dependent infants at risk for chronic lung disease (CLD). METHODS A prospective randomized trial was conducted. Forty-three patients (birth weight 600 to 1500 g, gestational age 24 to 32 weeks) who failed to be weaned from the respirator at 7 to 14 days of age were enrolled; 23 infants received a 7-day course of dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg/day intravenously for 3 days, 0.25 mg/kg/day for 3 days, and 0.1 mg/kg/day for 1 day), and 20 patients were in the control group. At similar mean airway pressure (MAP) and fractional inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2), respiratory system mechanics were measured before and on days 2, 5, and 7 of the study. Airway pressure, flow and tidal volume (VT) were recorded and only mechanical breaths were analyzed. Respiratory compliance (Crs) and respiratory resistance (Rrs) were calculated by two factor least mean square analysis. RESULTS Eighty-three percent of infants in the dexamethasone group and 90% in the control group received surfactant in the first 24 hours of life. There was a significant increase in Crs and VT in the dexamethasone group as compared with the control group (P < .001). No major changes in Rrs were observed. Dexamethasone therapy significantly decreased FiO2 and MAP P < . 001) and facilitated successful weaning from mechanical ventilation. In addition to a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation (P < .01), the occurrence of CLD (FiO2 > 0.21 at 36 weeks of corrected gestational age, chest radiograph changes) was significantly decreased in the dexamethasone group (P < .01). Except for a transient increase in blood pressure and serum glucose, there were no significant differences in infection rates, intraventricular hemorrhage, or retinopathy of prematurity. Thirteen patients in the control group received dexamethasone at a later age. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that: 1) early dexamethasone therapy in VLBW infants markedly improves respiratory compliance and tidal volume, reduces FiO2 and MAP requirements, and facilitates extubation in these infants; 2) early dexamethasone therapy reduces the duration of mechanical ventilation and decreases CLD (at 28 days and 36 weeks) in a population of VLBW infants largely treated with surfactant.
The impact of auditor independence regulations on established and emerging firms

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to study whether auditor independence reforms introduced in 2004 led to an enhancement in earnings quality in the post-reform era. Design/methodology/approach - – This study predicts that as the cost of compliance will vary based on a firm's existing corporate governance regime and the level of external scrutiny (monitoring) it faces, we compare the earnings quality of a sample of “established” (SP while this was not the case for emerging firms. The evidence also suggests that corporate governance mechanisms of board independence and board financial skill are associated with higher earnings quality; while the higher the concentration of insider firm ownership is associated with lower earnings quality. Practical implications - – This study provides policy makers with evidence as to changes in reporting behaviour following law reform aimed at strengthening auditor independence. Originality/value - – The studies on earnings quality are informed by the US market practices. Australia provides a unique setting through its auditor independence reforms to examine the impact of reform choices. This study also investigates two specific subsets of the market: established firms and emerging firms.
Adjustment Costs and Irreversibility as Determinants of Investment: Evidence from African Manufacturing

Abstract In this paper we investigate if the predictions of three different models of capital adjustment costs are consistent with the observed investment patterns among manufacturing firms in five African countries. We document a high frequency of zero investment episodes, which is consistent with both fixed adjustment costs and irreversibility and inconsistent with quadratic adjustment costs. We model the decision to invest using a dynamic discrete choice model and find evidence of irreversibility and not fixed costs. We finally model the investment rate as a function of the size of the capital disequilibrium. The results confirm that irreversibility is an important factor affecting the investment behaviour of African manufacturing firms. Some implications of this finding are discussed.
Multiscale behavior of crack initiation and growth in piezoelectric ceramics

The multiscale nature of cracking in ferroelectric ceramics is explored in relation to the crack growth enhancement and retardation behavior when the direction of applied electric ®eld is reversed with reference to that of poling. An a priori knowledge of the prevailing fracture behavior is invoked for the energy dissipated in exchange of the macroand micro-crack surface. To avoid the formalism of developing a two-scale level model, a single dominant crack is considered where the eect of microcracking could be re ̄ected by stable crack growth prior to macro-crack instability. This is accounted for via a length ratio parameter k. Microand macro-crack damage region would necessarily overlap in the simpli®ed approach of applying equilibrium mechanics solutions to dierent scale ranges that are connected only on the average over space and time. The strain energy density theory is applied to determine the crack growth segments for conditions of positive, negative and zero electric ®eld. The largest and smallest crack segments were found to correspond, respectively, to the positive and negative ®eld. All of the three piezoceramics PZT-4, PZT5H and P-7 followed such a trend. This removes the present-day controversy arising from the use of the energy release rate concept that yields results independent of the sign of the electric ®eld. Interaction of non-similar crack growth with the direction of electric ®eld is also discussed in relation to Mode II cracking. The crack initiation angle plays a dominant role when the growth segment is suciently small. Otherwise, a more complex situation prevails where consideration should also be given to the growth segment length. Failure stresses of Modes I and II cracking are also obtained and they are found to depend not only on the electric ®eld density but also on crack length and the extent of slow crack growth damage. These ®ndings suggest a series of new experiments. Ó 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.