Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cooperative action of JNK and AKT/mTOR in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium‐induced autophagy of neuronal PC12 cells

Parkinson's disease has been widely related to both apoptosis and oxidative stress. Many publications relate the loss of mitochondrial potential to an apoptosis‐mediated cell death in different in vivo and in vitro models of this pathology. The present study used the dopaminegic specific neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+) on neuron‐like PC12 cells, which is a well‐accepted model of Parkinson's disease. Results showed an early increase in oxidants, which drives the modulation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways, mimicking peroxide treatment. However, the cell death found in neuronal PC12 cells treated with MPP+ was not a caspase‐associated apoptosis. Electron microscopic images illustrated autophagic cell death, which was confirmed by a Beclin‐1 and ATG expression increase, accumulation of acidic vesicles, and rescue by an autophagy inhibitor. In conclusion, the boost in oxidants from MPP+ treatment in neuronal PC12 is modulating both survival (AKT/mTOR) and death (JNK) pathways, which are the perpetrators of an autophagic cell death. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of real wages and inflation on labour productivity in Malaysia

This study examines the relationship between labour productivity, real wages and inflation in Malaysia using the bounds testing approach to cointegration and also the Granger causality test. The findings of this study suggest that inflation is negatively related to labour productivity. However, the effect of real wages on labour productivity is non-linear and the two have an inverted-U shape relationship. From a policy viewpoint, the Granger causality test shows that real wages Granger-cause labour productivity, but there is no evidence of reversal causation. Hence, the Malaysian dataset supports the claims by the efficiency wage theory. Moreover, we find that inflation and labour productivity in Malaysia have bilateral causality in the short- and the long-run.
Forty Years, Thirty Currencies and 21,000 Trading Rules: A Large-Scale, Data-Snooping Robust Analysis of Technical Trading in the Foreign Exchange Market

We carry out a large-scale investigation of technical trading rules in the foreign exchange market, using daily data over a maximum of forty years for thirty developed and emerging market currencies. Employing a stepwise test to safeguard against data-snooping bias and examining over 21,000 technical trading rules, we find evidence of substantial predictability in both developed and emerging markets, measured against a variety of returns and risk-adjusted performance metrics. We present time-series and cross-sectional variation in sub-periods and cultural and/or geographic groups, respectively, suggesting that temporarily not-fully-rational behavior and market immaturity lead to technical predictability and potential profitability.
Activism for health: An ethical obligation of public health practice

i Acknowledgements ii List of Tables and Figures vi List of Abbreviations and Acronyms vii Chapter One: Introduction 1 1.0 Introduction 1 1.1 Activism for health 1 1.2 Research scope, objectives and outcomes of interest 3 1.3 Research approach 4 1.4 Context and contribution 6 1.5 Guide to thesis 9 Chapter Two: Activism as an Ethical Responsibility 11 2.0 Introduction 11 2.1 An ‘active’ field 11 2.2 A social justice perspective 13 2.3 Social justice in action 17 2.4 Activism: ‘ought’ and ‘can’ 21 2.5 Summary and conclusions 25 Chapter Three: Practice and Parameters of Health Activism 27 3.0 Introduction 27 3.1 Activism is unconventional 27 3.2 Activism challenges the status quo 35 3.3 Activism requires reflexivity 38 3.4 A dual approach: Dissensus theory 43 3.5 Summary and conclusions 45 Chapter Four: Scholar Activism 47 4.0 Introduction 47 4.1 Research that matters 47 4.2 Radical research 51 4.3 Ethically valid research 57 4.4 Teaching activism 61 4.5 Summary and conclusions 64 Chapter Five: Research Methods 65
On the systematic bias in skeletal sexing.

Comparison of a large series of sexed adult skeletal populations and a similar series of adult pre-industrial peoples shows that there is a regular and systematic bias in the sexing of adult skeletons. This bias, which is about 12% in favor of males, is due to the nature of secondary sex characteristics in bone. It should be corrected in skeletal series before demographic analysis is made of them. Application of this knowledge and the same data to problems of age-specific male and female mortality rates is inconclusive, but points to an area for important future investigation. Application to the fossil record confirms some ecological ideas about human evolution.
A hybrid framework for online recognition of activities of daily living in real-world settings

Many supervised approaches report state-of-the-art results for recognizing short-term actions in manually clipped videos by utilizing fine body motion information. The main downside of these approaches is that they are not applicable in real world settings. The challenge is different when it comes to unstructured scenes and long-term videos. Unsupervised approaches have been used to model the long-term activities but the main pitfall is their limitation to handle subtle differences between similar activities since they mostly use global motion information. In this paper, we present a hybrid approach for long-term human activity recognition with more precise recognition of activities compared to unsupervised approaches. It enables processing of long-term videos by automatically clipping and performing online recognition. The performance of our approach has been tested on two Activities of Daily Living (ADL) datasets. Experimental results are promising compared to existing approaches.
Accounting treatment of R&D expenditures and earnings management: an empirical study on French listed companies

Accounting treatment of Research and Development (R&D) expenditures is a controversial issue since the way of taking into account these expenditures can sometimes be motivated by incentives to manage earnings. This paper aims to examine the extent to which the decision of French companies to capitalize or not the expenditures of R&D can be motivated by earnings management incentives. The French context presents a relevant example to check our assumptions, as the GAAP in France offers the ability to choose between capitalizations and expensing R& D expenditures. Using a logistic regression model to test the effects on the probability of capitalizing R&D expenditures of three main incentives for earnings management (earnings smoothing, the reduction of political costs and the bonus plans) and six other control variables (size of the company, industry, quality of audit, listing on US stock market, profitability and risk), the results show that the French listed companies tend to use the capitalization of the R&D expenditures in order to smooth the results, as well as, to avoid any violation of the debt’s restrictive clauses.
Economics of Grass Strips Used as Sediment Filters in the Riparian Zones of Lake Victoria, Uganda

Land-use change in the riparian zones has lead to flow of sediments and nutrients into Lake Victoria. Using net present value (NPV) and sensitivity analysis techniques, economic viability of Paspalum, lemon, and elephant grasses as sediment filters under maize production are determined. Findings reveal that grass strips in maize production generates NPVs of 1,620 €ha−1, 1,736 €ha−1, and 1,766 €ha−1 for maize + Paspalum, maize + lemon and maize + elephant grass, respectively, at 5% discount rate. Sensitivity analyses show, NPVs are stable to varying discount rates but not to yield declines in maize and grasses. Overall, integrated land use to reduce sediment and nutrient fluxes is a more acceptable solution to land-constrained farmers.
The rights of the child and ethnic minority families in Sweden

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was launched in 1989 and is ratified in most countries. The UNCRC is considered by child welfare authorities worldwide to be an essential document that aims to improve the rights of children. However, contemporary research indicates that the UNCRC is an obstacle to social work because it emphasizes the legal equality between children and adults. This finding prompts the question of how Western child protection agencies conduct child protection encounters with families with a non-Western ethnic background. The present article aims to examine if specific articles in the UNCRC can serve as a medium for improving social work with ethnic minority families within the child protection sector in Sweden. This article is based on a research project concerning youths with an ethnic minority background in out-of-home care. Relevant articles in the UNCRC are revealed to be potentially helpful to child protection programmes involving ethnic minority families because these articles emphasize considering the perspective of the child and strengthening parenting skills. However, child protection agencies must consider how the UNCRC can be used to teach parents or guardians to understand and acknowledge the perspective of the child without violating the values of the family.
South Africa - A review of trade policies

This report is an attempt to provide an overview of South Africa's trade regime to assess whether it is conducive to sustaining a prolonged export drive. Stagnation of output and rising unemployment have preoccupied the South African government for over a decade, and numerous solutions to solve both problems have been put forward. In particular, there has been increasing awareness of the need to make fundamental changes to the import-substitution development model that South Africa adopted at the beginning of the century. Although various reports have favored an outward looking model, where exports play a more important role as a source of growth, and the trade regime has undergone some changes, it is still geared to protect local industry. This report reviews the various policies now in place, assesses their impact on the performance of the manufacturing sector, and offers some suggestions to attenuate its inherent anti-export bias. The report's main conclusion is that South Africa's trade regime, while not overly protective, is far too fluid and complex, and also biased against exports.
The role of sorting portfolios in asset-pricing models

This article investigates the role of sorting portfolios in evaluating asset-pricing models. With the rising number of empirical studies about asset-pricing models, the comparability of these effects suffers from (1) different aggregational levels of firm returns, (2) different models, i.e. Capital Asset-Pricing Model (CAPM) versus the Fama and French model and (3) time-varying factor risk loadings. We find that β-sorting improves the performance of the CAPM, while portfolios built according to size and book-to-market equity (BE/ME) enhance the Fama and French model. However, the success of the three-factor model is not restricted to its factor-mimicking portfolios. For all analysed types of portfolios the Fama and French three-factor model turns out to be superior to the CAPM, both statistically and economically. Applying a quantile regression-based analysis, we also find support that the ‘independent and identically distributed’ (i.i.d.)-assumption empirically holds in these asset-pricing models, but the role of the unspecified part (α) changes when looking at the tails of the return distribution. The validity of our empirical results is supported by careful specification tests.
Expression of fast myosin heavy chain transcripts in developing and dystrophic chicken skeletal muscle

The expression of fast myosin heavy chain (MyHC) genes was examined in vivo during fast skeletal muscle development in the inbred White Leghorn chicken (line 03) and in adult muscles from the genetically related dystrophic White Leghorn chicken (line 433). RNA dot‐blot and northern hybridization was employed to monitor MyHC transcript levels utilizing specific oligonucleotide probes. The developmental pattern of MyHC gene expression in the pectoralis major (PM) and the gastrocnemius muscles was similar during embryonic development with three embryonic MyHC isoform genes, Cemb1, Cemb2, and Cemb3, sequentially expressed. Following hatching, MyHC expression patterns in each muscle differed. The expression of MyHC genes was also studied in muscle cell cultures derived from 12‐day embryonic pectoralis muscles. In vitro, Cvent, Cemb1, and Cemb2 MyHC genes were expressed; however, little if any Cemb3 MyHC gene expression could be detected, even though Cemb3 was the predominant MyHC gene expressed during late embryonic development in vivo. In most adult muscles other than the PM and anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD), the Cemb3 MyHC gene was the major adult MyHC isoform. In addition, two general patterns of expression were identified in fast muscle. The fast muscles of the leg expressed neonatal (Cneo) and Cemb3 MyHC genes, while other fast muscles expressed adult (Cadult) and Cemb3 MyHC genes. MyHC gene expression in adult dystrophic muscles was found to reflect the expression patterns found in corresponding normal muscles during the neonatal or early post‐hatch developmental period, providing additional evidence that avian muscular dystrophy inhibits muscle maturation. Dev. Dyn. 208:491–504, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vasomotor responses to laryngeal nerve stimulation.

The changes in laryngeal blood flow were measured during electrical stimulation of the vagus, recurrent, and superior laryngeal nerves in 11 dogs. Blood flow volume was measured by collecting the entire laryngeal venous outflow per 15 second period stimulation. An approximately 30% increase in blood flow volume was produced by stimulation of the vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerves whereas a 20% decrease from control levels was obtained by stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve. In seven dogs pretreated with atropine, stimulation of either the vagus or the recurrent laryngeal nerve did not cause any significant change in blood flow volume, while stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve induced the expected 20% reduction in blood flow volume. Stimulation of any of the three laryngeal nerves did not affect heart rate or the femoral venous outflow. Administration of atropine did not affect laryngeal muscle action potentials. It is postulated that the vasomotor responses in laryngeal vessels are mediated via all three laryngeal nerves tested. The adrenergic vasoconstrictor responses seemed to be derived mainly from the superior laryngeal nerve, while the cholinergic vasodilator effect is more marked in the vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerves.
Utilizing intraspecific variation in phenotypic plasticity to bolster agricultural and forest productivity under climate change.

Climate change threatens the ability of agriculture and forestry to meet growing global demands for food, fibre and wood products. Information gathered from genotype-by-environment interactions (G × E), which demonstrate intraspecific variation in phenotypic plasticity (the ability of a genotype to alter its phenotype in response to environmental change), may prove important for bolstering agricultural and forest productivity under climate change. Nonetheless, very few studies have explicitly quantified genotype plasticity-productivity relationships in agriculture or forestry. Here, we conceptualize the importance of intraspecific variation in agricultural and forest species plasticity, and discuss the physiological and genetic factors contributing to intraspecific variation in phenotypic plasticity. Our discussion highlights the need for an integrated understanding of the mechanisms of G × E, more extensive assessments of genotypic responses to climate change under field conditions, and explicit testing of genotype plasticity-productivity relationships. Ultimately, further investigation of intraspecific variation in phenotypic plasticity in agriculture and forestry may prove important for identifying genotypes capable of increasing or sustaining productivity under more extreme climatic conditions.
Does Too Much Trust Hamper Economic Growth?

This paper examines the relationship between trust and economic growth. Taking panel data and using a fixed‐effects estimation for a 41‐country sample over the time period from 1980 to 2004 and with a total of 129 observations, the paper points out that economic growth is negatively related to an increase in trust. This negative finding is in contrast to most empirical findings using a cross‐sectional design. The common knowledge which has governed the nature of discussions in social science and economics for the last ten years, that trust is generally positively related to economic performance, must be seriously questioned. From a policy point of view an increase in trust is crucial for countries with low levels of trust, but can likely be neglected by countries with sufficient levels of trust and may even hamper economic performance in countries with high levels of trust. The relationship is tested in the context of EU countries, OECD countries and developing countries. Interpersonal trust and systemic trust is differentiated.
R&D and firm performance: evidence from the Indian pharmaceutical industry

This paper examines the impact of research and development (R&D) activities on firms’ performance for the Indian pharmaceutical industry by utilizing the data of the postreform period (1994–2006). For this purpose, we construct two empirical frameworks, namely growth accounting and production function. Estimation results based on the growth-accounting framework suggest that R&D intensity has a positive and significant effect (15%) on total factor productivity. The results also confirm that the performance of foreign firms operating in the industry is more sensitive toward R&D than the local firms. Furthermore, the estimation results of the production function approach indicate that the output elasticity to R&D capital varies from 10% to 13%. In view of these findings, we propose further encouragement and incentives for doing in-house innovative activities in the Indian pharmaceutical industry.
The Dilemma of Labor Unions: Local Objectives vs Global Bargaining

Multinational enterprises are able to improve their disagreement profits by setting up foreign production facilities, with adverse consequences for negotiated wages and union utilities. In this paper, we take a new angle at this issue and analyze whether unions can improve their situation by cooperating internationally. By shifting the focus from firms to unions as the active players, we aim at explaining why unions find it hard to respond to the detrimental shift in bargaining position as a result of globalization and why there is so little evidence for union cooperation within multinational production networks. Our results show that cooperation is clearly beneficial for unions if their preferences regarding wages and employment are similar across countries. If these preferences differ, however, potential production relocations by multinationals create winners and losers among unions, and these distributional effects may impede cooperation.
Effects of Dimethyl Sulfoxide on Neuronal Response Characteristics in Deep Layers of Rat Barrel Cortex

Introduction: Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a chemical often used as a solvent for water-insoluble drugs. In this study, we evaluated the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of DMSO on neural response characteristics (in 1200–1500 μm depth) of the rat barrel cortex. Methods: DMSO solution was prepared in 10% v/v concentration and injected into the lateral ventricle of rats. Neuronal spontaneous activity and neuronal responses to deflection of the principal whisker (PW) and adjacent whisker (AW) were recorded in barrel cortex. A condition test ratio (CTR) was used to measure inhibitory receptive fields in barrel cortex. Results: The results showed that both PW and AW evoked ON and OFF responses, neuronal spontaneous activity and inhibitory receptive fields did not change following ICV administration of DMSO. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that acute ICV administration of 10% DMSO did not modulate the electrophysiological characteristics of neurons in the l deep ayers of rat barrel cortex.
Macroeconomics and Finance: Essays in Honor of Franco Modigliani

These essays all focus on and present new work in areas of research that Franco Modigliani has developed during his career - corporate finance, savings behavior, and macroeconomic theory. They are substantive contributions to the literature as well as evaluations of Modigliani's work.Ten of the twelve essays in this book appear for the first time; they were presented in Modigliani's honor at a conference held on Martha's Vineyard in September 1985 one month before it was announced that he had been awarded the Nobel Prize in economics. The other two essays were written later; they are Modigliani's Nobel lecture, "Life Cycle, Individual Thrift, and the Wealth of Nations," and a tribute to the economist and an evaluation of his contributions to micro- and macroeconomics by his fellow Nobel laureate and MIT colleague, Paul Samuelson.The other contributors include some of the most notable economists of our time; several collaborated with Modigliani in fundamental investigations that were to be cited by the Nobel Committee.Rudiger Dornbusch is Ford International Professor of Economics and Stanley Fischer is Professor of Economics, both at MIT.
Preferences for the “screen and treat” Strategy of Helicobacter pylori to Prevent Gastric Cancer in Healthy Korean Populations

Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication may reduce the risk of gastric cancer, and professional guidelines recommend eradication based on patients' preference. However, little data exist regarding individual's preference for HP eradication to prevent gastric cancer. We explored healthy Korean populations' preference for HP “screen and treat” strategy and its associated factors.
Erythromelalgia in Essential Thrombocythemia Is Characterized by Platelet Activation and Endothelial Cell Damage but not by Thrombin Generation

Summary Erythromelalgia, a characteristic aspirin-responsive microvascular thrombotic complication in essential thrombocythemia (ET), may develop despite oral anticoagulant treatment or treatment with heparin, suggesting that the generation of thrombin is not a prerequisite for its development. To study this, a cross-sectional comparison of the plasma levels of thrombomodulin (TM), platelet factor 4 (PF4), β-thrombo-globulin (β-TG), prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2) and total degradation products of fibrin(ogen) (TDP) was made between 5 ET patients suffering from erythromelalgia, 16 asymptomatic ET patients and 20 control subjects, and after treatment with aspirin, respectively. Furthermore, 2 ET patients with a history of erythromelalgia were studied at regular time intervals after discontinuation of aspirin until erythromelalgia recurred. As compared with asymptomatic ET patients and control subjects erythromelalgia was characterized by significantly higher β-TG and TM levels but no significant differences were detected in either F1+2 or TDP levels. Treatment of erythromelalgia with aspirin resulted in disappearance of erythromelalgic signs and symptoms, which was paralleled by a significant decrease of β-TG and TM levels. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of biopsies derived from erythromelalgic skin areas of 2ET patients showed that erythromelalgic thrombi stained positively for von Wille-brand factor opposed to only a weak fibrin staining. Our data suggest that erythromelalgia is caused by the intravascular activation and aggregation of platelets with subsequent sludging or occlusion of the acral arterial microvasculature. The generation of thrombin appears not to be essential for the formation of these platelet thrombi, thereby giving a plausible explanantion for the inefficacy of coumadin derivatives and heparin in the prevention and treatment of erythromelalgia in essential thrombocythemia.