Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Explorer NKp 46 defines ovine cells that have characteristics corresponding to NK cells

Natural killer (NK) cells are well recognized as playing a key role in innate immune defence through cytokine production and cytotoxic activity; additionally recent studies have identified several novel NK cell functions. The ability to study NK cells in the sheep has been restricted due to a lack of specific reagents. We report the generation of a monoclonal antibody specific for ovine NKp46, a receptor which in a number of mammals is expressed exclusively in NK cells. Ovine NKp46 cells represent a population that is distinct from CD4 and gδ T-cells, B-cells and cells of the monocytic lineage. The NKp46 cells are heterogenous with respect to expression of CD2 and CD8 and most, but not all, express CD16 characteristics consistent with NK cell populations in other species. We demonstrate that in addition to populations in peripheral blood and secondary lymphoid organs, ovine NKp46 populations are also situated at the mucosal surfaces of the lung, gastro-intestinal tract and non-gravid uterus. Furthermore, we show that purified ovine NKp46 populations cultured in IL-2 and IL-15 have cytotoxic activity that could be enhanced by ligation of NKp46 in re-directed lysis assays. Therefore we conclude that ovine NKp46 cells represent a population that by phenotype, tissue distribution and function correspond to NK cells and that NKp46 is an activating receptor in sheep as in other species.
Flextime and Profitability

Despite the well‐documented benefits of flexible work schedules (flextime), generalizable assessments of how flextime influences organizational profitability have proven elusive. Using a unique data set representative of organizations in Canada, we examine the effect of flextime in combination with organizational strategies to predict profitability. Using fixed effects and controlling for prior profitability, we find that flextime increases profitability when implemented within a strategy centered on employees but decreases profitability when implemented within a strategy focused on cost reduction.
Regional variation of returns to education

Returns to education are mainly influenced by the characteristics of the individual. However, returns are also likely to depend on location characteristics. Thus, there are different location premiums for educational attainment. This paper analyse the regional variation of returns to education where Swedish municipal markets are divided into four categories based on size and commuting patterns. Through the obtained results, the often-assumed hypothesis of equal returns to education for all regions in a country can be rejected. Highest returns to education are found in municipalities in metropolitan functional regions and the lowest in peripheral municipalities in small functional regions.
Wage Dispersion and Search Behavior: The Importance of Nonwage Job Values

We use a rich new body of data on the experiences of unemployed job seekers to determine the sources of wage dispersion and to create a search model consistent with the acceptance decisions the job seekers made. We identify the distributions of four key variables: offered wages, offered nonwage job values, job seekers’ nonwork alternatives, and job seekers’ personal productivities. We find that, conditional on personal productivity, the standard deviation of offered log wages is moderate, at 0.24, whereas the dispersion of the offered nonwage component is substantially larger, at 0.34. The resulting dispersion of offered job values is 0.38.
Poverty: An Ordinal Approach to Measurement

The primary aim of this paper is to propose a new measure of poverty, which should avoid some of the shortcomings of the measures currently in use. An axiomatic approach is used to derive the measure. The conception of welfare in the axiom set is ordinal. The information requirement for the new measure is quite limited, permitting practical use.
Organizational choices and performance in distribution systems

This article studies the performance of distribution networks as the result of a range of organizational choices. The analytical part of the article surveys the vast literature devoted to franchising and dual distribution. From this framework, several testable propositions linking network performance to organizational choices are derived. Three complementary criteria of performance are taken into account: the internationalization rate, the expansion rate and the market share. This article provides evidence for the simultaneity between these performance criteria, analytically related as indicators of the network commercial performance. Thus, the econometrical model is defined as a system of simultaneous equations, free of endogeneity regarding the explanatory variables. The estimations on recent French data obtained using the three-stage least squares method provide robust results and show that the type of distribution network, the number of company-owned outlets in the network, the type of sector and the choice to manage several networks simultaneously affect the performance.
Detection of regional climate change effects on alpine hydrology by daily resolution trend analysis in Tyrol, Austria

Owing to average temperature increases of at least twice the global mean, climate change is expected to have strong impacts on local hydrology and climatology in the Alps. Nevertheless, trend analyses of hydro-climatic station data rarely reveal clear patterns concerning climate change signals except in temperature observations. However, trend research has thus far mostly been based on analysing trends of averaged data such as yearly, seasonal or monthly averages and has therefore often not been able to detect the finer temporal dynamics. For this reason, we derived 30-day moving average trends, providing a daily resolution of the timing and magnitude of trends within the seasons. Results are validated by including different time periods. We studied daily observations of mean temperature, liquid and solid precipitation, snow height and runoff in the relatively dry central Alpine region in Tyrol, Austria. Our results indicate that the vast majority of changes are observed throughout spring to early summer, most likely triggered by the strong temperature increase during this season. Temperature, streamflow and snow trends have clearly amplified during recent decades. The overall results are consistent over the entire investigation area and different time periods.
Returns to Higher Education in Chile and Colombia

In the last decades, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have experienced a dramatic increase in the levels of higher education enrollment. Using administrative data from Chile and Colombia, we find that this phenomenon is not always associated with higher private individual returns. In both countries, there is a significant dispersion in the net returns to higher education and a significant proportion of graduates could be facing negative returns. This means that, for many higher education graduates, net earnings might have been higher if they had not earned a higher education degree. We hypothesize that while there have been major policy efforts to increase coverage, institutional arrangements that encourage quality and relevance has been insufficient. Corrective measures in this direction are urgent. Sustainable growth requires a labor force with relevant skills and capabilities. In light of our results, it is not clear that the higher education systems in these countries are delivering these outcomes.
Localizing management in foreign-invested enterprises in China: practical, cultural, and strategic perspectives

The business case for the rapid localization of management has often been argued. This paper takes a critical look at the assumptions underlying such arguments. This exploration utilizes data gathered from a variety of Japanese, Korean, Hong Kong, and European ventures in China. Evidence from these case studies is incorporated within a broader exploration of Chinese cultural values and attitudes derived from ethnographic research and approaches to the strategic management of multinational enterprises. It is suggested that localization is likely to proceed at a much slower pace than its main advocates may wish or anticipate, and that there are practical, cultural, and strategic factors which may, and perhaps should, inhibit rapid localization. Such factors range from the lack of suitably qualified local managers, to control and surveillance functions and expatriates' roles as trainers, co-ordinators, and relatively neutral 'outsiders'. It is proposed that the development of a core of culturally literate expatriates can become a valuable resource for MNEs and that their selection, support, and compensation packages should be considered as an investment in firms' long-term strategic development.
PENGARUH KEJELASAN SASARAN ANGGARAN, PENGENDALIAN AKUNTANSI DAN SISTEM PELAPORAN TERHADAP AKUNTABILITAS KINERJA INSTANSI PEMERINTAH

Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk memperoleh bukti empiris secara parsial dan simultan tentang pengaruh kejelasan sasaran anggaran, pengendalian akuntansi dan sistem pelaporan terhadap akuntabilitas kinerja instansi pemerintah. Populasi dan sampel dari penelitian ini adalah 51 SKPD diwilayah Tegal dan Pemalang. Hasil penelitian ini mengindikasi bahwa kejelasan sasaran anggaran dan sistem pelaporan berpengaruh terhadap akuntabilitas kinerja instansi pemerintah. Sedangkan pengendalian akuntansi tidak berpengaruh terhadap akuntabiltas kinerja instansi pemerintah. Abstract The purpose of this study is to obtain empirical evidence on the effects of partial and simultaneous clarity budgetary targets, accounting controls and reporting systems for accountability of government performance. Population and sample of the study was 51 SKPD region Tegal and Pemalang. The results of this study indicate that the clarity of the budget targets and reporting systems affect the performance accountability of government agencies. While accounting controls have no effect on performance accountability of government agencies.
The Role of Uncertainty Stemming from Product Monetary Value in Online Auctions: The Case of Search Goods

This study strives to demonstrate that uncertainty in online auction transactions is partly driven by product monetary values. We argue that as product monetary value increases, so do transaction uncertainty and the amount of consumers' cognitive effort required for analyzing the transaction. This effect can be observed through the changing roles of price premium determinants such as seller reputation, seller strategies, bidder strategies, and market competition among auctions that offer identical items. Drawing upon consumers' goal to minimize their cognitive effort, this study develops two online auction price premium models that are customized to different levels of product monetary value. To test the models, online auction transactions from eBay were collected and separated into lower-priced and higher-priced auction samples. The results show that consumers' goal of minimizing cognitive effort in the bidding process can explain most of the relationships between price premium and its determinants proposed in this study. Some findings, despite appearing to be counterintuitive, produce logical and actionable guidelines for the auction community. For example, we recommend that auction sellers of lower-priced products adopt shorter auction durations because it helps bidders minimize their cognitive effort through lower monitoring cost, which subsequently increases their willingness to pay extra price premiums.
A Systematic Review of Skin Substitutes for Foot Ulcers

Background: Bioengineered and allograft-derived skin substitutes are increasingly available and marketed for use in the healing of chronic wounds. Plastic surgeons should have evidence-based information available to guide their use of these products. The authors systematically reviewed the literature to determine the published outcomes and effectiveness of different skin substitutes for healing chronic foot ulcers. Methods: A broad literature search of the MEDLINE, EBSCO, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases was undertaken. Relevant studies were selected by three independent reviewers to include randomized controlled trials or systematic reviews examining the use of skin substitutes on foot ulcers. Results were narrowed further by the application of predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies were assessed for quality and data were extracted regarding study characteristics and objective outcomes. Results: Of an initial 271 search results, 15 randomized controlled trials, one prospective comparative study, and five systematic reviews were included in the systematic review. Most of the included clinical studies were of moderate to low quality by objective standards, and reported results using cell-based skin substitutes. The primary outcome examined, success rate of complete healing, was equivalent to or better than that of standard therapy for all skin substitutes examined. Conclusions: A convincing body of evidence supports the effectiveness of living cell–based skin substitutes as an adjunctive therapy for increasing the rate of complete healing in chronic foot ulcers when basic tenets of wound care are also being implemented. Acellular skin substitutes also show some promise for treatment of foot wounds but require further study. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.
Transplacental Carbohydrate and Sugar Alcohol Concentrations and Their Uptakes in Ovine Pregnancy

The concentrations of glucose, fructose, sorbitol, glycerol, and myo-inositol in sheep blood and tissues have been reported previously (1–5). However, the other polyols that are at low concentrations have not been investigated in pregnant sheep due to technical difficulties. By using HPLC and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, seven polyols (myo-inositol, glycerol, erythritol, arabitol, sorbitol, ribitol, and mannitol) and three hexoses (mannose, glucose, and fructose) were identified and quantified in four blood vessels supplying and draining the placenta (maternal artery, uterine vein, fetal artery, and umbilical vein). Uterine and umbilical blood flows were measured, and uptakes of all the polyols and hexoses in both maternal and fetal circulations were calculated. There was a significant net placental release of sorbitol to both maternal and fetal circulations. Fructose was also taken up significantly by the uterine circulation. Maternal plasma mannose concentrations were higher than fetal concentrations, and there was a net umbilical uptake of mannose, characteristics that are similar to those of glucose. Myo-inositol and erythritol had relatively high concentrations in fetal plasma (697.8 ± 53 μM and 463.8 ± 27 μM, respectively). The ratios of fetal/maternal plasma arterial concentrations were very high for most polyols. The concentrations of myo-inositol, glycerol, and sorbitol were also high in sheep placental tissue (2489 ± 125 μM/kg wet tissue, 2119 ± 193 μM/kg wet tissue, and 3910 ± 369 μM/kg wet tissue), an indication that these polyols could be made within the placenta.
Assessing the impact of price and non-price policies on residential water demand: a case study in Wisconsin

This paper reports an investigation of the impact of price policies (PP) and non-price policies (NPP) on residential water demand. Using a sample of US water utilities located in Wisconsin, residential water demand was estimated by taking into account the fact that some of the characteristics of local communities that determine PP and NPP choices may also influence residential water consumption levels. It is ﬁrst shown that neglecting endogeneity of PP or NPP may lead to biased parameter estimates. Second, it is demonstrated that the policy mix (PP or NPP) may be as important as the level of prices for determining water consumption. Lastly, evidence is provided that dissemination efforts made by local communities to promote NPP drive the effectiveness of those policies.
Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors in Breast Carcinoma and in Nonmalignant Breast Tissue

Since 1983 we have studied the relationship, in the same patient, between receptor status in breast carcinoma and in nonmalignant breast tissue. Fifty patients have been evaluated to date. The total unoccupied cytosol estrogen and progesterone receptors were determined by a dextran-coated charcoal method. In nonmalignant breast tissue we found a measurable receptor concentration above the sensitivity of the method in 62 % of cases for estrogen receptors and in 44 % of cases for progesterone receptors. No relationships were found between the receptor level of each tumor and that of the corresponding benign tissue. The data suggest that the levels of the receptors in the tumor and in the nonmalignant tissue are totally independent.
Third Party Intervention in Ethnic Conflicts: A Force for Peace or Spiraling Violence

Title of Dissertation: THIRD PARTY INTERVENTION IN ETHNIC CONFLICTS: A FORCE FOR PEACE OR SPIRALING VIOLENCE Deepa Khosla, Doctor of Philosophy, 2004 Dissertation directed by: Professor Ted Robert Gurr, Department of Government and Politics This dissertation examines how interventions by external states can influence the degree of violence of internal ethnic conflicts. We know that foreign state interventions can alter the trajectory of domestic disputes but scholars disagree about the potential effects. Outside support can increase the destructiveness and duration while potentially threatening to diffuse hostilities across states boundaries. Third parties can alternatively help promote a resolution through mediation or by ensuring the victory of one of the
Regulatory Policy and the Efficiency of the Banking Sector in Australia

"This paper examines the technical efficiency of Australian banks during the post-Wallis period (1997-2005). The results based on data envelopment analysis reveal that the extent of technical efficiency varies across the banks and over the years. The National Australia Bank, Commonwealth Bank and Macquarie Bank are found to be technically efficient, whereas Adelaide Bank, the Bank of Queensland and Westpac Bank are found to be prominently inefficient. Technical efficiency is the lowest among small banks and has declined over time largely due to deterioration in scale efficiency. Medium-sized banks have outperformed both the small and large banks in terms of efficiency improvements. Some insights into the debate over the removal of the 'four-pillar' policy are provided. " Copyright (c)2008 The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research.
Liquidity constraint, uncertainty and household consumption in China

This paper investigates the changing roles played by liquidity constraint and uncertainty in accounting for the dynamism of Chinese household consumption behaviour. Starting from the Euler equation-based model of Robert Hall, a framework encompassing an array of consumption models is developed and applied to Chinese data over the period 1961−1998. Empirical results reveal a regime shift in the early 1980s and imply that increases in the proportion of liquidity constrained consumers and increased uncertainty in the post-reform period are responsible for the extremely low consumption or high savings in China. Moreover, it is found that interactions between liquidity constraint and uncertainty reinforce each other's effects and lead to declines in both the level and growth of consumption.
A Study on Internal Auditor Perceptions of the Function Ability to Add Value

In the context of internal auditing, when there is no obvious correlation between auditors' activities and financial performance, it is critical to identify areas where value is added as well as the drivers that enable this, in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal auditing function (IAF). This paper addresses whether and how internal auditing activities (IAAs) can add value to their organisations. In order to gain some understanding of value‐adding processes, we analysed the responses of more than 1,800 internal auditors to questions specifically designed to evaluate this contribution. This sample was based on the 2010 global survey of the internal auditing profession that the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation (IIARF) carried out; only those respondents were included whose role showed they were in a position to make decisions and influence the work of their IAF. This study found evidence that four variables are positively associated with adding value: IAF independence and objectivity; compliance with the Institute of Internal Auditors' (IIA) Code of Ethics; the IAF's contribution to the evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control; and the IAF's contribution to the evaluation of the effectiveness of risk management. With the exception of independence and objectivity, the analysis reveals that the remaining value drivers of the IAF's activities vary between developed and emerging countries and between financial and non‐financial companies, suggesting that the factors influencing the IAAs' effectiveness might be partially context dependent.
Axonal branching patterns of nucleus accumbens neurons in the rat

The patterns of axonal collateralization of nucleus accumbens (Acb) projection neurons were investigated in the rat by means of single‐axon tracing techniques using the anterograde tracer biotinylated dextran amine. Seventy‐three axons were fully traced, originating from either the core (AcbC) or shell (AcbSh) compartment, as assessed by differential calbindin D28k‐immunoreactivity. Axons from AcbC and AcbSh showed a substantial segregation in their targets; target areas were either exclusively or preferentially innervated from AcbC or AcbSh. Axon collaterals in the subthalamic nucleus were found at higher than expected frequencies; moreover, these originated exclusively in the dorsal AcbC. Intercompartmental collaterals were observed from ventral AcbC axons into AcbSh, and likewise, interconnections at pallidal and mesencephalic levels were also observed, although mostly from AcbC axons toward AcbSh targets, possibly supporting crosstalk between the two subcircuits at several levels. Cell somata giving rise to short‐range accumbal axons, projecting to the ventral pallidum (VP), were spatially intermingled with others, giving rise to long‐range axons that innervated VP and more caudal targets. This anatomical organization parallels that of the dorsal striatum and provides the basis for possible dual direct and indirect actions from a single axon on either individual or small sets of neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:4649–4673, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative resistance of Candida albicans clinical isolates to fluconazole and itraconazole in vitro and in vivo in a murine model

Relationships between azole susceptibility and in vivo response to antifungal therapy in a murine model of candidiasis were investigated for Candida albicans isolates sampled from human immunodeficiency virus type 1-positive patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis. The susceptibilities of seven clinical isolates and two reference strains to fluconazole (FCZ) and itraconazole (ITZ) were determined in vitro by the broth microdilution method. Four isolates were resistant to FCZ and ITZ, two were susceptible to both azoles, and three were resistant to FCZ and susceptible to ITZ (dissociated resistance). CD1 mice were inoculated with each isolate and treated with either FCZ or ITZ (drug regimen, 5 mg/kg of body weight twice daily for 5 days). Quantitative cultures of kidneys were performed at the end of the treatment. On the other hand, the survival rates of the mice were followed daily. These two parameters were clearly correlated with in vitro susceptibility. Thus, the phenomenon of a dissociation of resistance to FCZ and ITZ may be found in vivo as well as in vitro.