Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide is an intrinsic regulator of Treg abundance and protects against experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a widely expressed neuropeptide originally discovered in the hypothalamus. It closely resembles vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), a neuropeptide well known to inhibit macrophage activity, promote Th2-type responses, and enhance regulatory T cell (Treg) production. Recent studies have shown that administration of PACAP, like VIP, can attenuate dramatically the clinical and pathological features of murine models of autoimmune diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and collagen-induced arthritis. However, specific roles (if any) of endogenous VIP and PACAP in the protection against autoimmune diseases have not been explored. Here, we subjected PACAP-deficient mice to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG35–55)-induced EAE. MOG immunization of PACAP-deficient mice triggered heightened clinical and pathological manifestations of EAE compared to wild-type mice. The increased sensitivity was accompanied by enhanced mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-12p35, IL-23p19, and IL-17), chemokines (MCP-1/CCL2, MIP-1α/CCL3, and RANTES/CCL5), and chemotactic factor receptors (CCR1, CCR2, and CCR5), but downregulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β) in the spinal cord. Moreover, the abundance of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs in lymph nodes and levels of FoxP3 mRNA in the spinal cord were also diminished. The reduction in Tregs was associated with increased proliferation and decreased TGF-β secretion in lymph node cultures stimulated with MOG. These results demonstrate that endogenous PACAP provides protection in EAE and identify PACAP as an intrinsic regulator of Treg abundance after inflammation.
Experiencing Nature through Immersive Virtual Environments: Environmental Perceptions, Physical Engagement, and Affective Responses during a Simulated Nature Walk

By combining physical activity and exposure to nature, green exercise can provide additional health benefits compared to physical activity alone. Immersive Virtual Environments (IVE) have emerged as a potentially valuable supplement to environmental and behavioral research, and might also provide new approaches to green exercise promotion. However, it is unknown to what extent green exercise in IVE can provide psychophysiological responses similar to those experienced in real natural environments. In this study, 26 healthy adults underwent three experimental conditions: nature walk, sitting-IVE, and treadmill-IVE. The nature walk took place on a paved trail along a large river. In the IVE conditions, the participants wore a head-mounted display with headphones reproducing a 360° video and audio of the nature walk, either sitting on a chair or walking on a manually driven treadmill. Measurements included environmental perceptions (presence and perceived environmental restorativeness – PER), physical engagement (walking speed, heart rate, and perceived exertion), and affective responses (enjoyment and affect). Additionally, qualitative information was collected through open-ended questions. The participants rated the IVEs with satisfactory levels of ‘being there’ and ‘sense of reality,’ but also reported discomforts such as ‘flatness,’ ‘movement lag’ and ‘cyber sickness. ’ With equivalent heart rate and walking speed, participants reported higher perceived exertion in the IVEs than in the nature walk. The nature walk was associated with high enjoyment and enhanced affect. However, despite equivalent ratings of PER in the nature walk and in the IVEs, the latter were perceived as less enjoyable and gave rise to a poorer affect. Presence and PER did not differ between the two IVEs, although in the treadmill-IVE the negative affective responses had slightly smaller magnitude than in the sitting-IVE. In both the IVEs, the negative affective responses were mainly associated with cyber sickness, whereas PER was positively associated with enjoyment. From the qualitative analysis, it emerged that poor postural control and lack of a holistic sensory experience can also hinder immersion in the IVE. The results indicate that IVE technology might in future be a useful instrument in green exercise research and promotion, but only if image quality and cyber sickness can be addressed.
An econometric analysis of reservation wages

This paper describes an analysis of survey data on unemployed people who reported their asking wage and the wage they expected to earn. We show that if agents' behavior is described by the standard optimal job search model, one can use these data to deduce structural parameters rather than estimate them, and we report our deductions from two surveys^1 of British unemployed people.
Tertiary Education Trust Fund Interventions and Sustainable Development in Nigerian Universities: Evidence from Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

The study examined the impact of TETFund Interventions in Nigerian Universities and its implications for sustainable development with special attention on EBSU. Content Analytical Approach was adopted while Public Goods Theory was used as a theoretical framework.The study reviewed the contributions of scholars in this field.Data were extensively sourced from documentary papers from which the three major objectives of the study were accomplished.The study finds that TETFund Interventions in Nigerian Universities particularly EBSU have impacted positively on the infrastructural and human development of the institutions; the implications of this for sustainable development is also positive.The study recommends amongst others, a reduction and/or total elimination of unhealthy bureaucratic bottlenecks involved in accessing TETFund; utilization of honest and competent contractors in executing TETFund projects and involvement of donor agencies to assist governments in funding tertiary education in Nigeria.This, if tenaciously adhered to, will launch Nigerian Universities to a better footing.
Outcomes of Stage 3–5 Chronic Kidney Disease before End-Stage Renal Disease at a Single Center in Taiwan

Background: Taiwan has the highest incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the world, but little is known about the outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) before ESRD in Taiwan. This study investigated the rate of renal progression and predictors for ESRD and death in a prospective cohort of patients under usual nephrologic care at a single center. Methods: A total of 433 patients at CKD stage 3–5 short of dialysis were recruited from nephrology clinics. Patients were monitored for up to 36 months or until ESRD, death or loss to follow-up. Glomerular filtration rates (GFR) were calculated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease abbreviated formula. Results: At baseline, mean age was 65.6 years, 61.7% were male, 33.3% were diabetic and 29.1% had cardiovascular diseases (CVD). At the end of follow-up, 123 patients (28.4%) had advanced to ESRD and 41 (9.5%) had died. Mean annual declines in GFR were 2.24, 4.22, and 3.23 ml/min/1.73 m2 for stages 3, 4, and 5, respectively. By Cox regression model, patients with CVD, lower BMI and higher systolic BP were more likely to develop ESRD. Older patients with CVD and lower systolic BP were more likely to die. Conclusion: In this CKD cohort, patients were more likely to develop ESRD than cardiovascular death. The rate of GFR decline and predictors of ESRD were comparable to those reported in Western countries. Thus, the high incidence of ESRD in Taiwan may be attributed, at least in part, to lower cardiovascular mortality.
Adjusting P/E Ratios by Growth and Risk: The Perg Ratio

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to compare the performance of a low‐P/E strategy relative to that of two alternative value strategies, one based on the PEG ratio and another on the PERG ratio (a magnitude introduced in this article). Design/methodology/approach – The data used consists of a sample of 100 US companies between January 1975 and September 2002. Portfolios are formed on the basis of different valuation ratios, and their performance is compared in order to determine the best‐performing strategy.Findings – Portfolios sorted by PERG ratios outperform, on a risk‐adjusted basis, those sorted by both P/E ratios and PEG ratios. This outperformance occurs regardless of whether portfolios are not rebalanced, rebalanced every ten years, or rebalanced every five years.Research limitations/implications – The sample of stocks is not large. The results could be validated by using a larger sample of US stocks and a longer time period, as well as by using a sample of stocks from several international ma.
Teachers-as-learners: The role of a multimedia professional development program in changing classroom practice

This paper describes a professional development program which involved the use of a multimedia package to develop teachers' understanding of a constructivist epistemology in science education. The program put the teachers in the role of learners in an attempt to enhance epistemological change and subsequently influence their use of the multimedia package and constructivist teaching approaches in their classrooms. The multimedia interactive program, Birds of Antartica, was developed using constructivist principles. During the workshop, and subsequently in school classrooms, recordings were made of teachers' and students' interactions with the program and their reactions to the constructivist-oriented learning environment. the results of the study suggest that teachers who engage themselves as learners in a professional development program have greater opportunities to bring about the successful implementation of new ideas in the science classroom.
Competencies for a career in the hospitality industry: an Indian perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the link between industry competency requirements and the current provisions for hospitality management education in India.Design/methodology/approach – Uses structured interviews with educationists and industrialists to identify the key issues.Findings – Shows that a gap exists in terms of ensuring that the needs of industry are met by the ongoing skills development of the workforce.Practical implications – Identifies the need for collaborative development between the educational providers and industry, especially in relation to the ongoing development of managers in the workplace.Originality/value – Focuses on the development needs of the Indian hospitality industry.
Developing Entrepreneurial Skills and Transforming Challenges into Opportunities in Nigeria

The paper considers developing entrepreneurial skills and transforming challenges into business opportunities in Nigeria.Today, the twin challenges of unemployment and poverty are facing graduates of tertiary institutions and professionals owing to the global economic meltdown and economic recessions in most countries including Nigeria. While the government braces up to these challenges through the various programmes and entrepreneurial initiatives, a key solution is the equipping of graduates and professionals with entrepreneurial skills which can make them employable and become employers of labour. Again the paper advocates that besides the possession of entrepreneurial skills, knowledge and hard work, the would- be entrepreneurs must have the right attitude if they are to succeed in transforming challenges into profitable business opportunities. Moreover, the governments and corporate bodies in Nigeria must support by investing in entrepreneurial education in Nigerias. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013. v4n3p289
Measurement Error and Poverty Rates of Widows

Estimates of the poverty rate and of the probability of entering or exiting poverty are biased when income is observed with error. I estimate a variance components model of income which contains a white noise error term and then treat this component as an approximation of the error in observed income. By comparing poverty rates calculated with and without this estimated measurement error, I conclude that observation error causes the poverty rate to be overestimated around two percentage points on average. However, eliminating observation error substantially reduces the probability of transiting either into or out of poverty. These reductions imply that the amount of permanent poverty is underestimated when measurement error is ignored.
Analysis of reassortment of genome segments in mice mixedly infected with rotaviruses SA11 and RRV

Seven-day-old CD-1 mice born to seronegative dams were orally inoculated with a mixture of wild-type simian rotavirus SA11 and wild-type rhesus rotavirus RRV. At various times postinfection, progeny clones were randomly isolated from intestinal homogenates by limiting dilution. Analysis of genome RNAs by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to identify and genotype reassortant progeny. Reassortment of genome segments was observed in 252 of 662 (38%) clones analyzed from in vivo mixed infections. Kinetic studies indicated that reassortment was an early event in the in vivo infectious cycle; more than 25% of the progeny clones were reassortant by 12 h postinfection. The frequency of reassortant progeny increased to 80 to 100% by 72 to 96 h postinfection. A few reassortants with specific constellations of SA11 and RRV genome segments were repeatedly isolated from different litters or different animals within single litters, suggesting that these genotypes were independently and specifically selected in vivo. Analysis of segregation of individual genome segments among the 252 reassortant progeny revealed that, although most segments segregated randomly, segments 3 and 5 nonrandomly segregated from the SA11 parent. The possible selective pressures active during in vivo reassortment of rotavirus genome segments are discussed.
Body composition of preterm infants during infancy

AIMS To examine body composition in preterm infants. METHODS Body composition was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at hospital discharge, term, 12 weeks, and at 6 and 12 months corrected age in 125 infants (birthweight ⩽ 1750 g, gestational age ⩽ 34 weeks). RESULTS Body weight derived by DEXA accurately predicted that determined by conventional scales. In both sexes lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), %FM, bone area (BA), bone mineral mass (BMM), and bone mineral density (BMD) increased rapidly during the study; significant changes were detectable between discharge and term. At 12 months, LM, BA, and BMM, but not FM, %FM, or BMD were greater in boys than in girls. Corrected for age, LM was less than those of the reference term infant; FM and %FM were similar; BMM was greater. Corrected for weight, LM was similar to those of the reference infant, while the FM and %FM of study infants were slightly greater. CONCLUSIONS DEXA accurately measures body mass. Body composition in preterm boys and girls differs. Interpretation of DEXA values may depend on whether age or body weight are regarded as the appropriate reference.
Qualifying Service Under ERISA Vesting Standards: A Comparative Analysis

Alternative minimal vesting provisions under ERISA are compared using a number of fundamental measures. First, with respect to expected qualifying service in the plan, these provisions are ranked as a function of age at entry to show the existence of a critical entry age before which graded vesting and after which the rule of 45 is the most advantageous provision for terminating employees. A second comparison is made through career qualifying service. This measure is shown to have the highest expectation and lowest variance under the rule of 45, followed by 'graded vesting and full vesting after 10 years.
Combined Effect of Comfort and Adverse Events on Contact Lens Performance

Purpose. To report the performance of various contact lenses and lens care solution combinations based on the combined response of subjective comfort and adverse events (AEs). Methods. A retrospective analysis of 28 lens/solution combinations each tested on approximately 40 participants who wore their assigned combination on a daily wear basis and were followed for a 3-month period, with visits at baseline, 2 weeks, and 1 and 3 months. Lenses included frequent replacement and daily disposables. Solutions included hydrogen peroxide and multipurpose types. Subjective comfort (scale of 1 to 10) and AEs were collected and reported as a group mean and percentage, respectively. The data were converted into a ratio between 0 and 1 to represent the relative performance within the combination series, with a higher ratio indicating better performance in both AE rates and comfort. Results. The overall AE rate was 3.6 events per 100 participant-months (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.7 to 4.7%). The rate was found to be lower in daily disposables compared with that in daily wear lenses (3.1 vs. 10.9%, p < 0.001). The overall comfort on insertion rating was 8.3 (95% CI, 8.1 to 8.4), and comfort at end of day was 7.2 (95% CI, 7.0 to 7.4). Based on the 28 lens/solution combinations, there was no significant correlation between overall AE rates and comfort on insertion or at end of day (Pearson correlation, −0.34, p = 0.08; and Pearson correlation, −0.23, p = 0.25, respectively). Less than 18% of the combinations tested combined good comfort with low AE rates. Conclusions. Both subjective comfort responses and AE rates varied according to the combination of lens type and care system in use. The combinations with the best comfort ratings did not necessarily have a favorable AE rate. Practitioners can maximize behavior with respect to both these factors by choosing an appropriate care system for the lenses they prescribe.
Vehicle-related flood fatalities in Greece

This work focuses on the analysis of vehicle-related flood fatalities in Greece, in an effort to provide a better understanding on the circumstances under which they occur. Therefore, an inventory of 60 fatalities associated with the use of vehicles, induced during 37 flood events between 1970 and 2010, was studied. To this end, we developed a database consisting of variables that provided a systematic description of the circumstances under which each incident occurred, including details of the surrounding environment, the road infrastructure, specifics on the incident and demographic details of the involved individuals. Analysis showed an increase in vehicle-related cases over the period of study, with the majority of the incidents occurring after 1990. Males, and individuals between 40 and 69 years old, showed an increased representation among both the drivers and the victims, although the latter showed an overrepresentation of young individuals as well. Most events occurred during nighttime and in rural areas of the country. With respect to the surroundings, most cases occurred on paved road network and bridges that proved vulnerable to flooding phenomena. In a significant number of cases, fatal incidents occurred on paved river crossings, constructed on the riverbed of usually dry torrents or waterways. Drowning was found to be the primary cause of death. Analysis of the drivers’ actions, exactly before the incident, showed that in the majority of occasions, they chose to enter into flooded areas, either to travel across or to save someone, or recover something. In some cases, vehicle occupants found themselves in a hazardous position when floodwaters rose unexpectedly, giving them no chance to avoid danger. It was therefore found that drivers, pursued an active, rather than a passive, stance in the majority of incidents, attributed, in certain occasions, to an underestimation of risk.
Forest dependence and income inequality in rural Ethiopia: evidence from Chilimo-Gaji community forest users

The aim of the study was to examine the determinants of forest dependence and the role of community forest on income inequality in rural Ethiopia. Regression results, using Heckman’s two-stage estimation method, suggest that the probability of households’ participation in low-return forest activities is determined by farm size, number of male members in the household and distance from the forest plot to the household’s homestead. Further, the likelihood of households’ participation in high-return forest activities is determined by the number of male household members, the distance from the households’ homestead to the community forest block and being a member of the forest user group’s executive committee. Using instrumental variable method, we found that, in relative terms, households with more non-forest income are less likely to depend on forest commons for their livelihood. Further, wealthier households are less dependent on forest products for their livelihood. We also found that forest products play a crucial role in reducing income inequality in the study area. Income inequality increases by 24% when we exclude forest income from the calculation of inequality measure (Gini coefficient).
A novel hemostasis assay for the simultaneous measurement of coagulation and fibrinolysis

Abstract Thrombin and plasmin are the key enzymes involved in coagulation and fibrinolysis. A novel hemostasis assay (NHA) was developed to measure thrombin and plasmin generation in a single well by a fluorimeter. The NHA uses two fluorescent substrates with non-interfering fluorescent excitation and emission spectra. The assay was tested in vitro using modulators like heparin, hirudin, epsilon-aminocaproic acid, gly-pro-arg-pro peptide and reptilase and validated by measurement of prothrombin fragment 1+2 and plasmin-alpha2-antiplasmin levels. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were <9% and 6–25%, respectively. Interplay between coagulation and fibrinolysis was demonstrated by the effect of tissue-type plasminogen activator on thrombin generation and by the different responses of activated protein C and thrombomodulin on fibrinolysis. The last responses showed the linkage between coagulation and fibrinolysis by thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor. In conclusion, this strategy allows detection of coagulation, fibrinolysis and their interplay in a single assay.
Social responsibility and reflexivity for co‐operative goals with government units in China

Prior research on co-operation and competition has established that co-operative goal relationships with government units are beneficial to business enterprises operating in China. We report a quantitative study, conducted in Shanghai and based on 119 paired responses by government officials and business managers, which sought to establish the antecedents of co-operative business‐government goal relationships. We found that business enterprises in China that were represented by managers with favorable attitudes toward ethics and social responsibility were considered by government officials as more inclined to engage in reflexivity, i.e. to hold open discussions with them about organizational objectives and procedures, with a view to mutual adjustment and improvement. Greater reflexivity was, in turn, more likely to lead to business‐government relationships based on co-operative rather than independent or competitive goals. Given the considerable importance of business‐government relationships in China, these findings imply that concern for corporate social responsibility (CSR) may be advantageous for firms there, and we discuss how the HRM function may contribute to development of suitable CSR policies, projects and practices, to greater reflexivity, and to the increased likelihood of establishing co-operative goals.