Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES ON SERUM SEROTONIN IN FEMALES OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE GROUP.

BACKGROUND Many types of hormonal contraceptives are in use nowadays for example oral pills, emergency contraceptive pills, vaginal rings, implantable rods and injectable contraceptives (combined and progestogens only). The purpose of this study was to determine and compare serum serotonin levels in married fertile females of reproductive age group using hormonal contraceptives with non-contraceptive users. METHODS A total of 300 women were selected in the study. This cross sectional study included three groups; Group-1 (control), group-2 (combined oral contraceptive users) and group-3 (injectable contraceptive users). History and examination of subjects were recorded on pro forma. Levels of serum serotonin were measured using standard ELISA kits. Results were analysed by one way ANOVA and a p-value 0.05% was taken as significant, using SPSS 16.0. RESULTS The mean age of the patients in group-1 was 30.4 ± 6.1 years, group-2 was 28.9 ± 4.9 and in group-3 was 2.5 ± 6.8 years. For subjects in group-1, group-2 and group 3 the mean ± SD concentration of serum serotonin was 160.68 ± 53.27 ng/dl, 227.3 ± 63.98 ng/dl and 118.19 ± 31.32 ng/dl. A significant (p = 0.00) difference was seen among three groups, i.e., group-1, group-2 and group-3. After applying Post HOC Tukey's HSD, there was statistically no significant difference between group-1 and group-2 (p = 0.956). Difference was seen between group-2 and group-3 (p = 0.00), it was also significant between group-3 and group-1 (p = 0.00). CONCLUSION It was concluded that hormonal contraceptives affect the levels of serum serotonin.
An Observed Effect of Ultraviolet Radiation Emitted from Beta-Irradiated HaCaT Cells upon Non-Beta-Irradiated Bystander Cells

Previous research has shown that beta radiation can induce ultraviolet (UV) photon emission in human keratinocyte cells. Spectral analysis using a filter-based method in the ultraviolet range demonstrated that the strongest externally measureable photon emission was induced by beta radiation in the UVA range. In the current study, the potential biological implications of this UV photon emission from beta-irradiated cells were investigated. HaCaT human keratinocyte cells were irradiated with tritium (3H) and the photon emission induced was concurrently measured at the strongest externally measurable wavelength, 340 ± 5 nm, using a combination filter-photomultiplier tube system. Unirradiated reporter HaCaT cell cultures were also placed directly above 3H-irradiated cells so that they would receive the induced secondary photons emitted from beta-irradiated cells, and the clonogenic survival in reporter cells was then assessed. Maximum photon emission (1207.04 ± 107.65 counts per second) was observed during irradiation of 2,000 cells/cm2 with 3H and the maximum reporter cell death (23.2 ± 0.9% reduction in survival) was observed under the same conditions. The measured photon emission from beta-irradiated cells and reporter cell death were strongly correlated (r = 0.977, P < 0.01). Placement of a polyethylene terephthalate filter, designed to eliminate >90% of UV wavelengths below 390 nm, between the directly irradiated and reporter cell layers was effective in nearly abolishing both 340 nm photon detection and reporter cell death in treated groups. Concurrent treatment of reporter cells with lomefloxacin during exposure to the secondary photons resulted in significantly increased cell killing, indicating a potential synergistic effect, while melanin treatment resulted in decreased reporter cell killing regardless of irradiation. These results suggest that secondary photons in the UV spectral range induced by beta irradiation play a role in inducing a response in neighboring non-beta-irradiated reporter cells.
Transferring Subsidiary Knowledge to Global Headquarters: Subsidiary Senior Executives' Perceptions of the Role of HR Configurations in the Development of Knowledge Stocks

We examine the role played by subsidiaries’ human resource (HR) practices in the development of subsidiaries’ knowledge stocks (defined as human and social capital) and the association of such knowledge stocks with knowledge transfer from subsidiaries to headquarters in multinational corporations (MNCs). Drawing on a survey of 151 Australian subsidiary senior executives of U.S., German and Japanese MNCs, our findings suggest that the role of subsidiaries' HR practices lies in nurturing ties between a subsidiary and its external stakeholders and in accumulating knowledge of strategic importance not only for the subsidiary but also for its headquarters.
The New Swedish Regime for Collective Bargaining and Conflict Resolution: A Comparative Perspective

This article discusses the new system of conflict resolution and coordinated wage bargaining introduced in Sweden in 1997. First adopted by agreement between unions and employers in the manufacturing sector, it has been imitated in the public sector and formed the model for legislation in 2000. The author discusses the significance of these developments and locates the Swedish experience in a broader European comparative perspective.
Songbird migration across the Sahara: the non-stop hypothesis rejected!

Billions of songbirds breeding in the Western Palaearctic cross the largest desert of the world, the Sahara, twice a year. While crossing Europe, the vast majority use an intermittent flight strategy, i.e. fly at night and rest or feed during the day. However, it was long assumed that they overcome the Sahara in a 40 h non-stop flight. In this study, we observed bird migration with radar in the plain sand desert of the Western Sahara (Mauritania) during autumn and spring migration and revealed a clear prevalence of intermittent migration. Massive departures of songbirds just after sunset independent of site and season suggests strongly that songbirds spent the day in the plain desert. Thus, most songbirds cross the Sahara predominately by the intermittent flight strategy. Autumn migration took place mainly at low altitudes with high temperatures, its density decreased abruptly before sunrise, followed by very little daytime migration. Migration was highly restricted to night-time and matched perfectly the intermittent flight strategy. However, in spring, when migratory flights occurred at much higher altitudes than in autumn, in cool air, about 17% of the songbird migration occurred during the day. This suggests that flying in high temperatures and turbulent air, as is the case in autumn, may lead to an increase in water and/or energy loss and may prevent songbirds from prolonged flights into the day.
Business cycles and productivity growth: Are temporary downturns productive or wasteful?

This paper investigates the relationship between the structure of the business cycle and total factor productivity (TFP) growth in U.S. manufacturing. Previous empirical studies on cycle-growth interactions have been conducted at the aggregate level, and have produced mixed results. In contrast, we examine the dynamic linkages between temporary employment shocks and TFP at the industry level, using the NBER Productivity Database. Given the substantial differences in factor intensities, costs and the nature of innovation and productivity-enhancing activities across industries, there are good reasons why cycle-growth interactions may be more readily captured at the sectoral level. We construct an exactly identified Vector Autoregressive model for employment and TFP growth, and find strong support for the “opportunity-cost” view of business cycle-productivity growth interaction. This result suggests that recessions can lead to TFP growth through reorganization and restructuring effects. On the other hand, we find little support for the notion that temporary booms increase TFP through “learning-by-doing” effects. The responsiveness of TFP to employment shocks also seems to be related to the degree of job reallocation within individual industries and the capital intensity of the industry in question. This is further evidence in favour of the view that employment shocks can trigger reorganization effects. Finally, we suggest possible future avenues for this research, including the adjustment of TFP measures to allow for variable factor utilization over the cycle.
Economics of Banana Production and Marketing in the Tropics : A Case Study of Cameroon

In most African countries, banana production has been consigned to subsistence production. However, a few countries, especially in Francophone West Africa, have recognised the commercial importance of banana, and have used their special relationship with France to export bananas. This has led to the dualization of the banana sector, with the traditional system existing side by side with a modern sector geared towards export trade. This book is one of the few comprehensive studies that have incorporated both the agronomic and economic aspects of banana production and marketing in Africa. It looks at all facets of banana production, from an historical perspective to the various traditional and modern technologies involved. The marketing aspect covers both the domestic and international trade, with emphasis on the preferential (ACP / DOM Lome Convention) and the open markets of the European Union. The book is a major contribution to understanding the internationalisation of the banana trade and to its ever-increasing investment portfolio, as the backbone of many a developing tropical economy. Although the emphasis is placed on Cameroon, other relevant African, tropical and subtropical banana-producing countries are mentioned where necessary, especially in the export sector where a degree of competition existed. Further, agricultural practices, soils, meteorological and climatological characteristics, pests and diseases, personnel and banana varieties grown, mean that findings in Cameroon are of relevance to other banana-producing countries, especially in Africa. Meanwhile, other African and tropical countries still contemplating entry into banana exports would benefit from the Cameroon experience. The book is of especial relevance to agronomists, entomologists, economists, farm managers, government policy makers, large, medium and small scale banana growers, and students and teachers in universities and schools of agriculture.
Will Valuation Ratios Revert to Historical Means?

Stock market valuation ratios such as dividend-price and price-earnings ratios are at extreme levels by historical standards. Simple mean reversion theory suggests that either equity prices must fall substantially, or earnings and dividends must accelerate sharply, or some combination of these events must happen. Of course, the means of valuation ratios could have changed. To assess the likelihood of means changes, the authors perform break point tests on the means of the valuation ratios and find empirical evidence of breaks. They also review alternative explanations for structural change in the ratios. Although no single explanation may be convincing by itself, when the evidence is taken together with empirical evidence of structural change, the authors conclude that the means have changed. They estimate that the mean of the dividend-price ratio has dropped to somewhere between 1% and 2%, and the mean of the price-earnings ratio has risen to somewhere between 20 and 25, perhaps even higher.
Subtypes of mild cognitive impairment among the elderly with major depressive disorder in remission.

BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment in remitted late-life depression varies and might be associated with greater risk of dementia in some individuals. This study aimed to classify the subtypes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in late-life major depressive disorder in remission and to examine their clinical correlates and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features. METHODS Elderly patients with major depressive disorder in remission and elderly comparisons were examined by a comprehensive battery of cognitive tasks. Proposed diagnostic criteria were used for MCI classification, and the degree of brain atrophy and white matter hyperintensity on MRI were evaluated. RESULTS We found information-processing speed and memory were independent cognitive domains associated with late-life remitted major depressive disorder. Of the study cohort, 52.3% met the definition of MCI, including 28.5% with amnestic MCI (aMCI) and 23.8% with nonamnestic MCI (naMCI). A clinical correlate of aMCI was the late-onset of disorder (OR = 4.76; 95% CI = 1.57, 14.40) and of naMCI was a higher score on the Framingham stroke risk scale (OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.12, 1.72). The odds ratio of highest quartile of ventricular atrophy for aMCI compared to the comparisons was 3.65 (95% CI = 1.22, 10.96). CONCLUSIONS The central cognitive impairments among the elderly with major depressive disorder in remission were memory and information-processing speed, and over half of the subjects met the MCI diagnostic criteria. Different risk factors existed for the subtypes of aMCI and naMCI. Later-age onset of first episode and ventricular atrophy were associated with aMCI, whereas vascular risk factor were associated with naMCI. We suggest there were different pathogeneses between aMCI and naMCI in late-life major depressive disorder.
Reducing signs of aging and increasing lifespan by drug synergy

Disease incidence rises rapidly with age and increases both human suffering and economic hardship while shortening life. Advances in understanding the signaling pathways and cellular processes that influence aging support the possibility of reducing the incidence of age‐related diseases and increasing lifespan by pharmacological intervention. Here, we demonstrate a novel pharmacological strategy that both reduces signs of aging in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and generates a synergistic increase in lifespan. By combining a low dose of rapamycin, to reduce activity of the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) protein kinase, and myriocin, to reduce sphingolipid synthesis, we show enhancement of autophagy, genomic stability, mitochondrial function, and AMP kinase pathway activity. These processes are controlled by evolutionarily conserved signal transduction pathways that are vital for maintaining a healthy state and promoting a long life. Thus, our data show that it ought to be possible to find pharmacological approaches to generate a synergistic reduction in the incidence of human age‐related diseases to improve health quality in the elderly and enhance lifespan.
Hic, a Novel Surface Protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae That Interferes with Complement Function*

The important human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae was found to absorb factor H, an inhibitor of complement, from human plasma. We identified the gene encoding a novel surface protein, factor H-binding inhibitor ofcomplement (Hic), in the pspC locus of type 3 pneumococci. Unlike PspC proteins in other serotypes, Hic is anchored to the cell wall by means of an LPXTG motif, and the overall sequence homology to various PspC proteins is low. However, the NH2-terminal region showed significant homology to the NH2-terminal region of several PspC proteins. A fragment of Hic, covering this homologous region, was expressed as a glutathioneS-transferase (GST) fusion protein. GST:Hic39–261 bound radiolabeled factor H and inhibited binding of factor H to pneumococci of different serotypes. Interaction kinetics between GST:Hic39–261 and factor H were studied with surface plasmon resonance and showed a high affinity binding (K A = 5 × 107,K D = 2.3 × 10− 8). Mutant pneumococci lacking Hic showed no absorption of factor H in human plasma and no binding of radiolabeled factor H, suggesting that Hic is responsible for factor H-binding in type 3 pneumococci. Factor H-dependent inhibition of the alternative pathway was not diminished by the presence of GST:Hic39–261. In addition, an intrinsic inhibitory effect of Hic is suggested.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI TINGKAT SEWA SUKUK IJARAH

Fenomena sukuk ijarah yang memberikan return yang tetap lebih diminati dibanding obligasi syariah mudharabah. Menurut investor skim ijarah dinilai cukup prospektif bagi para emiten yang berniat menerbitkan obligasi syariah. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk menganalisis pengaruh produk domestik bruto, ukuran perusahaan, jatuh tempo obligasi dan debt to equity ratio terhadap tingkat sewa sukuk ijarah. Populasi penelitian ini adalah perusahaan yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia dan menerbitkan obligasi syariah ijarah tahun 2004-2012 yang melaporkan laporan keuangan yang lengkap dan dipublikasikan. Teknik pemilihan sampel menggunakan purposive sampling . Sampel yang sesuai dengan kriteria sebanyak 17 perusahaan. Metode analisis data penelitian ini yaitu analisis regresi berganda. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan produk domestik bruto dan ukuran perusahaan terbukti memiliki pengaruh negatif terhadap tingkat sewa sukuk ijarah, sedangkan jatuh tempo obligasi dan debt to equity ratio tidak berpengaruh terhadap tingkat sewa sukuk ijarah. Ijara sukuk fenomena which provide a fixed return more attractive than mudaraba islamic bonds. According to the investors, ijara scheme was considered enough prospective for the issuer that intends to issue islamic bonds. The purpose of this study to analyze the effect of gross domestic product, company size, maturity of bonds and debt to equity ratio to rent rate of ijara sukuk. The study population was a company listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange and ijara islamic bonds issued in 2004-2012 that reported complete and published of financial statements. The Technique of sample selection used purposive sampling. Samples that accroding with the criteria was 17 companies. Methods of data analysis in this study was multiple regression analysis. Testing result show that the gross domestic product and company size had negative effect to rent rate of ijara sukuk, while the maturity of bonds and the debt to equity ratio had not effect to rent rate of ijara sukuk.
When Does It Take a Nixon to Go to China

Substantial policy changes, like market-oriented reforms by populist parties and steps towards peace by 'hawks,' are sometimes implemented by 'unlikely' parties. To account for such episodes, this paper develops a framework in which incumbent politicians have better information about the state of the world than voters. The incumbent is unable to credibly transmit all this information since voters are also imperfectly informed about his ideology. The paper identifies conditions under which an incumbent party's electoral prospects increase the more atypical the policy it proposes. Popular support for a policy, or its 'credibility,' depends on the policymaker-policy pair. Copyright 1998 by American Economic Association.
Ultrastructural changes in the chick thymus following unilateral vagotomy

The ultrastructure of the thymus in the chick (Gallus domesticus) was studied after unilateral vagotomy at survival times of 3, 7 and 10 days. Ultrastructural changes in the ipsilateral thymus were observed in axon boutons as well as in myoid and cystic cells in the medulla, especially those situated near the corticomedullary junction. Structural changes in axon boutons ranged from granular degeneration of the axonal cytoskeleton to vacuolation of the axoplasm. Myelin figures of different sizes and configurations and clumping of small agranular vesicles were commonly observed in the axon terminals. Degeneration of myoid cells appeared to peak at 7 days post‐vagotomy. Changes ranged from oedematous appearance and intense vacuolation of the peripheral cytoplasm to disorganisation and clumping of myofibrils. In some myoid cells the sarcomeres showed granular degeneration at the I‐bands and in others, the myofibrils were completely degenerated such that amorphous material and partially degenerated organelles filled the entire cell. The majority of cystic cells at 3 days post‐vagotomy showed a uniform increase in electron density. Numerous electron dense bodies, some displaying concentric lamellation, were observed throughout the expanse of the cytoplasm. At 7 days post‐vagotomy, the cytoplasm of some cells gave a “moth‐eaten” appearance. Dying cystic cells were encountered at 10 days after vagotomy. Degeneration in the myoid and cystic cells suggests that these cellular components may be the putative targets of the vagal fibres in the chick thymus. The changes in these cells reflect a disturbance in the cell metabolism presumably brought about by the removal of vagal influence. Anat Rec 255:261–270, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Behind brand performance

Purpose – This investigation into consumer goods manufacturing companies in Vietnam seeks to discern if such constructs as corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethics act as antecedents for brand performance with the mediating role of integrated performance measures.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 387 responses reverted from self‐administered structured questionnaires despatched to 1,452 middle level managers were dissected via ANOVAs and structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings – From the findings emerged the interconnections between ethics of justice and legal CSR/economic CSR. Ethics of care, on the other hand, tends to nourish ethical CSR, which in turn positively impact performance measurement integratedness. The findings also paved the path from performance measurement integratedness to high brand performance.Originality/value – From the results of the study, the insight into the interconnection pattern of brand performance and its antecedents highlights the magnitude of CSR and et.
Co-production of service innovations through dynamic capability enhancement

The main aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of co-production practices with customers on service innovation. Specifically, we sought to determine whether dynamic capabilities (the specific abilities a company has to shape, reshape, configure, and reconfigure idiosyncratic assets to respond to changing technologies and markets) could mediate the effect of co-production on service innovation. In this paper, we examine the factors that could influence co-production practices and determine whether organizational commitment moderates the effect of co-production practice on an organization's dynamic capabilities. Using a survey approach of Taiwanese firms, we showed that dynamic capability fully mediates the effects of co-production practice on service innovation and that market orientation and customer matching have a significant influence on co-production practices. In addition, this study has empirically demonstrated that service firms would be well advised to engage in developing service innovation through enhancing their own dynamic capabilities.
Lack of Significant Elevation of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Peripheral Blood of Chronically Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Individuals

ABSTRACT Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are immature myeloid cells with immunosuppressive function. Compared to the level in healthy controls (HC), no elevation of MDSC in chronic hepatitis C (cHEP-C) patients was found, and there was no difference in MDSC based on genotype or viral load (P > 0.25). Moreover, MDSC of cHEP-C patients inhibited CD8 T cell function as efficiently as MDSC of HC did. Since we detected neither quantitative nor qualitative differences in MDSC of cHEP-C patients relative to those of HC, we postulate that MDSC in peripheral blood are most likely not significant regarding immune dysfunction in cHEP-C.