Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Zoos, Sanctuaries and Turfs: Enactments and Uses of Gay Spaces during the Holidays

Extant theory suggests that the existence of gay space is an important (or even critical) element of gay people's holidays. However, more knowledge on the roles that gay spaces play during the holidays is needed. Drawing on interviews with 53 gay tourists, this paper suggests that the roles gay spaces play differ across gay tourists. Some interviewees enact gay spaces as ‘sanctuaries’, at which one can feel free and openly show one's sexuality. Others feel that gay spaces resemble ‘zoos’, i.e. tourist attractions at which straights gaze upon gays. Finally, some tourists find that gay spaces are too male oriented or even men's turfs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of Cytomegalovirus-Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes In Vitro Is Greatly Enhanced by the Use of Recombinant Virus Lacking the US2 to US11 Region or Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Expressing Individual Viral Genes

ABSTRACT Cytomegalovirus (CMV) elicits a potent T-cell response in humans that appears to protect the host from virus-associated disease. Despite facing strong host defense mechanisms, CMV remains as a lifelong infection that may reactivate and cause life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals. This persistence is probably assisted by expression of immune subversion proteins of the virus encoded by genes belonging to the US gene family. These proteins modulate major histocompatibility complex expression in infected cells and bias in vitro experiments toward the detection of only certain specificities. We have combined the use of recombinant CMV, lacking the US2 to US11 region genes, and cytoplasmic gamma interferon staining to define a more accurate assessment of CMV-specific responses in vivo. Recombinant CMV stimulation reveals a CD8 response much larger than that of parental virus in all donors tested. In some cases, this represented up to 10-fold increases in the number of cells detected. Responses were directed mainly against pp65, IE-1, and pp50 in the majority of donors. In addition, previously unreported IE-2-specific T-cell responses could be detected in a minority of cases. Furthermore, we observed a less marked increase in the response to mutant CMV by CD4 T cells in some donors. This suggests that a much broader T-cell response to CMV exists in vivo than is revealed by restimulation with wild-type virus and adds to the evidence that the efficacy of immune evasion strategies may not be as absolute as previously believed.
Managing people where people really matter: the management of human resources in biotech companies

Strategic human resource (HR) management argues that in knowledge-driven industries people management needs to play a strategic role. An exploratory study of eight biotech start-ups in the US and Australia, however, finds that most do not employ HR professionals or have a lower-level administrator handle HR. How can this be explained? The case studies reported identify a number of reasons for the lack of strategic HR and identify the advantages and disadvantages of having line managers take the lead in people management in contrast to having a strategic HR leader being part of the top management team. Several propositions are also advanced that are worthy of further research, concluding that while there are many potential benefits to hiring a strategic HR professional in a biotech start-up, this is likely to occur under a rare set of conditions.
From consumer satisfaction to repurchase intention: The role of price tolerance in a competitive service market

This paper examines the relationships between consumer satisfaction, price tolerance and repurchase intention. In the literature, relevant studies focus much more on price increase tolerance (i.e. the extent to which price can be increased before satisfied consumers switch away) than on price decrease tolerance (i.e. the extent to which price should be decreased to keep dissatisfied consumers). It is argued, however, that the much neglected price decrease tolerance is equally and sometimes more influential in converting consumer satisfaction/dissatisfaction into repurchase intention, especially in competitive service markets where the ‘next-best’ is readily available. We therefore investigate the following two questions in the paper: (1) what is the relationship between consumer satisfaction and price increase/decrease tolerance when the market is highly competitive? and (2) does price increase/decrease tolerance mediate the relationship between consumer satisfaction and repurchase intention? Using a mediation model and survey data based on the Hong Kong Consumer Satisfaction Index (HKCSI), our findings show that satisfied consumers may not necessarily be willing to accept an increased price for competitive services while less satisfied consumers certainly demand some price discounts. Nevertheless, as it costs less for firms to keep satisfied consumers through service improvements than to attract the less satisfied through price cuts, consumer satisfaction endeavours do pay off in enhancing consumer loyalty and hence firm profitability.
Inhibition of placental P-glycoprotein: impact on indinavir transfer to the foetus.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT We have shown previously using the dually perfused isolated human placenta model that the maternal to foetal transfer of the antiviral protease inhibitor drug indinavir is substantially lower than the transfer in the opposite direction. This finding is not consistent with passive diffusion and indicates that a carrier-mediated mechanism is involved in retarding the movement in the maternal to foetal direction. The efflux transporter P-gp located in the apical membrane domain of the placental trophoblast cells has been implicated as the likely cause of the differential bi-directional transport. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS The present study also utilizes the human perfused human isolated placenta to investigate the possible inhibitory effects of the P-gp inhibitor PSC833 and the P-gp substrate/inhibitor ritonavir on the maternal to foetal transfer clearance of indinavir. The studies, which were conducted such that each placenta served as its own control, demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the maternal to foetal transfer of indinavir in the presence of PSC833 but not in the presence of ritonavir, a protease inhibitor that is often used in combination with other protease inhibitors in dual therapy. The lack of effect of ritonavir is most likely related to the relatively low inhibitory activity at the clinically relevant concentration used in this study. AIMS To investigate the effect of P-gp inhibition on the maternal to foetal transfer of indinavir. METHODS Term human placentae (n = 12) were from non-HIV infected women. Maternal to foetal transfer of indinavir was examined in the absence and presence of P-gp inhibitors PSC833 (n = 7) or ritonavir (n = 5), in the perfused human placenta. Antipyrine and [(3)H]-vinblastine were included as markers of passive diffusion and P-gp transport, respectively. These markers and indinavir were added to maternal perfusate at 0 min; PSC833 or ritonavir was added at 25 min. Steady-state maternal to foetal transfer clearance was calculated during control and inhibitor phases. Indinavir and vinblastine clearances were normalized to antipyrine clearance (clearance index). RESULTS Indinavir clearance index increased between the control (0.25 +/- 0.03) and PSC833 phases (0.37 +/- 0.14) (95% CI of the difference -0.23, -0.002). Vinblastine clearance index increased from (0.25 +/- 0.08) to (0.34 +/- 0.06) in the control and PSC833 phases, respectively (95% CI of difference -0.14, -0.05). Indinavir clearance index was unchanged between control (0.34 +/- 0.14) and ritonavir phases (0.39 +/- 0.13) (95% CI of the difference -0.19, 0.08). Vinblastine clearance index increased from (0.24 +/- 0.12) to (0.32 +/- 0.12) in the control and ritonavir phases, respectively (95% CI of the difference -0.15, -0.009). CONCLUSIONS Maternal to foetal transfer clearance of indinavir and vinblastine increased following P-gp inhibition. The potential role for co-administration of P-gp inhibitors with PIs to reduce perinatal HIV transmission warrants further investigation.
Simulating the Effects of the Tax Credit Program of the Michigan Economic Growth Authority on Job Creation and Fiscal Benefits

This article simulates job and fiscal impacts of the Michigan Economic Growth Authority’s tax credit program for job creation, commonly called “MEGA. ” Under plausible assumptions about how such credits affect business location decisions, the net costs per job created of the MEGA program are simulated to be of modest size. The job creation impacts of MEGA are simulated to be considerably larger than devoting similar dollar resources to general business tax cuts. The simulation methodology developed here is applicable to incentives in other states.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE-PEOPLE PARTNERSHIP AS A WAY TO REDUCE CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS FROM RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

This paper examines the possibility of Public-Private-People partnership (4P) model as a way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from residential developments. The case project focuses on the energy system design as a part of urban planning. Based on the case experiences, the paper presents a 4P framework for low-carbon residential development systems. The theoretical model was tested in one specific case project, Nupurinkartano. The major findings were that the 4P framework is a relevant tool for decreasing carbon emissions when planning a new development; the applied solution delivered an energy system design that could reduce the CO2 emissions of the development by 75%. Based on literature this paper suggests that a new development should be viewed as one system instead of several different subsystems. The paper concludes by suggesting that 4P offers an alternative approach for urban planning, specifically energy system planning, and it can deliver significant improvements in carbon efficiency.
Application of thin-film transistors in label-free DNA biosensors

DNA sensors are the most important biosensors that have been popularly studied. The detection of nucleic acid is of great scientific and economic importance. Applications of DNA sensors include geneexpression monitoring, pharmacogenomic research and drug discovery, clinical diagnostics, and viral and bacterial identifica tion. It is also important for the detection of biowarfare and bioterrorism agents, and for forensic and genetic identification. It has been recognized that the DNA sensors for the above applications should be highly sensitive, selective, integrated, portable and disposable. Therefore, DNA microarray (DNA chip) technology has been developed to offer unprecedented simultaneous and multiplexed analysis in a high-throughput screening format.
Convergence and Divergences in the European Economy: Rebalancing and Being Competitive in a Non-optimal Monetary Union

This paper analyzes the structures, tendencies and challenges of the euro zone due to its non-optimal nature. The impact of the euro is asymmetric and contradictory: in the glorious ten first years a miracle and many bubbles appeared in some euro peripheral economies but they collapsed and enter in an inferno, in a trap despite its rescue by the European Union. The European challenges on competitiveness due to the deficits on productivity and competition are concentrated in the periphery. The virtuous euro zone states, reformed and applying ruled policies, have enlarged their competitiveness. The euroimbalances grew changing the convergence into huge divergences. The structural challenges of the European economy were propelled i) by the non-optimal condition of the euro zone, in particular the no movement of workers, the inflexibility of wages and costs and the no banking union; and b) by the European economic governance deficit, in particular the contradiction between a non-optimal monetary union and the divergent state’ fiscal policies. Europe is an anchor… or a torpedo. The euro zone and its member states are rebalancing, deleveraging and adjusting internally the economies, walking to be competitive. The Union is helping on this, reassessing the added value of Europe. Europe is coming to be an optimal currency area. Nevertheless the Union is suffering from two systemic risks: i) economic because of recession, public failure and credit crunch; and ii) institutional because of having no the instruments of his needs, the emerging euroscepticism, and the tendencies to the disintegration both of the Union and of certain member states. Then there is a need for Europe, acute in many countries. And there is a new task for the Union as regulatory quality developer and even as state builder.
Franchising, agency problems, and the cost of capital

Explanations for franchising are examined in the context of the US hotel industry. The study is distinct from previous research on franchising because it explicitly recognizes the existence of three organizational forms, whereas previous research has focused exclusively on two of these three forms. The two organizational forms examined in previous work are franchising and company ownership. The additional organizational form is company-management/investor-ownership, which involves management by the franchisor and ownership by outside investor groups. A plausible explanation for the existence of the last organizational form is based on the availability of low cost capital from non-chain sources.
The Land Rush and Classic Agrarian Questions of Capital and Labour: a systematic scoping review of the socioeconomic impact of land grabs in Africa

Abstract This paper has two main objectives. First, to address the problematic of the socioeconomic impact of land deals in sub-Saharan Africa by looking at what we know from the available literature so far, namely what has been claimed and how much research has been done, as well as why we do not know very much despite the quantity of material published. This is done via a systematic scoping review, which aims to avoid some of the biases inherent in conventional literature reviews and to provide evidence for some basic features of the emerging research on land grabs in Africa, with specific reference to their contribution to the understanding of livelihood impacts. Second, the article links empirical questions about the impact and implications of land grabs with a discussion of alternative (neglected) research questions, notably the implications of the current land rush phenomenon for the classic agrarian questions of capital and labour, as understood in agrarian political economy. Thus the paper proposes a re-engagement with debates on the classic agrarian questions in a Marxist political economy tradition in order to move the land grab research agenda towards more conceptually and empirically challenging research questions.
Market Reaction to Earnings Surprise Warnings: The Incremental Effect of Shareholder Litigation Risk on the Warning Effect

We examine the incremental effect of shareholder litigation risk on market reaction to earnings surprise warnings, that is, the warning effect. Prior research examines earnings warnings by firms reporting large earnings news (at least 1% of share price), and finds a negative warning effect for bad news firms but no warning effect for good news firms. We find similar results for a larger sample of firms. In addition, we find negative and positive warning effects, respectively, for firms reporting small bad and good earnings news, suggesting that the insignificant warning effect for good news firms is restricted to large earnings news. More importantly, we find that litigation risk magnifies the warning effect—for bad news firms, the warning effect is more negative for high-litigation-risk firms than for low-litigation-risk firms, but for good news firms, the warning effect is more positive for high-litigation-risk firms than for low-litigation-risk firms.
Extrapolation Errors in IPOs

type="main"> We demonstrate that relatively high revenue growth prior to an initial public offering (IPO) is associated with high IPO prices and poor returns. In particular, low-growth IPO returns, −1% on a three-year annualized basis compared to −12% (equal-weighted) or −29% (value-weighted) for high-growth new issues. There is no evidence that the performance differentials reflect risk premia. Rather, low-growth firms’ returns are more stable over time. Finally, while analysts’ forecasts are upwardly biased for all firms, the magnitude of this bias is greatest for firms with rapid pre-IPO revenue growth. Overall, these results are consistent with the extrapolation errors model suggested by Lakonishok, Shleifer, and Vishny (1994).
Cognitive Deficits in Chronic Heart Failure

Background:Patients with heart failure (HF) have been found to have cognitive deficits, but it remains unclear whether these deficits are associated with HF or with aging or comorbid conditions common in HF. Objectives:The purpose of this study was (a) to determine the types, the frequency, and the severity of cognitive deficits among patients with chronic HF compared with age- and education-matched healthy participants and participants with major medical conditions other than HF, and (b) to evaluate the relationships between HF severity, age, and comorbidities and cognitive deficits. Methods:A sample of 414 participants completed the study (249 HF patients, 63 healthy and 102 medical participants). The HF patients completed measures of HF severity, comorbidity (multiple comorbidity, depressive symptoms), and neuropsychological functioning. Blood pressure and oxygen saturation were assessed at interview; clinical variables were abstracted from records. Participants in the comparison groups completed the same measures as the HF patients except those specific to HF. Results:Compared with the healthy and medical participants, HF patients had poorer memory, psychomotor speed, and executive function. Significantly more HF patients (24%) had deficits in three or more domains. Higher (worse) HF severity was associated with more cognitive deficits; HF severity interacted with age to explain deficits in executive function. Surprisingly, men with HF had poorer memory, psychomotor speed, and visuospatial recall ability than women. Multiple comorbidity, hypertension, depressive symptoms, and medications were not associated with cognitive deficits in this sample. Discussion:HF results in losses in memory, psychomotor speed, and executive function in almost one fourth of patients. Patients with more severe HF are at risk for cognitive deficits. Older patients with more severe HF may have more problems in executive function, and men with HF may be at increased risk for cognitive deficits. Studies are urgently needed to identify the mechanisms for the cognitive deficits in HF and to test innovative interventions to prevent cognitive loss and decline.
Parental Monitoring in African American, Single Mother-Headed Families

Parental monitoring is considered an essential parenting skill. Despite its relevance to a range of child and adolescent outcomes, including the prevention of conduct problems and substance use, there has been little empirical attention devoted to examining the antecedents of parental monitoring. Building on Brofenbrenner's ecological model, this study examined the association between the ecological context in which families reside and parental monitoring across two waves of data separated by 15 months. Findings were consistent across increasingly conservative sets of hierarchical multiple regression analyses. Whether the neighborhood was rural or urban and the level of maternal depressive symptoms predicted parental-monitoring behavior concurrently and longitudinally as well as change in parental monitoring over time. Monitoring increased over the 15-month interval more in urban areas than rural areas and among mothers with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Environmental fluctuations lead to predictability in Sin Nombre hantavirus outbreaks

Predicting outbreaks of zoonotic infections in reservoir hosts that live in highly fluctuating environments, such as Sin Nombre virus (SNV) in deer mice, is particularly challenging because host populations vary widely in response to environmental conditions and the relationship between field infection rates and abundance often appears to contradict conventional theory. Using a stage-structured host-pathogen model parameterized and cross-validated from a unique 15-year data set, we show how stochastic population fluctuations can lead to predictable dynamics of SNV in deer mice. Significant variation in host abundance and the basic reproductive number of the virus results in intermittent crossing of the critical host population density necessary for SNV endemicity and frequent local extinctions. When environmental conditions favor growth of the host population above the threshold, host–pathogen interactions lead to delayed density dependence in reservoir prevalence. The resultant ecological delay may provi.
Dead Ducks and Dirty Oil: Media Representations and Environmental Solutions

In April 2008, more than 1,600 migrating ducks died after landing on a toxic tailings pond in the Oil Sands region of northeastern Alberta. The responsible company was found guilty and paid the largest environmental fine in Alberta's history. To assess the nature of this environmental focusing event, we identified 747 newspaper articles that covered this event, published between January 2008 and June 2011. Each article was coded based on date of publication, voices represented, and solutions proposed. The coverage was concentrated following the original and related events, creating a focusing event, and expressed mainly the voices of powerful actors in industry, government, and environmental groups. Most of the solutions proposed were short term and depicted a zero-sum trade-off between environmental and economic interests. We suggest that more sustained media attention with a greater diversity of voices and solutions could foster greater dialogue around environmental challenges like toxic tailings ponds.
Anxiety Disorder Presentations in Asian Populations: A Review

This article reviews typical anxiety presentations in Asia, and among Asian refugees. In Asia, there are multiple functional somatic syndromes that are common anxiety presentations. These distress syndromes often produce catastrophic cognitions about anxiety‐type somatic and psychological symptoms. These functional somatic syndromes should be understood, and specifically assessed and addressed, in order to optimize the evaluation and treatment of anxiety disorders among Asian individuals.