Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Nation of Poets and Thinkers - Less so with Eastern Enlargement? Austria and Germany

Many people in the European Union fear that Eastern Enlargement will lead to major job losses. More recently, these fears about job losses have extended to high skill labor and IT jobs. The paper examines with new firm level data whether these fears are justified for the two neighboring countries of Eastern Enlargement: Austria and Germany. We find that Eastern Enlargement leads to surprisingly small job losses, because jobs in Eastern Europe do not compete with jobs in Austria and Germany. Low cost jobs of affiliates in Eastern Europe help Austrian and German firms to stay competitive in an increasingly competitive environment. However, we also find that multinational firms in Austria and Germany are outsourcing the most skill intensive activities to Eastern Europe, taking advantage of cheap abundant skilled labor in Eastern Europe. We find that the firms' outsourcing activities to Eastern Europe are a response to a human capital scarcity in Austria and Germany which became particularly severe in the 1990s. Corporations' outsourcing of skill intensive firm activity to Eastern Europe has helped to ease the human capital crisis in both countries. We find that high skilled jobs transferred to Eastern Europe account for 10 percent of Germany's and 48 percent of Austria's supply of university graduates in the 1990s. We then discuss what can be done to address the skill exodus to Eastern Europe. We show that R&D subsidies do not work in economies with a skill crisis and we suggest liberalizing the movement of high skill labor with Eastern Enlargement.
TLINKAGE-IMPRINT: A Model-Based Approach to Performing Two-Locus Genetic Imprinting Analysis

Objectives: Imprinting refers to the expression of only one copy of a gene pair, which is determined by the parental origin of the copy. Imprinted genes play a role in the development of several complex diseases, including cancers and mental disorders. In certain situations, two-trait-loci models are shown to be more powerful than one-trait-locus models. However, no current methods use pedigree structure efficiently and perform two-locus imprinting analyses. In this paper, we apply the Elston-Stewart algorithm to the parametric two-trait-loci imprinting model used by Strauch et al. [2000] to obtain a method for qualitative trait linkage analyses that explicitly models imprinting and can be applied to large pedigrees. Methods: We considered a parametric approach based on 4 × 4 penetrance matrix to account for imprinting and modified TLINKAGE software to implement this approach. We performed simulation studies using a small and a large pedigree under dominant and imprinted and dominant or imprinted scenarios. Furthermore, we developed a likelihood ratio-based test for imprinting that compares the logarithm of odds (LOD) score obtained using the two-locus imprinting model with that obtained using the standard two-locus model that does not allow for imprinting. Results: In simulation studies of three scenarios where the true mode of inheritance included imprinting, accurate modeling through the proposed approach yielded higher LOD scores and better recombination fraction estimates than the traditional two-locus model that does not allow for imprinting. Conclusions: This imprinting model will be useful in identifying the genes responsible for several complex disorders that are potentially caused by a combination of imprinted and non-imprinted genes.
Tumor cells, but not endothelial cells, mediate eradication of primary sarcomas by stereotactic body radiation therapy

Tumor cells, rather than endothelial cells, are critical targets that regulate primary sarcoma eradication by radiation therapy. Not all cells are eradicated equally Personalized cancer therapies dominate the news. But radiation therapy continues to be an essential part of the treatment regimens of nearly half of all cancer patients—sometimes achieving complete tumor regression through the safe delivery of high doses of radiation. Previous research with transplanted tumor models in mice has suggest that radiation targets, not only the tumor cells themselves, but also components of the surrounding milieu, which comprises blood vessels and various cell types that influence tumor growth. Now Moding et al. challenge the earlier findings in studies conducted with primary sarcomas in mice that carried, in either tumor or endothelial cells, genetic mutations that modulate radiation sensitivity. The authors found that it was the tumor, rather than endothelial, cells that mediate primary sarcoma shrinkage by radiation therapy and that selective small-molecule inhibition of a DNA-damage response enzyme can enhance radiosensitization of some tumors. Cancer clinics currently use high-dose stereotactic body radiation therapy as a curative treatment for several kinds of cancers. However, the contribution of vascular endothelial cells to tumor response to radiation remains controversial. Using dual recombinase technology, we generated primary sarcomas in mice with targeted genetic mutations specifically in tumor cells or endothelial cells. We selectively mutated the proapoptotic gene Bax or the DNA damage response gene Atm to genetically manipulate the radiosensitivity of endothelial cells in primary soft tissue sarcomas. Bax deletion from endothelial cells did not affect radiation-induced cell death in tumor endothelial cells or sarcoma response to radiation therapy. Although Atm deletion increased endothelial cell death after radiation therapy, deletion of Atm from endothelial cells failed to enhance sarcoma eradication. In contrast, deletion of Atm from tumor cells increased sarcoma eradication by radiation therapy. These results demonstrate that tumor cells, rather than endothelial cells, are critical targets that regulate sarcoma eradication by radiation therapy. Treatment with BEZ235, a small-molecule protein kinase inhibitor, radiosensitized primary sarcomas more than the heart. These results suggest that inhibiting ATM kinase during radiation therapy is a viable strategy for radiosensitization of some tumors.
Courtship violence among college students.

Recent concern with family violence has focused on child abuse and wife battering while other forms have been relatively neglected. A need to recognize and focus on violence that occurs during the dating and courtship period is suggested. Descriptive information on the extent and nature of courtship violence found in a sample of college students is reported. The significance of the figures the "idealized" nature of both popular and professional accounts of the dating and courtship period and the need for further work in this area are discussed. (authors)
Post-Placement Adjustment and the Needs of Birthmothers Who Place an Infant for Adoption

This study examines the emotional health of women who placed an infant for adoption during the first year post-placement and in their current life. Data were collected from 235 women, on average, 3.5 years after placement. Approximately 75% of women viewed their emotional health as “very poor,” “poor,” or “neutral” in the first year post-placement. Despite improvement in emotional health over time, over a third continued to report significant problems in their current life. Birthmothers' adjustment was positively related to level of support and to support satisfaction. Implications for helping women recover from this life stressor are discussed.
Firm size and recruitment: staffing practices in small and large organisations in north Cyprus

This paper investigates the differences between staffing methods used in small and large organisations in north Cyprus. Possible reasons for small organisations preferring some methods over others are discussed, along with the general problems small firms face in recruiting employees. Our survey results show that small organisations are more likely to rely on informal methods of recruitment, but no significant relationship was found between the choice of recruitment method and human resource management outcomes such as employee turnover rate.
Diagnostic Overlap between Fanconi Anemia and the Cohesinopathies: Roberts Syndrome and Warsaw Breakage Syndrome

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a recessively inherited disease characterized by multiple symptoms including growth retardation, skeletal abnormalities, and bone marrow failure. The FA diagnosis is complicated due to the fact that the clinical manifestations are both diverse and variable. A chromosomal breakage test using a DNA cross-linking agent, in which cells from an FA patient typically exhibit an extraordinarily sensitive response, has been considered the gold standard for the ultimate diagnosis of FA. In the majority of FA patients the test results are unambiguous, although in some cases the presence of hematopoietic mosaicism may complicate interpretation of the data. However, some diagnostic overlap with other syndromes has previously been noted in cases with Nijmegen breakage syndrome. Here we present results showing that misdiagnosis may also occur with patients suffering from two of the three currently known cohesinopathies, that is, Roberts syndrome (RBS) and Warsaw breakage syndrome (WABS). This complication may be avoided by scoring metaphase chromosomes—in addition to chromosomal breakage—for spontaneously occurring premature centromere division, which is characteristic for RBS and WABS, but not for FA.
Supportive and Unsupportive Aspects of the Behavior of Others Toward Victims of Sexual and Nonsexual Assault

Victims and their primary significant others (SOs) were asked to rate the amounts of supportive and unsupportive behaviors of the SOs following sexual or nonsexual assaults. Victim and SO reports of supportive behavior were moderately correlated, but victim and SO reports of unsupportive behavior were only weakly correlated. Nevertheless, victims and SOs reported similar levels of both supportive and unsupportive behavior. Neither victim nor SO report data revealed differences in amounts of supportive SO behavior according to whether the crime was a sexual or a nonsexual assault. According to both victims and SOs, however, rape victims received higher levels of unsupportive SO behavior. Moreover, according to victim reports, unsupportive actions of female SOs were comparable in sexual and nonsexual assault cases: Male SOs, however, were far more likely to engage in unsupportive actions in sexual assault cases than in nonsexual assaults.
Reduced Ventral Cingulum Integrity and Increased Behavioral Problems in Children with Isolated Optic Nerve Hypoplasia and Mild to Moderate or No Visual Impairment

Objectives To assess the prevalence of behavioral problems in children with isolated optic nerve hypoplasia, mild to moderate or no visual impairment, and no developmental delay. To identify white matter abnormalities that may provide neural correlates for any behavioral abnormalities identified. Patients and Methods Eleven children with isolated optic nerve hypoplasia (mean age 5.9 years) underwent behavioral assessment and brain diffusion tensor imaging, Twenty four controls with isolated short stature (mean age 6.4 years) underwent MRI, 11 of whom also completed behavioral assessments. Fractional anisotropy images were processed using tract-based spatial statistics. Partial correlation between ventral cingulum, corpus callosum and optic radiation fractional anisotropy, and child behavioral checklist scores (controlled for age at scan and sex) was performed. Results Children with optic nerve hypoplasia had significantly higher scores on the child behavioral checklist (p<0.05) than controls (4 had scores in the clinically significant range). Ventral cingulum, corpus callosum and optic radiation fractional anisotropy were significantly reduced in children with optic nerve hypoplasia. Right ventral cingulum fractional anisotropy correlated with total and externalising child behavioral checklist scores (r = −0.52, p<0.02, r = −0.46, p<0.049 respectively). There were no significant correlations between left ventral cingulum, corpus callosum or optic radiation fractional anisotropy and behavioral scores. Conclusions Our findings suggest that children with optic nerve hypoplasia and mild to moderate or no visual impairment require behavioral assessment to determine the presence of clinically significant behavioral problems. Reduced structural integrity of the ventral cingulum correlated with behavioral scores, suggesting that these white matter abnormalities may be clinically significant. The presence of reduced fractional anisotropy in the optic radiations of children with mild to moderate or no visual impairment raises questions as to the pathogenesis of these changes which will need to be addressed by future studies.
Using Machine Learning for Non-Sentential Utterance Classification

In this paper we investigate the use of machine learning techniques to classify a wide range of non-sentential utterance types in dialogue, a necessary first step in the interpretation of such fragments. We train different learners on a set of contextual features that can be extracted from PoS information. Our results achieve an 87% weighted f-score—a 25% improvement over a simple rule-based algorithm baseline.
The Influence of a Bupivacaine and Fentanyl Epidural Infusion After Epidural Fentanyl in Patients Allowed to Ambulate in Early Labor

Epidural fentanyl after a lidocaine and epinephrine test dose provides adequate analgesia and allows for ambulation during early labor. This study was designed to determine the influence of an epidural infusion of bupivacaine plus fentanyl administered after initiation of epidural labor analgesia with fentanyl. Specifically, we evaluated whether there is an increase in motor block or an increased time to request for further analgesic medication. Fifty-one laboring primigravid women at <5 cm cervical dilation who requested epidural analgesia were enrolled. After a 3-mL epidural test dose of 1.5% lidocaine with epinephrine (5 &mgr;g/mL), patients received fentanyl 100 &mgr;g via the epidural catheter. They then randomly received either an infusion (10 mL/h) of 0.0625% bupivacaine with fentanyl (3 &mgr;g/mL) or an infusion of preservative-free saline. After the administration of the initial analgesic, pain scores and side effects were recorded for each patient at 10, 20, and 30 min, every 30 min thereafter, and at the time of request for additional analgesic medication, by an observer blinded to the technique used. There were no demographic differences between the two groups. The mean duration of analgesia (time from initial dose to request for additional analgesia) was increased in the group that received a continuous infusion of bupivacaine and fentanyl compared with the Saline group (198 ± 86 vs 145 ± 50 min;P < 0.009). Side effects were similar between the two groups. No patient in either group experienced any detectable motor block. Fourteen patients chose to ambulate in the Saline group, and 12 patients chose to ambulate in the Infusion group. In early laboring patients, a continuous infusion of 0.0625% bupivacaine infusion with fentanyl (3 &mgr;g/mL) prolonged the duration until top-up was required, after epidural fentanyl 100 &mgr;g after a lidocaine and epinephrine test dose, and did not cause any clinically detectable motor block.
Expression of Xylanase from A.niger C3486 and Analysis by Bioinformatics

Xylanase (E.C 3.2.1.8) is a widespread group of enzyme which can catalyze the endohydrolysis of 1,4-beta-D-xylosidic linkages in xylan. Xylanse has a wide application in industrial processes. In this study, the total RNA was isolated, the mature xylanase gene was obtained from Aspergillus niger C3486 by RT-PCR. To achieve secretive expression, pET32a (+) was used as expression vector, and the cloned gene was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). After induction by IPTG, a large quantity of xylanase was produced with xylanase activity. With the analysis of bioinformatics, this xylanase contains a preceding peptide. Moreover, it has a typical conserve domain of xylanase. Perdicted by web site on line, the xylanase is globulin, and its super structure contains many beta sheets.
Expression of programmed death ligand-1 predicts poor outcome in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) is a potentially important tumor immunotherapy target. However, whether PD-L1 expression is associated with survival in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between PD-L1 expression and prognosis in NPC. The expression of PD-L1 was assessed in tumor specimens from 120 patients with NPC using immunohistochemistry. Staining was evaluated using the H-score method. The associations between PD-L1 expression and clinical characteristics and prognosis were analyzed. Overall, 78% of the patients had stage I–III and 22% had stage IV disease. The estimated 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates for the entire cohort were 87.5 and 70.1%, respectively. PD-L1 expression was detected in 85 (71%) patients and was localized to the tumor cells. High tumor expression of PD-L1 (median H-score ≥5) was associated with significantly poorer OS (P=0.023) and DFS (P=0.002). Univariate analysis indicated that low PD-L1 expression was associated with better DFS compared with high PD-L1 expression (HR=0.163, 95% CI: 0.044–0.600, P=0.006 for DFS). Multivariate analysis revealed that T stage (HR=8.190, 95% CI: 1.355–18.152; P=0.023) and PD-L1 expression level (HR=0.124, 95% CI: 0.031–0.509; P=0.001) served as independent prognostic factors for DFS. In conclusion, tumor PD-L1 expression was found to be a significant prognostic factor in NPC, and high PD-L1 expression may be of prognostic value for recurrence and metastasis following conventional treatments.
Determination of Likelihood Ratios for Forensic Voice Comparison Using Principal Component Analysis

The likelihood ratio (LR) framework is gaining increasing acceptance amongst forensic speech scientists when undertaking forensic voice comparison. Multivariate Kernel Density (MVKD) is one approach that has been used for calculating LRs when the number of parameters is in the region of 3 or 4. However there could be robustness issues with this approach when the number of parameters is larger than this. In this paper we present an alternative to the MVKD approach, termed Principal Component Analysis Kernel Density Likelihood Ratio (PCAKLR), which takes account of within-segment correlations, yet is computationally robust irrespective of the number of parameters used. We show that PCAKLR produces comparable results to MVKD for small numbers of parameters. Further, it also has the ability to directly handle between-segment correlations and is thus an alternative to the logistic-regression fusion typically used to combine results from multiple segments.
Effects of Listening Conditions, Error Types, and Ensemble Textures on Error Detection Skills

This study was designed with three main purposes: (a) to investigate the effects of two listening conditions on error detection accuracy, (b) to compare error detection responses for rhythm errors and pitch errors, and (c) to examine the influences of texture on error detection accuracy. Undergraduate music education students (N = 18) listened to purposefully incorrect performances of band literature in two formats, on recordings and while conducting a live ensemble. Pitch and rhythm errors were inserted into the music excerpts to investigate responses to different types of errors. Half of the excerpts were played by the full ensemble and half by a single section. Participants served as their own controls by completing the error detection tasks under all conditions. Results indicated that participants were significantly more successful in identifying errors in the recording condition than in the conducting condition. A significant interaction existed between the error type (pitch or rhythm) and the ensemble texture (single section or full ensemble). Participants identified rhythm errors more accurately in the single section texture and diagnosed pitch errors more successfully in the full ensemble excerpts.
Meaning Recall and Retention: The Impact of the Translation Method on Elementary Level Learners’ Vocabulary Learning

Whilst the communicative approach advocates the use of the target language and implicit/incidental learning in vocabulary teaching, recent literature suggests that there is a need for these methods to be reconsidered. This is motivated by studies which suggest that for effective vocabulary learning process to occur explicit learning should be complemented with implicit learning. Given this, a study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the translation method in teaching vocabulary to elementary level ESL learners in Form 4. The translation method is used in the study because it uses the learners’ L1 as the medium of instruction and it involves explicit learning. The findings of the study reveal that the translation method has a positive impact on learners’ recall and retention of the meaning of words that they learned. Recommendations are made in the paper for the incorporation of this method in the Malaysian English language syllabus and its implementation in English language classrooms, in particular, in teaching vocabulary to elementary level learners.
ON THE PATHOGENESIS OF GASTRIC ULCER IN THE AGED AND ON THE ANTAGONISM BETWEEN CALCIFIED ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND GASTRIC CARCINOMA: A RADIOLOGICAL STUDY

Radiography of the abdominal aorta was used to study the incidence of calcified atheroma in 330 cases of primary gastric ulcer, 224 cases of gastric carcinoma, and 1,704 control cases. It is emphasized that the solitary gastric ulcer in the aged differs in its pathogenesis from gastric ulcers which are associated with lesions in the pyloric antrum or in the duodenum. Apparently classical gastric ulcer in patients over 50 years of age is a complication of atherosclerosis. “Calcified” atheroma in the abdominal aorta is relatively rare in gastric carcinoma even in the high age groups. The role of calcium in the stability of chromosomes, and the possible clinical applications are discussed.
The Influence of Spokespersons in Altering a Product's Gender Image: Implications for Advertising Effectiveness

Abstract This study investigates the extent to which a spokesperson's gender can influence the gender image of products. In addition, the appropriateness and effectiveness of spokesperson/ product gender combinations are assessed relative to these gender image perceptions. Results indicate that a spokesperson's gender is an effective cue in altering the gender image of a masculine and feminine product but not of a neutral product. Respondents' attitudes and usage intention are more positive when the gender of the product and spokesperson differ (a progressive role portrayal) than when they match (a traditional role portrayal), thus providing added support for the effectiveness of strategies aimed at altering a product's gender image.