Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Recovered from the Environment of a Swine Farrow-to-Finish Operation in the United States

ABSTRACT Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) present an urgent threat to public health. While use of carbapenem antimicrobials is restricted for food-producing animals, other β-lactams, such as ceftiofur, are used in livestock. This use may provide selection pressure favoring the amplification of carbapenem resistance, but this relationship has not been established. Previously unreported among U.S. livestock, plasmid-mediated CRE have been reported from livestock in Europe and Asia. In this study, environmental and fecal samples were collected from a 1,500-sow, U.S. farrow-to-finish operation during 4 visits over a 5-month period in 2015. Samples were screened using selective media for the presence of CRE, and the resulting carbapenemase-producing isolates were further characterized. Of 30 environmental samples collected from a nursery room on our initial visit, 2 (7%) samples yielded 3 isolates, 2 sequence type 218 (ST 218) Escherichia coli and 1 Proteus mirabilis, carrying the metallo-β-lactamase gene blaIMP-27 on IncQ1 plasmids. We recovered on our third visit 15 IMP-27-bearing isolates of multiple Enterobacteriaceae species from 11 of 24 (46%) environmental samples from 2 farrowing rooms. These isolates each also carried blaIMP-27 on IncQ1 plasmids. No CRE isolates were recovered from fecal swabs or samples in this study. As is common in U.S. swine production, piglets on this farm receive ceftiofur at birth, with males receiving a second dose at castration (≈day 6). This selection pressure may favor the dissemination of blaIMP-27-bearing Enterobacteriaceae in this farrowing barn. The absence of this selection pressure in the nursery and finisher barns likely resulted in the loss of the ecological niche needed for maintenance of this carbapenem resistance gene.
International entrepreneurial capability as a driver of the born global firm – a case study from India

The emergence of MNEs from countries such as India characterised by unique institutional and resource environments as important players in the global economy has been a distinctive development in the global economy. In this context, this paper profiles the role of the international entrepreneurial capability as a key driver of born global firms from the Indian information technology sector. Using the case study method, this paper develops a set of theoretical constructs as initial explanations for the appearance of the born global firm.
Effects of glabridin combined with 5-fluorouracil on the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells

Gastric cancer most commonly occurs in East Asia, and China accounts for more than half the of world's gastric cancer burden. Despite the efficacy of chemotherapy for patients, this treatment leads to significant patient inconvenience, toxicity and cost. The present study aimed to assess a non-toxic agent, glabridin, as a future chemotherapeutic approach for treating gastric cancer. Using cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and colony formation assays, it was determined that glabridin alone, or in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), inhibited MKN-45 cell proliferation and invasion, and increased apoptosis. These effects were accompanied by downregulation of p16, E-cadherin and apoptosis regulator Bcl-2 protein, and upregulation of N-cadherin, apoptosis regulator BAX and caspases 3, 8 and 9. The results demonstrated that glabridin may inhibit the malignant proliferation of the human gastric cancer MKN-45 cell line and enhance the efficiency of 5-FU. The data indicate that the p16, and potentially the p16/cyclin-dependent kinase 4/cyclin D1 pathway, may be a novel target for gastric cancer therapy.
The relationship between governance and NPD performance and the mediating role of tie strength

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of governance modes (trust and unilateral control) on new product development (NPD) performance and the mediating role of tie strength.Design/methodology/approach – Survey research was conducted to collect data from 112 NPD relationships and structural equation modeling was conducted to test the hypotheses.Findings – The results suggest that the trust and tie strength are positively related, while unilateral control and tie strength are negatively related. On the other hand, tie strength is positively related to NPD performance. Results also show that the impact of trust and unilateral control on NPD performance are mediated by the tie strength.Originality/value – This study enhances the understanding of NPD relationships by examining the key modes of governance through which tie strength and NPD performance are influenced.
The influence of the business cycle on bankruptcy probability

I combine two fields of research on default prediction by empirically testing a bankruptcy prediction function where unlisted firms are evaluated on the basis of both their financial statement analysis and the macroeconomic environment. This combination is found to improve the default prediction compared to financial statements alone. The GDP-gap, a production index and the money supply M1 in combination with some financial health indicators for individual firms are found to be significant predictors on default for Norwegian firms during both a recovery and expansion in the 1990's.
Study of emotional intelligence and empathy in medical postgraduates

Objectives: The important domains of emotional intelligence (EI) are self-awareness and control of emotions, motivating oneself, and empathy. These are necessary to handle any relationship. This study aims to (i) assess emotional intelligence focusing specifically on empathy; (ii) to study the level of anger; and (iii) correlating level of anger with (a) EI and (b) empathy in medical postgraduates. Materials and Methods: Subjects were assessed randomly after obtaining informed consent, through semi-structured proforma and various scales, including Emotional Quotient Self-Assessment Checklist, Multi-Dimensional Emotional Empathy Scale, and Clinical Anger Scale. Data was analyzed using multivariate analysis with analysis of covariance test. Results: On Emotional Quotient Self-Assessment checklist, more than 70% had poor emotional intelligence. Married males in the study were more confident and empathizing. Those with some major problem at home were more aware of their own emotions and other's feelings. Residents who had voluntarily chosen their specialty postgraduation training course (eg, medicine, surgery, and others), those who had less work load, those who had time for recreational activities, and exercise had scored high on EI. Good control of emotions in self was associated with good relationship with superiors and colleagues. Score on Clinical anger was moderate to severe in 10.6% of the subjects. EI and clinical anger correlated negatively.
Transport and Distribution of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium in Loamy and Sandy Soil Monoliths with Applied Liquid Manure

ABSTRACT A leaching experiment, where liquid manure spiked with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (Tet+) DSM554 was applied to soil surfaces, was conducted on intact soil monoliths (60 cm in diameter and 100 cm long). A total of 6.5 × 1010 CFU was applied to each column. We found that Salmonella serovar Typhimurium could be transported to a 1-m depth in loamy soil at concentrations reaching 1.3 × 105 CFU/ml of leachate. The test strain was found in concentrations ranging from 300 to 1.35 cells/ml in loamy soil throughout the 27 days of the experiment, while concentrations below 20 cells/ml were sporadically detected in the leachates from sandy monoliths. Real-time PCR targeting invA DNA showed a clear correspondence between the total and culturable numbers of cells in the leachate, indicating that most cells leached were viable. On day 28, distribution of Salmonella serovar Typhimurium at five depths in the four monoliths was determined. The highest recovery rate, ranging from 1.5% to 3.8% of the total applied inoculum, was found in the top 0.2 m.
Outsourcing: From Cost Management to Innovation and Business Value

As the outsourcing market has matured over the past 20 years, clients and suppliers have begun to examine how these complex relationships can not only achieve cost savings, but also enable innovation in today's dynamic business environment. This article presents four case studies of large-scale information technology outsourcing relationships that take equal measure of the clients and suppliers. It develops a model of innovation within outsourcing relationships consisting of nine key enablers for achieving innovation. The article then links the key enablers to three levels of innovation that were identified within the case studies. The model provides insight into how executives within outsourcing relationships can move from a cost management focus to a focus on innovation and (ultimately) business value for the client and supplier.
Irinotecan plus gemcitabine induces both radiographic and CA 19-9 tumor marker responses in patients with previously untreated advanced pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE This phase II, multicenter, open-label, single-arm study evaluated the efficacy and safety of irinotecan and gemcitabine as combination chemotherapy for previously untreated patients with unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients received repeated 21-day cycles at starting doses of gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) over 30 minutes followed immediately by irinotecan 100 mg/m(2) over 90 minutes, both given intravenously on days 1 and 8. Patients were evaluated for objective tumor response, changes in the serum tumor marker CA 19-9, time to tumor progression (TTP), survival, and safety. RESULTS Forty-five patients were treated. Eleven patients (24%) had 50% or greater reductions in tumor area. These were confirmed one cycle later in nine patients (response rate, 20%; 95% confidence interval, 8% to 32%). Among 44 patients with baseline CA 19-9 determinations, CA 19-9 decreased during therapy in 22 patients (50%) and was reduced by 50% or more in 13 patients (30%). Median TTP was 2.8 months (range, 0.3 to 10.8 months). There were significant (P <.001) correlations between proportional changes in CA 19-9 and radiographic changes in tumor area with regard to extent of change (r =.67), timing of minimum on-study values (r =.85), and tumor progression (r =.89). Median survival was 5.7 months (range, 0.4 to 19.4+ months), and the 1-year survival rate was 27%. Severe toxicities were uncommon and primarily limited to grade 4 neutropenia (2%), grade 4 vomiting (2%), and grade 3 diarrhea (7%). CONCLUSION Irinotecan/gemcitabine is a new combination that offers encouraging activity in terms of radiographic and CA 19-9 response and notable 1-year survival in pancreatic cancer. The regimen was well tolerated, with minimal grade 3 and 4 toxicities and excellent maintenance of planned dose-intensity.
The political economy of property rights : institutional change and credibility in the reform of centrally planned economies

1. The political economy of property rights David L. Weimer 2. Credible commitment and property rights: the role of strategic interaction between political and economic actors Daniel Diermeier, Joel Ericson, Timothy Frye, and Steven Lewis 3. The political commitment to markets and marketization: comment on 'Credible commmitment and property rights' Barry R. Weingast 4. Political determinants of the success of economic transition Nikolai Mikhailov 5. Comment on 'Political determinants of the success of economic transition' Adam Przeworski 6. Russian privatization and the problem of credible commitment Timothy Frye 7. Three issues of credible commitment and Russian privatization John M. Litwack 8. Legislative politics and the political economy of property rights in post-Communist Russia Brendan Kiernan and Francis X. Bell 9. Commitment, coordination, and the demise of the post-Communist parliament in Russia Steven S. Smith 10. Private firms, city governments, and arbitration: enforcing economic legality in St. Petersburg Jole Meyer Ericson 11. Comment on 'Private firms, city governments, and arbitration: enforcing economic legality in St. Petersburg' Anthony Jones 12. Property rights and institutional change in the Czech and Slovac Republics Mariusz Mark Dobek 13. Comment on 'Property rights and institutional change in the Czech and Slovac Republics' Sharon Wolchik 14. Institutional structures, labor interests, and evolving privatization bargains in Poland Lorene Allio 15. Comment on 'Institutional structures, labor interests, and evolving privatization bargains in Poland' Bartlomeij Kaminski 16. Privatization as institutional change in Hungary Laszlo Urban 17. Comment on 'Privatization as institutional change in Hungary' Kalman Mizsei 18. Marketization and government credibility in Shanghai: federalist and local corporatist explanations Steven Lewis 19. Federalist and corporatist theories: a comment on an empirical test Victor Nee 20. Learning about the economy: property rights and the collapse of the East German industrial economy Hannes Wittig 21. Misinformation, insecure property rights, and the collapse of the East German economy Susanne Lohmann 22. Post-Communist privatization as a test of theories of institutional change Lorene Allio, Mariusz Mark Dobek, Nikolia Mikhailov, and David L. Weimer 23. Explaining the complexity of institutional change Jack Knight and Douglass C. North.
Internet financial reporting: Turkish companies adapt to change

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the sophistication of internet financial reporting (IFR) for Turkish listed firms and explore firm-specific drivers. Design/methodology/approach - The study surveys the web sites of all firms listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) during December 2009 using a well-established scoring system to measure IFR. Findings - It is found that size, auditor and corporate governance effects, as measured by a multivariate regression analysis framework, affect the sophistication of IFR. However, in extending the analysis by running separate regressions for small and large firms, these effects prevail only for large firms. Evidence also supports the industry effect for both small and large firms. Overall, large firms, audited by large international auditors, and included in the Corporate Governance Index of the ISE, are more likely to use sophisticated disclosure formats such as audio and video files, internal search engines and hyperlinks inside their annual reports. Originality/value - Using a unique data set, this paper provides a snapshot of how well Turkish companies adapt to change in IFR. Its novelty lies in its addressing the issue of IFR sophistication and the impact of firm-specific factors, such as profitability, growth prospects, firm size, ownership, corporate governance environment and industry effects, for the first time as they apply to Turkish firms.
Evaluating occupational outcomes and interventions in schools

EVALUATING OCCUPATIONAL OUTCOMES AND INTERVENTIONS IN SCHOOLS BY JULIA ANN MANZELLA AUGUST 2015 Committee Chair: Dr. Barry T. Hirsch Major Department: Economics This dissertation consists of three distinct yet inter-related research papers in labor economics, each with relevance for public policy. The first chapter examines the role of wage differentials for caring work in explaining the gender wage gap. We find that both women and men face caring penalties that are small, about 2% for one standard deviation difference in caring. While women disproportionately work in caring jobs, it is unlikely that policies governing wages in the care sector could achieve pay equity between men and women. The second chapter evaluates the impact of state legislation on bullying in schools. I employ a difference-in-differences approach exploiting variation across states in the timing and type of law adopted using nationally representative surveys at the student and school levels. While I find no impact of the laws on bullying in high schools, bullying occurs most often in middle school. And impacts might vary by school type and legislation type. I also discuss current challenges to evaluating bullying legislation and provide recommendations for facilitating a conclusive assessment of whether state bullying laws work. The third chapter uses a field experiment to evaluate an intervention aimed at increasing participation in an academic assistance program. Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a widely used, but poorly evaluated, peer-tutoring program with low participation rates. We randomize encouragements to attend SI across a large student population. The resulting boost in participation allows us to estimate the per-session average causal impact of SI on grades for a subpopulation under certain assumptions.
Capturing the Economic Model of the Entrepreneur: The Different Paths to Venture Profitability

Abstract An economic model provides a consistent logic for earning profits within a venture. In this research, a four-component framework is developed and tested for capturing the entrepreneur's economic model. The proposed framework argues for integrating these four elements in a logical and consistent manner. Certain combinations of these elements can lead to highly successful ventures while others should result in more marginal firms. To test the framework, a cross-sectional survey of independent retail establishments was undertaken. Using cluster analysis techniques, five dominant economic models were identified among these ventures. Evidence of performance differences, depending on the type of model, was produced. Theoretical and managerial implications are drawn.
The Swedish Model of Industrial Relations: Self-Regulation and Combined Centralisation-Decentralisation

The Swedish model of industrial relations is analyzed with respect to some closely related dimensions: collective agreements - legislation, cooperation - confrontation, self-regulation - state regulation and centralisation - decentralisation. Both the historical development and the present state of the model are discussed. In an analytical table the dimension self-regulation - state regulation is combined with the dimension centralisation - decentralisation. A distinction is made between self-regulation on the part of unions AND employers' associations (bipartite self-regulation) and on the other hand on the part of unions OR employers' associations (unilateral self-regulation). By that the four fields of the table are extended to six fields. The development in the last 10-15 years is described as a "new mix of self-regulation and state regulation and of centralisation and decentralisation".
Corporate ethical values in South Africa

This study analyzes the influence of a number of variables on the ethical decision making process of South African marketers. Specifically, it measures the relative influences of ethical perception, idealism, relativism, and corporate ethical values on the ethical intentions of the marketers. The target respondents were practitioner members of the South African Institute of Marketing Management. The survey results indicate that perception of an ethical problem and relativism are significant predictors of ethical intentions, as hypothesized. The other two predictor variables (idealism and corporate ethical values) were not significant. The results regarding idealism are generally consistent with those from previous studies, but corporate ethical values has usually been found to be significant, and not just in the United States. These nonsignificant findings are among the most intriguing of the study. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
New Technique to Excite Higher-Order Radiating Mode in a Cylindrical Dielectric Resonator Antenna

Higher-order HEM12δ mode has been experimentally realized in a cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna (CDRA) very recently revealing broadside radiation like the dominant HEM11δ mode. The primary challenge is the excitation of the mode in a practical DRA sitting on a metal ground plane, which was first resolved by introducing a floating feed as an equivalent current ribbon. In this letter, yet another technique has been explored using a conventional probe-fed CDRA placed on a metal plate. Only a new trough-shaped air cavity has been introduced in the ground plane just beneath the DRA to simulate a special boundary condition, which enunciates desired modal fields. Such a technique may be improvised for other potential applications. The proposed concept has been verified using both simulated and experimental results.
The Impact of Performance Information on Congressional Appropriations

This study examines the relationship between performance information and resource allocations in the context of the George W. Bush administration's performance budgeting metric: the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART). Results of regression analysis suggest that performance information reported through the PART system had a fragmented and incomplete effect on congressional appropriations. This was because (1) PART was a politicized tool applied more rigorously to cuts in programs supported by Democrats; (2) PART scores had little or no impact on earmarked programs; (3) PART's impact declined during a divided government; and (4) PART scores were used more often in budget decisions for small or medium-size programs than for larger programs.
Crowdfunding: Some Empirical Findings and Microeconomic Underpinnings

This article reviews some recent developments in the study of crowdfunding – i.e., the practice of raising funds through an open call on the Internet. It also shows how microeconomic theory can help us understand some important aspects of crowdfunding that go beyond the finance sphere of the firm. A special attention is devoted to the role and behavior of crowdfunding platforms, which intermediate between entrepreneurs and contributors. Throughout the article, the Belgian market for crowdfunding serves as the main source of illustrations.
Comparing households’ total economic values and recreation value of instream flow in an urban river

The empirical importance of non-use values relative to use values appears to vary by uniqueness of the natural environment being valued. At one extreme is the Grand Canyon, where non-use values are orders of magnitude higher than use values. For protecting water quality used for water-based recreation and drinking water, non-use values are still significant, but about half the magnitude of these two use values. In this paper we investigate the relative importance of non-use values for maintaining instream flows in an urban river in the City of Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. At the request of the City Council, a contingent valuation method (CVM) survey was conducted. A dichotomous choice CVM survey of households estimated that the Total Economic Values (TEV – sum of non-use and recreation) of city households is $234 per year. A second CVM question specifically about recreation use value of the same households yielded an estimated annual WTP of $90 per year. Thus, the TEV to maintain current instream flow is 38% recreation value and 62% non-use values, suggesting the importance of non-use values even for a non-unique, but locally significant urban river. Summing up the TEVs per household in the city yields an annual value of $171 per acre foot, several times larger than annual water lease rates in Northern Colorado. However, the present value of this TEV per acre foot is less than the price for purchasing water rights in order to maintain instream flows. Thus, unless the City of Fort Collins partners with downstream cities, who would also benefit from instream flows, annual leases are the most efficient option for maintaining instream flows.