Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Public Disclosure and the Structure of Private Information Markets

This study investigates the relationship between private information markets and the disclosure policies of publicly traded firms.1 The main point of the paper is that the structure of private information markets is crucial in determining investor demand for information disclosures. The value of public disclosure to traders is shown to vary dramatically with the structure of the private information market. It is also demonstrated that if firms are given the power to alter the structure of the private information market through selective private disclosures of information before any public release, traders may be made better off. These results are consistent with empirical observations regarding the public release of management earnings forecasts. It is observed that firms may privately inform securities analysts of earnings forecasts before public release (if any), apparently influencing the structure of the private information market. In the mid 1970s, the SEC, in response to this practice, attempted to mandate forecast disclosures. But this SEC action was strongly op-
Increased elevated plus maze open-arm time in mice during naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal

Opioid withdrawal is known to be anxiogenic in humans and, using the elevated plus maze (EPM), was demonstrated to also be anxiogenic in rats. Thus, this study characterizes EPM behaviors of mice during naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal. Naloxone did not significantly change EPM behaviors of drug-naïve mice. Additionally, morphine-dependent mice in which withdrawal was not precipitated (i.e. morphine-dependent mice receiving saline) spent less time in the open-arms compared to the controls. Surprisingly, increased open-arm time was observed in morphine-dependent mice undergoing naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. This increase was not because of total motor activity, as no significant differences in total activity were observed. Moreover, morphine dependency was necessary, given that there was not a significant increase in open-arm time for mice undergoing withdrawal from acute morphine. Increased open-arm time during withdrawal is unexpected, given that opioid withdrawal is usually associated with anxiety. Additionally, even in mice, naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal is known be aversive and increases plasma corticosterone levels. In conclusion, this study demonstrates somewhat unexpected EPM behavior in mice undergoing naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal. Possible interpretations of these EPM results, though somewhat speculative, raise the possibility that EPM behaviors might not be driven exclusively by anxiety levels but rather by other withdrawal-induced behaviors.
Political and Socio-Economic Aspects of Gender Equality and the Onset of Civil War

Recent empirical studies showed that societies with less gender discrimination are more peaceful. However, the relation ship could be spurious if gender equality captures aspects of good governance, democracy, or the level of development. Empirical results of a sample of 110 countries for the years 1985-2000 indicate that various aspects of gender equality do indeed promote peace even when holding other influences constant. The results of the present study support the notion that improving the situation for women with regard to more political representation but especially more economic participation and better access to health and education improves a society's domestic peace.
Does job insecurity cause missing births in a high fertility European country ? Evidence for France

This paper investigates whether unemployment and insecure employment periods merely delay fertility or also impact on completed fertility in France. It analyses both the timing of first and second childbearing and the fertility reached at age 40. Different indicators of declining job security are used, i.e. current individual employment characteristics, the accumulation of unstable jobs, and aggregate-level indicators of job uncertainty. The timing of first childbearing depends negatively on male unemployment, while facing insecure employment periods delays fertility for women. Completed fertility is impacted by unemployment spells only for men who have faced longterm unemployment.
What do targeting positive views on ageing add to a physical activity intervention in older adults? Results from a randomised controlled trial

Objective: Physical activity is a key factor for healthy ageing, yet many older people lead a sedentary lifestyle. Traditional physical activity interventions do not consider the specific needs and views of older adults. As views on ageing are known to be related to health behaviours, the current study evaluates the effectiveness of prompting positive views on ageing within a physical activity intervention. Design: Randomised controlled trial with three groups aged 65+: Intervention for physical activity with ‘views-on-ageing’-component (n = 101; IGVoA), and without ‘views-on-ageing’-component (n = 30; IG), and active control intervention for volunteering (n = 103; CG). Main outcome measures: Attitudes towards older adults and physical activity were assessed five weeks before intervention, two weeks, six weeks and 8.5 months after the intervention. Results: Compared to the IG and CG, positive attitudes towards older adults increased in the IGVoA after the intervention. For IGVoA, the indirect intervention effect on change in activity via change in attitudes towards older adults was reliable. Conclusion: A ‘views-on-ageing’-component within a physical activity intervention affects change in physical activity via change in views on ageing. Views on ageing are a promising intervention technique to be incorporated into future physical activity interventions for older adults.
Genetic diversity analysis and conservation of the Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza collected from different geographic origins in China

Salvia miltiorrhiza is an economically important floral herb. However, little work has been conducted to further our understanding of the genetics of this herb. In this study, a representative set of germplasm of S. miltiorrhiza populations was used to analyze genetic diversity using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) methodology. Twenty seven S. miltiorrhiza geographical populations from ten provinces in China were selected based on morphological diversity and geographic origin. A total of 528 unambiguous bands were identified by ten primer combinations of EcoRI +3 and MseI +3. Of those, 476 showed a clear polymorphism, representing 90% of the total bands. The samples showed different levels of similarity ranging between 0.504 and 0.789. The unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averaging (UPGMA) cluster analysis conducted on polymorphic AFLP markers revealed that all these S. miltiorrhiza populations could be clearly distinguished into eight distinct groups as well as an intermediate. The population genetic diversity of S. miltiorrhiza revealed here had clear implications for conservation, management and use of the S. miltiorrhiza germplasm.
Effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic liver diseases: a meta-analysis of cohort studies

Questions remain about the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially in patients with chronic liver diseases. We carried out a meta-analysis of cohort studies to explore these issues. We searched PubMed and EMBASE for studies on the association between type 2 DM and the risk of HCC through 30 September 2013. We included patients with chronic liver diseases. Summary relative risks with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. A total of 21 cohort studies with 24 reports were included in our analysis. After a median duration of follow-up of 6.4 years, a total of 2528 HCC cases were identified in 35 202 participants. The summary relative risk of HCC with type 2 DM was 1.86 (95% CI 1.49–2.31) for patients with chronic liver disease, 1.90 (95% CI 1.37–2.63) for patients with hepatitis C virus infection, 1.93 (95% CI 1.35–2.76) for patients with cirrhosis, and 1.69 (95% CI 0.97–2.92) for patients with hepatitis B virus infection. Subgroup analyses indicated that the positive associations were independent of geographic location, duration of follow-up, and confounding factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and body mass index (BMI). Hepatitis C virus-infected or cirrhotic patients with the concomitant presence of type 2 DM would have a higher risk of developing HCC than those without DM. Therefore, these patients require more active monitoring of the development of HCC.
Flux measurements of ammonia to estimate emission factors for area sources.

1 Executive Summary . 2 1.0 Introduction . 6 1.1 Objectives. 8 1.2 Fabric Denuders . 8 2.0 Materials and Methods . 11 2.1 Ammonia Removal by Fabric Denuders . 11 2.2 Procedures for Ammonia Analysis from Fabric Denuders . 12 2.2.1 Reagent Preparation . 12 2.2.2 Standards . 12 2.2.3 Sample Analysis . 13 2.3 Passive Diffusion Denuder Construction . 13 2.4 Passive Denuder Flow Testing. 14 2.5 Site Selection. 15 2.5. 1 Citrus Grove . 15 2.5. 2 Dairy Farm . 16 2.5. 3 Dairy Lagoon. 18 2.5. 4 Pig Farm . 18 2.5. 5 Fertilized Field . 19 2.6 Collaboration with California State University, Fresno. 21 2.7 Meteorological Data . 21 2.8 Active Sampling. 23 2.9 Sample Identification . 25 3.0 Results . 27 3.1 Citrus Grove . 28 3.2 Dairy Farm . 31 3.3 Dairy Lagoon. 37 3.4 Pig Farm . 46 3.5 Fertilized Field . 51 4.0 Discussion . 61 4.1 Comparison of Collocated Passive Denuder Samples . 61 4.2 Denuder Efficiency . 61 4.3 Comparison Between Active and Passive Samplers . 62 4.4 Emission Factors . 65 5.0 Summary and Conclusions. 67 6.0 Recommendations . 69 7.0 References . 70
Molecular Alterations and Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer

The promise of precision medicine is now a clinical reality. Advances in our understanding of the molecular genetics of colorectal cancer (CRC) are leading to the development of a variety of biomarkers that are being used as early detection markers, prognostic markers, and markers for predicting treatment responses. This is no more evident than in the recent advances in testing CRCs for specific molecular alterations in order to guide treatment with the monoclonal antibody therapies cetuximab and panitumumab, which target the epidermal growth factor receptor. In this review, we update a prior review published in 2010 and describe our current understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of CRC and how these alterations relate to emerging biomarkers for early detection and risk stratification (diagnostic markers), prognosis (prognostic markers), and the prediction of treatment responses (predictive markers).
Current endoscopic techniques in the treatment of obesity.

BACKGROUND in recent years new endoscopic strategies and techniques for the treatment of obesity have emerged and developed. AIM OF THE STUDY in this article we will review and analyze the current state of the following techniques and the basic differential characteristics between each of them: balloons and prosthesis, injection of substances, systems of sutures, malabsorptives techniques and others currently in research. METHODS we will evaluate the endoscopic technique and their main indications, results, tolerances, complications and adverse effects observed, reporting our personal experience and in relation with an extensive literature review. RESULTS comparatively with the most widespread technique of the Bioenterics balloon, the Spatz balloon can provide greater weight loss but with worse tolerance and more complications and the Heliosphere Bag gets a similar weight loss but with greater technical difficulty. Other balloons and prosthesis (Ullorex, Semistationary, Silimed, Endogast) still require technical improvements and higher studies. The injection of botulinum toxin, although secure, seems to offer a smaller and more transient efficacy. Suture systems (TOGa, endoluminal vertical gastroplasty and POSE) appear to be effective but are technically more laborious. Malabsorptives procedures (Endobarrier, ValenTX) are somewhat laborious but effective, particularly indicated in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS the development of new endoscopic techniques and improvement in existing designs, suggest an increasingly important role of the endoscopist in the treatment of obesity. We consider it important to individually select and use the endoscopic technique, depending on the desirable outcomes (efficacy, tolerance, safety, adverse effects and risks) and the experience of each hospital. We believe that these techniques should be applied by specifically trained endoscopists in specialized hospitals.
Onychin inhibits proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells by regulating cell cycle

AbstractAim:To investigate the effects of onychin on the proliferation of cultured rat artery vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the presence of 10% new-born calf serum (NCS). Methods:Rat VSMCs were incubated with onychin 1–50 μmol/L or genistein 10 μmol/L in the presence of 10% NCS for 24 h. The proliferation of VSMCs was measured by cell counting and MTS/PMS colorimetric assays. Cell cycle progression was evaluated by flow cytometry. Retinoblastoma (Rb) phosphorylation, and expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E were measured by Western blot assays. The tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was examined by immunoprecipitation techniques using anti-phospho-tyrosine antibodies.Results:The proliferation of VSMCs was accelerated significantly in the presence of 10% NCS. Onychin reduced the metabolic rate of MTS and the cell number of VSMCs in the presence of 10% NCS in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the G1-phase fraction ratio in the onychin group was higher than that in the 10% NCS group (85.2% vs 70.0%, P < 0.01), while the S-phase fraction ratio in the onychin group was lower than that in 10% NCS group (4.3% vs 16.4%, P < 0.01). Western blot analysis showed that onychin inhibited Rb phosphorylation and reduced the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E. The effects of onychin on proliferation, the cell cycle and the expression of cyclins in VSMCs were similar to those of genistein, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase. Furthermore immunoprecipitation studies showed that both onychin and genistein markedly inhibited the tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK1/2 induced by 10% NCS.Conclusion:Onychin inhibits the proliferation of VSMCs through G1 phase cell cycle arrest by decreasing the tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E, and sequentially inhibiting Rb phosphorylation.
Auditory receptor of the red‐eared turtle: II. Afferent and efferent synapses and innervation patterns

Innervation patterns in the auditory receptor of the red‐eared turtle were reconstructed from serial ultrathin sections. Four locations were studied, including three on the basilar membrane and one on the basal limbus. In that area of the papilla located above the apical end of the basilar membrane most cells were innervated by single afferent fibers which, in turn, supplied as many as three cells. Although afferents in the midmembrane area of the papilla supplied fewer cells, the innervation pattern was similar in other respects to that in the apical area including an abundance of efferent synapses on afferents. In contrast, hair cells in the basal membrane area were contacted by two afferent fibers and had five times as many afferent synapses as observed previously. Here, each afferent made twice as many synapses as fibers in the previous two areas and supplied one or two hair cells but received no efferent synapses. In the basal limbus area, each hair cell was contacted by as many as eight afferents and each afferent supplied as many as seven hair cells. The significance of these innervation patterns is discussed in the light of structural information obtained from other vertebrate auditory receptors and in the light of available functional information derived from the turtle papilla.
Mechanisms Underlying Reduced Apoptosis in Neonatal Neutrophils

Apoptosis, which leads to phagocytosis by mononuclear cells, represents the primary mechanism for removing neutrophils from inflamed tissues and minimizing injury. The present studies show that membrane phosphatidylserine turnover and permeability, as well as DNA fragmentation, were reduced in neutrophils from neonates when compared with adults. The activity of caspase 3 and expression of the proapoptotic proteins Bax, Bad, and Bak were also decreased in neonatal relative to adult neutrophils. These findings are consistent with impaired apoptosis in neonatal cells, which may contribute to prolonged inflammation in infants after oxidative stress or infection. Neutrophil apoptosis is induced by endogenous ligands such as Fas (FasL), which engage death receptors of the tumor necrosis factor/nerve growth factor superfamily, including Fas receptor (FasR). We found that expression of FasR was decreased in neonatal when compared with adult cells. Moreover, neonatal neutrophils did not undergo apoptosis in response to anti-FasR antibody and exhibited impaired chemotaxis to soluble FasL. However, in both adult and neonatal cells, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors blocked Fas-induced activity. These data suggest that prolonged survival of neonatal neutrophils at injured sites is due, in part, to reduced responsiveness to FasL. This may be related to decreased expression of both FasR and Bcl-2–family proteins that mediate neutrophil apoptosis.
Job Satisfaction and Turnover among IT Professionals: A Cognitive Dissonance Approach

Organizations are increasingly recognizing their workers as valuable resources. Therefore, workforce planning and policies that minimize the voluntary turnover of IT professionals are important. Using cognitive dissonance theory as a theoretical foundation, we propose and test research hypotheses that combine traditional voluntary turnover constructs with constructs of interest to the IT profession. Data are collected from a sample of 179 IT workers in one agency within a large multi-agency governmental organization. These initial results indicate skill-set obsolescence and fairness of rewards are direct antecedents of job satisfaction. Organizational commitment, job alternatives, and perceived workload directly impact turnover intention, but job satisfaction impacts turnover intention only when mediated by organizational commitment.
Going the Distance: The Impact of Distance to Market on Smallholders Crop and Technology Choices

Smallholder farmers in Honduras and the Trifinio region of Central America contend with poor roads and high transportation costs when making production decisions. Farmers select crop activities based on cost, revenue and profit but are constrained by labor requirements, cash requirements, food security concerns, and input and output market access. Market access is directly related to distance to market. Distance to market increases the cost of inputs, increases transportation costs, and reduces the effective price farmers receive for outputs. We conduct two analyses to study the impact of distance to market on crop and technology choices. We utilize a household survey to analyze the determinants of fruit and vegetable production and market participation. Probit and multinomial logit models are employed to analyze the impact of distance to market and other variables on fruit and vegetable production. Results indicate that as distance to market increases, the probability of fruit and vegetable production for consumption increases and the probability of fruit and vegetable production for sale at market decreases. In a second paper, we utilize data from extension agencies, research institutions, a household survey, and expert opinions to model a representative Honduran farm. With linear programming, we analyze the crop and technology mix selected by the farm given changes in distance to the output market, changes in distance to the input market, food security concerns, and labor market participation. We focus specifically on integrated pest management (IPM) technologies. Results indicate that beyond a specific distance, vegetable production ceases, while staple crop production remains profitable. Additionally, a combination of low, medium, and high-technology crop activities is selected by a profit-maximizing farm. Even far away from the market, medium and high-technology crop activities are selected. Overall, these two studies indicate that distance to market is negatively related to fruit and vegetable production. A reduction in transportation costs and an increase in the prevalence of less input-intensive integrated pest management techniques may increase the incidence of fruit and vegetable production and market participation in Trifinio and Honduras.
Imprinting, expression, and localisation of DLK1 in Wilms tumours

Background: Loss of imprinting (LOI) of the H19/IGF2 domain is a common feature of Wilms tumour. The GTL2/DLK1 domain is also imprinted and is structurally similar to H19/IGF2. The question arises as to whether DLK1 also undergoes LOI in Wilms tumour, or whether the LOI mechanism is restricted to the H19/IGF2 domain. Aim: To investigate the imprinting status of DLK1 in Wilms tumours with IGF2 LOI. The cellular localisation of DLK1 in the tumours was also examined. Methods: DLK1 expression was measured by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) in 30 Wilms tumours that had previously been classified according to whether they had IGF2 LOI, WT1 mutations, or 11p15.5 loss of heterozygosity. Allele specific expression of DLK1 was examined by direct sequencing using a DLK1 exon 5 polymorphism (rs1802710). Immunohistochemical analysis of DLK1 was performed on 13 tumours and two intralobar nephrogenic rests, in addition to two fetal kidneys and one fetal skeletal muscle sample. Results: Ten of 30 tumours were heterozygous for rs1802710 and all tumours showed retention of imprinting of DLK1. Moderate to high expression of DLK1 was detected by Q-PCR in nine of 13 tumours with myogenic differentiation. Immunohistochemical expression of DLK1 was detected in the myogenic elements. Conclusion: LOI does not occur at the GTL2/DLK1 domain in Wilms tumour. This finding suggests that LOI at 11p15.5 does not reflect non-specific disruption of a shared imprinting mechanism. DLK1 expression in Wilms tumour might reflect the presence of myogenic differentiation, rather than an alteration of its imprinting status.
Typing of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kloeckera apiculata strains from Aglianico wine

Aims: Kloeckera apiculata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast species are dominant, respectively, at the early and at the following stages of wine fermentation. In the present study, PCR fingerprinting and NTS region amplification and restriction were applied as techniques for monitoring yeast population performing Aglianico of Vulture grape must fermentation.