Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Efficiency of Agricultural Cooperatives and Conventional Firms in a Sample of Quasi‐Twin Companies

We investigate the comparative technical efficiency of producer cooperatives (PCs) and conventional firms (CFs) by looking at the performance of a mixed sample of Sardinian wine producing companies over the period 2004-2009. Thanks to the similarity of the habitats in which the firms operate, the peculiarities of the production environment, and the careful measurement of some key inputs through suitable aggregation of accounting data, the observed units are "twins" in all non- organizational respects, providing one natural setting for comparative work. The analysis is carried out in two steps - in the first, technical efficiency indicators for each firm in each year are calculated using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with reference to a common production frontier. Subsequently, the measured efficiency scores become the dependent variables of a pooled truncated maximum likelihood regression in which we control for external covariates and firm type. To assess the procedure's appropriateness, we test whether the separability condition that the support of the output variables does not depend on the set of external variables is satisfied. Moreover, a double bootstrap algorithm is run to compute valid standard errors and confidence intervals of the coefficients estimates. According to our findings cooperatives are less technically efficient than their capitalist counterparts and displays decreasing returns to scale. Both results are particularly worrying in light of the main challenges (liberalization of EU planting rights and climate changes) facing the wine industry in the near future.
Utilization of dental health services by Danish adolescents attending private or public dental health care systems

The objectives of the study were: 1) to describe the choice of dental care system among 16-year-olds, 2) to describe the utilization of dental services among 16-17-year-olds enrolled in either public or private dental care systems, and to compare the dental services provided by the alternative systems. The study comprised 1,245 adolescents from 3 municipalities; the historical cohort study design was applied; and data were collected from dental records (public dental service) and dental claims (private practice). At age 16, 12% preferred being enrolled in the private practice system, while 88% remained in the public dental care system. During the 2-year study period the attendance rate was 99% for the public system, while 90% attended the private practice system (P < 0.001). Preventive dental services were provided more frequently by the public than the private system (P < 0.001). Despite the fact that the economic barrier was eliminated a lower attendance rate was observed for patients transferred to the private practice system.
Hours Worked in Europe and the United States: New Data, New Answers

We use national labor force surveys from 1983 to 2015 to construct hours worked per person on the aggregate level and for different demographic groups for 18 European countries and the United States. We apply a harmonization procedure to measure hours worked consistently across countries and over time. In the recent cross&#8208;section, Europeans work 14 percent fewer hours than US Americans. Differences in weeks worked and in the educational composition each account for one quarter to one half of this gap. In addition, lower hours worked per person than in the United States are driven by lower weekly hours worked in Scandinavia and Western Europe, but by lower employment rates in Eastern and Southern Europe.
Astragalus Granule Prevents Ca2+ Current Remodeling in Heart Failure by the Downregulation of CaMKII

Background Astragalus was broadly used for treating heart failure (HF) and arrhythmias in East Asia for thousands of years. Astragalus granule (AG), extracted from Astragalus, shows beneficial effect on the treatment of HF in clinical research. We hypothesized that administration of AG prevents the remodeling of L-type Ca2+ current (ICa-L) in HF mice by the downregulation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Methods HF mice were induced by thoracic aortic constriction (TAC). After 4 weeks of AG treatment, cardiac function and QT interval were evaluated. Single cardiac ventricular myocyte was then isolated and whole-cell patch clamp was used to record action potential (AP) and ICa-L. The expressions of L-type calcium channel alpha 1C subunit (Cav1.2), CaMKII, and phosphorylated protein kinase A (p-PKA) were examined by western blot. Results The failing heart manifested distinct electrical remodeling including prolonged repolarization time and altered ICa-L kinetics. AG treatment attenuated this electrical remodeling, supported by AG-related shortened repolarization time, decreased peak ICa-L, accelerated ICa-L inactivation, and positive frequency-dependent ICa-L facilitation. In addition, AG treatment suppressed the overexpression of CaMKII, but not p-PKA, in the failing heart. Conclusion AG treatment protected the failing heart against electrical remodeling and ICa-L remodeling by downregulating CaMKII.
The Fibrinogen- and Fibronectin-Binding Domains of Staphylococcus aureus Fibronectin-Binding Protein A Synergistically Promote Endothelial Invasion and Experimental Endocarditis

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus experimental endocarditis relies on sequential fibrinogen binding (for valve colonization) and fibronectin binding (for endothelial invasion) conferred by peptidoglycan-attached adhesins. Fibronectin-binding protein A (FnBPA) reconciles these two properties—as well as elastin binding—and promotes experimental endocarditis by itself. Here we attempted to delineate the minimal subdomain of FnBPA responsible for fibrinogen and fibronectin binding, cell invasion, and in vivo endocarditis. A large library of truncated constructs of FnBPA was expressed in Lactococcus lactis and tested in vitro and in animals. A 127-amino-acid subdomain spanning the hinge of the FnBPA fibrinogen-binding and fibronectin-binding regions appeared necessary and sufficient to confer the sum of these properties. Competition with synthetic peptides could not delineate specific fibrinogen- and fibronectin-binding sites, suggesting that dual binding arose from protein folding, irrespective of clearly defined binding domains. Moreover, coexpressing the 127-amino-acid subdomain with remote domains of FnBPA further increased fibrinogen binding by ≥10 times, confirming the importance of domain interactions for binding efficacy. In animals, fibrinogen binding (but not fibronectin binding) was significantly associated with endocarditis induction, whereas both fibrinogen binding and fibronectin binding were associated with disease severity. Moreover, fibrinogen binding also combined with fibronectin binding to synergize the invasion of cultured cell lines significantly, a feature correlating with endocarditis severity. Thus, while fibrinogen binding and fibronectin binding were believed to act sequentially in colonization and invasion, they appeared unexpectedly intertwined in terms of both functional anatomy and pathogenicity (in endocarditis). This unforeseen FnBPA subtlety might bear importance for the development of antiadhesin strategies.
L'alimentation hors du domicile des écoliers de Cotonou (Bénin)

La croissance demographique urbaine s'accompagne d'un developpement de la consommation alimentaire hors du domicile. La demande d'aliments achetes dans la rue emane en particulier des enfants. Une enquete par entretien individuel a ete realisee a Cotonou aupres de 240 enfants âges de 8 a 13 ans frequentant l'ecole primaire. Plus de 90 % des enfants disposent regulierement d'argent de poche qu'ils utilisent essentiellement pour acheter des aliments a des vendeuses installees dans ou proche de l'ecole. Moins de 20 % prennent un petit dejeuner a domicile. Les achats, pour une valeur moyenne quotidienne de 38 FCFA, sont effectues preferentiellement avant la fin de la recreation du matin. Ils concement une grande variete d'aliments, essentiellement des plats comprenant une base cerealiere. L'achat d'aliment apparait entrer dans la strategie alimentaire des familles en limitant en particulier la contrainte de preparation du petit dejeuner. La combinaison de cette demande et de l'offre dans les ecoles est un support potentiel important d'interventions visant a ameliorer a court et long terme la qualite de l'alimentation des enfants. (Resume d'auteur)
The prognostic value of pretherapeutic tetranectin and CA-125 in patients with relapse of ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to examine the prognostic values of, respectively, tetranectin (TN) and CA-125 measured in serum from patients presenting with relapse of ovarian cancer (OC). METHODS TN and CA-125 were measured in serum samples from 75 patients with relapse of OC before the start of second-line chemotherapy. The endpoint used was death of OC. The variables were analyzed by univariate life table analysis and multivariate Cox analysis. RESULTS A significantly shortened survival was found for patients with low serum TN values compared to patients with serum TN levels above one of the cutoff levels. The survivals are illustrated by life tables. No prognostic function was found for CA-125. TN and relapse </=12 months after primary treatment were the only significant independent prognostic variables among the following variables tested in the Cox analyses: primary and second-line treatment, CA-125, age, histology, performance score, tumor localization, and size. CONCLUSION Serum TN determination may be valuable in the selection of patients with relapse of OC for new treatment strategies in future studies.
Association of polymorphisms in interleukin (IL)‐12A and ‐B genes with rheumatoid arthritis in a Chinese population

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by synovial infiltrates and progressive cell‐mediated destruction of the joints, which results in significant disability and early mortality. Genetic factors may play an important role in the development of RA. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of common polymorphisms in interleukin (IL)‐12A and IL‐12B genes with RA in a Chinese Han population. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL‐12 genes were genotyped in 412 patients with RA and 279 control subjects using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP). Our data showed that IL‐12B gene SNPs rs3212227 and rs6887695 were observed as a risk factor of RA. The minor allele (C) frequency of IL‐12B gene rs3212227 and rs6887695 increased the risk of RA. Individuals carrying the rs3212227/rs6887695 C/C haplotype were associated with a significantly increased risk of RA. RA patients with the C allele of IL‐12B gene rs6887695 was a protective factor to erosive arthropathy. Carriers of the C allele of IL‐12B gene rs3212227 were significantly more likely to be RF‐positive. No significant association was observed between rs2243115 in IL‐12A and RA, due probably to the limited power. These results suggest that common variants in IL‐12B may contribute to the development of RA in the Chinese population.
Estimating the Basis Risk of Rainfall Index Insurance for Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage

Using historical yield and rainfall data from three university-managed ranches in Kansas and Nebraska, we measure basis risk of Rainfall Index Insurance for Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF-RI). We investigate the relationship between forage yield and monthly precipitation and estimate the relationship between forage yield and PRF-RI indices. Finally, we estimate basis risk of PRF-RI. Our estimates suggest that using actual site-level precipitation values would reduce basis risk by only 5%–9%, indicating that basis risk stems mostly from nonprecipitation factors. Using more flexible contract forms with site-level precipitation would have little impact on decreasing the degree of basis risk.
Promoting Polyarchy and Professionalism in Officer Character and Leadership Development

The U.S. Air Force’s first seventy years have witnessed frame-breaking advancements in the equipment, tools, and technologies employed for mission accomplishment, but those same seventy years have also been accompanied by a substantial accretion of organizational formalization, resulting in delayed decision-making and increased bureaucratic inertia. The complex and rapidly changing social, political, and technological environments of the next seventy years and beyond will require Air Force leaders who can initiate and nurture individual and collective dynamic capabilities to sense and seize opportunities quickly and proficiently. Developing these capabilities will require less emphasis on rules-based scripts, hierarchical referral, and unitary decision-making processes (bureaucratic processes), and more emphasis on differentiated decision-making through polyarchy and integration via the social proof of military professionalism.
Vitamin D regulates the tight-junction protein expression in active ulcerative colitis

Abstract Objective: Epithelial barrier function is primarily regulated by the tight-junction proteins. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by Th2 immune response with inflammation and epithelial barrier dysfunction, including an elevation of claudin-2 protein function. Recent studies support an important role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis as well as potential therapy of IBD. Vitamin D deficiency is in fact common in patients with IBD. The aim of the study was to determine whether vitamin D could affect IL-13 and IL-6 levels, and regulate the activity of tight-junction proteins. Claudin-1, -2, -4, and -7 in the inflamed and non-inflamed colonic mucosa of UC patients. Material and methods: Biopsies from inflamed and non-inflamed tract of colon and rectum from the same active UC patients were cultured with1,25(OH)2D3. IL-13, IL-6 and the tight-junction proteins level were determined. Results: Claudin-1 and claudin-2 proteins were up-regulated in active UC. The treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 decreases the claudin-1 and claudin-2 protein levels in both inflamed and non-inflamed tract. Claudin-4 and claudin-7 proteins were down-regulated and their levels increase after incubation with the 1,25(OH)2D3. When the biopsies were incubated with 1,25(OH)2D3, a decrease in IL-13 and IL-6 levels was registered. Conclusions: Our results, indicating the inhibition of cytokine levels and the regulation of claudin-2, claudin-4, and claudin-7 by 1,25(OH)2D3, suggest that vitamin D may represent a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of active UC.
Is AV Fistula Patency Associated with Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Polymorphism and ACE Inhibitor Intake?

Background/Aims: Hemodialysis treatment requires a well-functioning vascular access. Access patency is limited by the development of venous intimal hyperplasia, which predisposes to fistula stenosis and subsequent thrombosis. In animal models, the renin-angiotensin system has a major role in the development of intimal hyperplasia. We investigated the association of the insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and arteriovenous fistula patency in hemodialysis patients. Methods: In a longitudinal study, 137 hemodialysis patients who had undergone creation of a primary AV fistula were genotyped. The main study endpoint was unassisted access patency (time from fistula placement to the first episode of access failure). In addition, the intake of drugs blocking the renin-angiotensin system was assessed. Results: Fistula patency 12 months after fistula creation was 72% (DD patients), 65% (ID patients), and 73% (II patients; p = 0.40). Long-term intake of ACE inhibitors or AT-1 antagonists failed to increase fistula patency (p = 0.33). Conclusions: We suggest that pharmacological inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system is of limited value for prevention of arteriovenous fistula stenosis. Alternative strategies to prolong fistula patency should be studied.
A multiple repeated sprint ability test with four changes of direction for badminton players (part 2): predicting skill level with anthropometry, strength, shuttlecock and displacement velocity.

The goal of this study was: (i) to assess general and specific lower and upper limb force, shuttlecock velocity, displacement ability and the anthropometric characteristics of badminton players at five skill levels, and (ii) to predict individual players' number of points. We divided 83 participants into groups of novice (n=15), intermediate (n=16), skilled (n=23), highly skilled (n=14) and elite (n=15) players. The number of points scored for each player performing tournaments (excluding novices) during the entire season was used as a continuous and dependent variable after logarithmic transformation for correlational study. Anthropometric measurements of height, mass, percentage of fat and muscle were recorded, along with shuttlecock maximal velocity during smashes. Upper limb power and lower limb force were recorded during jumps and handgrip strength. We also assessed players' ability to move quickly around the court through an on-court multiple repetition sprint ability in badminton (MRSAB) test with four changes of direction. All variables were combined in a multiple regression model. The main findings were that the major contributor to skill level is shuttlecock velocity (r=0.86), the time taken to move during the MRSAB test (r=0.85) and the squat jump height (r=0.53). Anthropometric factors contribute only a little to the individual score point (2%). Finally, the multiple regression model reveals that log(number of points)= 4.91 + 0.042 x Shuttle velocity - 0.029 x MRSABTime - 0.001 x Squat Jump height, with r=0.86 and a relative respective contribution of each variable of 86%, 13% and 1%.
Diversity, distribution and roles of osmoprotective compounds accumulated in halophytes under abiotic stress.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Osmolytes are low-molecular-weight organic solutes, a broad group that encompasses a variety of compounds such as amino acids, tertiary sulphonium and quaternary ammonium compounds, sugars and polyhydric alcohols. Osmolytes are accumulated in the cytoplasm of halophytic species in order to balance the osmotic potential of the Na(+) and Cl(-) accumulated in the vacuole. The advantages of the accumulation of osmolytes are that they keep the main physiological functions of the cell active, the induction of their biosynthesis is controlled by environmental cues, and they can be synthesized at all developmental stages. In addition to their role in osmoregulation, osmolytes have crucial functions in protecting subcellular structures and in scavenging reactive oxygen species. SCOPE This review discusses the diversity of osmolytes among halophytes and their distribution within taxonomic groups, the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence their accumulation, and their role in osmoregulation and osmoprotection. Increasing the osmolyte content in plants is an interesting strategy to improve the growth and yield of crops upon exposure to salinity. Examples of transgenic plants as well as exogenous applications of some osmolytes are also discussed. Finally, the potential use of osmolytes in protein stabilization and solvation in biotechnology, including the pharmaceutical industry and medicine, are considered.
Spatial and temporal response properties of lagged and nonlagged cells in cat lateral geniculate nucleus.

1. It has recently been shown that the X- and Y-cell classes in the A-layers of the cat lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) are divisible into lagged and nonlagged types. We have characterized the visual response properties of 153 cells in the A-layers to 1) reveal response features that are relevant to the X/Y and lagged/nonlagged classification schemes, and 2) provide a systematic description of the properties of lagged and nonlagged cells as a basis for understanding mechanisms that affect these two groups. Responses to flashing spots and drifting gratings were measured as the contrast and spatial and temporal modulation were varied. 2. X- and Y-cells were readily distinguished by their spatial tuning. Y-cells had much lower preferred spatial frequencies and spatial resolution than X-cells. Within each functional class (X or Y), however, lagged and nonlagged cells were similar in their spatial response properties. Thus the lagged/nonlagged distinction is not one related to the spatial domain. 3. In the temporal domain X- and Y-cells showed little difference in temporal tuning, whereas lagged and nonlagged cells showed distinctive response properties. The temporal tuning functions of lagged cells were slightly shifted toward lower frequencies with optimal temporal frequencies of lagged X-cells averaging an octave lower than those of nonlagged X-cells. Temporal resolution was much lower in lagged X- and Y-cells than in their nonlagged counterparts. 4. The most dramatic differences between lagged and nonlagged cells appeared in the timing of their responses, as measured by the phase of the response relative to the sinusoidal luminance modulation of a spot centered in the receptive field. Response phase varied approximately linearly with temporal frequency. The slope of the phase versus frequency line is a measure of total integration time, which we refer to as visual latency. Lagged cells has much longer latencies than nonlagged cells. 5. The intercept of the phase versus frequency line is a measure of when in the stimulus cycle the cell responds: we refer to this as the intrinsic or absolute phase of the cell. This measure of response timing not only distinguished lagged and nonlagged cells well but also covaried with the sustained or transient nature of cells' responses to flashed stimuli. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Polarized Light Microscopy, Variability in Spider Silk Diameters, and the Mechanical Characterization of Spider Silk

Spider silks possess a remarkable combination of high tensile strength and extensibility that makes them among the toughest materials known. Despite the potential exploitation of these properties in biotechnology, very few silks have ever been characterized mechanically. This is due in part to the difficulty of measuring the thin diameters of silk fibers. The largest silk fibers are only 5–10 μm in diameter and some can be as fine as 50 nm in diameter. Such narrow diameters, coupled with the refraction of light due to the anisotropic nature of crystalline regions within silk fibers, make it difficult to determine the size of silk fibers. Here, we report upon a technique that uses polarized light microscopy (PLM) to accurately and precisely characterize the diameters of spider silk fibers. We found that polarized light microscopy is as precise as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) across repeated measurements of individual samples of silk and resulted in mean diameters that were ∼0.10 μm larger than those from SEM. Furthermore, we demonstrate that thread diameters within webs of individual spiders can vary by as much as 600%. Therefore, the ability of PLM to non-invasively characterize the diameters of each individual silk fiber used in mechanical tests can provide a crucial control for natural variation in silk diameters, both within webs and among spiders.