Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Governance Capabilities and the Property Rights Transition in Developing Countries

To sustain growth property rights have to address three problems: i) how to create security for investors so that they have extended time horizons, ii) how to make asset transfers efficient; and iii) how to create incentives and compulsions for productivity growth. There are likely to be conflicts between different goals. As countries grow, rights that were appropriate in the past may require significant changes. Strengthening existing property rights may often be the wrong response. Growth may require changes in existing rights as well as the creation of new ones.
Convergence and blow-up of solutions for a complex-valued heat equation with a quadratic nonlinearity

This paper is concerned with the Cauchy problem for a system of parabolic equations which is derived from a complex-valued equation with a quadratic nonlinearity. First we show that if the convex hull of the image of initial data does not intersect the positive real axis, then the solution exists globally in time and converges to the trivial steady state. Next, on the onedimensional space, we provide some solutions with nontrivial imaginary parts that blow up simultaneously. Finally, we consider the case of asymptotically constant initial data and show that, depending on the limit, the solution blows up nonsimultaneously at space infinity or exists globally in time and converges to the trivial steady state.
Beneficial effects of melatonin on bovine oocytes maturation: a mechanistic approach

This study was performed to investigate the effect of melatonin on bovine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development in vitro. The endogenous melatonin concentration in bovine follicular fluid is approximately 10−11 m. To examine the potential beneficial effects of melatonin on bovine oocyte maturation in vitro, germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes were incubated with different concentrations of melatonin (10−11, 10−9, 10−7, 10−5, 10−3 m). Melatonin supplementation at suitable concentrations significantly promoted oocyte maturation. The development of embryos and the mean cell number/blastocyst produced after in vitro fertilization were remarkably improved. The most effective melatonin concentrations obtained from the studies ranged from 10−9 to 10−7 m. The expression of melatonin receptor MT1 and MT2 genes was identified in cumulus cells, granulosa cells, and oocytes using reverse transcription PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blot. The mechanistic studies show that the beneficial effects of melatonin on bovine oocyte maturation are mediated via melatonin membrane receptors as the melatonin receptor agonist (IIK7) promotes this effect while the melatonin receptor antagonist (luzindole) blocks this action. Mechanistic explorations revealed that melatonin supplementation during bovine oocyte maturation significantly up‐regulated the expressions of oocyte maturation‐associated genes (GDF9, MARF1, and DNMT1a) and cumulus cells expansion‐related gene (PTX3, HAS1/2) and that LHR1/2, EGFR are involved in signal transduction and epigenetic reprogramming. The results obtained from the studies provide new information regarding the mechanisms by which melatonin promotes bovine oocyte maturation in vitro and provide an important reference for in vitro embryo production of bovine and the human‐assisted reproductive technology.
Tumor-Derived TGF-β Reduces the Efficacy of Dendritic Cell/Tumor Fusion Vaccine1

Dendritic cell (DC)-based antitumor vaccine is a novel cancer immunotherapy that is promising for reducing cancer-related mortality. However, results from early clinical trials were suboptimal. A possible explanation is that many tumors secrete immunosuppressive factors such as TGF-β, which may hamper host immune response to DC vaccine. In this study, we demonstrated that TGF-β produced by tumors significantly reduced the potency of DC/tumor fusion vaccines. TGF-β-secreting (CT26-TGF-β) stable mouse colon cancer cell lines were generated using a retroviral vector expressing TGF-β. A non-TGF-β-secreting (CT26-neo) cell line was generated using an empty retroviral vector. The efficacies of DC/tumor fusion vaccines were assessed in vitro and in vivo. DC/CT26-TGF-β fusion cells failed to induce a strong T cell proliferative response in vitro, mainly due to the effect of TGF-β on T cell responsiveness rather than DC stimulatory capability. Animals vaccinated with DC/CT26-TGF-β fusion vaccine had lower tumor-specific CTL activity and had significantly lower survival after tumor challenge as compared with animals immunized with DC/CT26-neo hybrids (45 vs 77%, p < 0.05). Ex vivo exposure of DCs to TGF-β did not appear to lessen the efficacy of DC vaccine. These data suggest that tumor-derived TGF-β reduces the efficacy of DC/tumor fusion vaccine via an in vivo mechanism. Neutralization of TGF-β produced by the fusion cells may enhance the effectiveness of DC-based immunotherapy.
Cross Training in Serial Production With Process Characteristics and Operational Factors

Worker multifunctionality has been recognized as a tool for enhancing system flexibility and performance. This paper investigates the impacts of worker multifunctionality in a heterogeneous serial production system in the presence of individual differences in experiential learning and forgetting. The tradeoffs of multifunctionality and cross training are examined in conjunction with several process characteristics and operational decisions including staffing level, system bottleneck position, task similarity degree, and worker rotation interval. The results show the relationships between the preferred level of worker multifunctionality and both process characteristics and operational decisions. In several cases, minimum multifunctionality and short worker rotation intervals provide improved system performance. Additionally, process characteristics, such as the position of the system bottleneck and the degree of task similarity, have impacts on individual learning--forgetting behaviors and, subsequently, on decisions relating to multifunctionality levels and system performance.
Behavior and Effects of Foreign Investors on Istanbul Stock Exchange

This paper analyzes the effects of foreign investors on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE), as well as their behavior when trading on the Turkish stock market. Using a VAR model with net foreign portfolio inflow and US Dollar returns of ISE as endogenous variables, we show that there is a monthly contemporaneous relationship between these variables, and therefore when foreign investors enter the Turkish market, the ISE index raises contemporaneously, and vice-versa. However, this cannot be considered as a long-run process of base broadening, since net foreign portfolio inflow and the first difference of Foreign Portfolio Holdings are stationary over the period analyzed. Evidence of negative feedback trading was found, suggesting that these investors adopt contrarian strategies when trading in the Turkish market. This behavior is not in line with the results of previous empirical studies, which either found no feedback trading, or evidence of positive feedback trading. Also, we found no price pressure effect created by foreign investors. We give robustness to our results through the use of control variables and different lag-structure specifications. Therefore, on the basis of our findings, foreign investors cannot be blamed for causing instability in Turkey. On the contrary, the negative feedback strategy tends to smooth market movements instead of exacerbating them. In this way, foreign equity investment seems to be beneficial to the Turkish stock market.
NK Cells Play a Critical Protective Role in Host Defense against Acute Extracellular Staphylococcus aureus Bacterial Infection in the Lung1

Staphylococcus aureus remains a common cause of nosocomial bacterial infections and are often antibiotic resistant. The role of NK cells and IL-15 and their relationship in host defense against extracellular bacterial pathogens including S. aureus remain unclear. We have undertaken several approaches to address this issue using wild type (WT), IL-15 gene knock-out (KO), and NK cell-depleted mouse models. Upon pulmonary staphylococcal infection WT mice had markedly increased activated NK cells, but not NKT or γδ T cells, in the airway lumen that correlated with IL-15 production in the airway and with alveolar macrophages. In vitro exposure to staphylococcal products and/or coculture with lung macrophages directly activated NK cells. In contrast, lung macrophages better phagocytosed S. aureus in the presence of NK cells. In sharp contrast to WT controls, IL-15 KO mice deficient in NK cells were found to be highly susceptible to pulmonary staphylococcal infection despite markedly increased neutrophils and macrophages in the lung. In further support of these findings, WT mice depleted of NK cells were similarly susceptible to staphylococcal infection while they remained fully capable of IL-15 production in the lung at levels similar to those of NK-competent WT hosts. Our study thus identifies a critical role for NK cells in host defense against pulmonary extracellular bacterial infection and suggests that IL-15 is involved in this process via its indispensable effect on NK cells, but not other innate cells. These findings hold implication for the development of therapeutics in treating antibiotic-resistant S. aureus infection.
Antitussives in the Treatment of Acute Transient Cough in Children

Although cough may be caused by several factors, the most common causes are acute viral respiratory infections (1). Cough related to viral infection is usually transient and needs no treatment. However, antitussive drugs are widely used in such situations despite of criticism (2, 3). In this double-blind parallel group study we compared the efficacy of two preparations, an antitussive or an antitussive-& sympathomimetic combination, with that of placebo in the treatment of cough related to acute respiratory infection in children.
Human Resource Management of Foreign Staff Employees in Japanese Companies

Since the 1980's Japan's direct investment overseas has begun to grow at an accelerating pace. As a result of the expansion of overseas operations many Japanese firms are experiencing many difficulties in the area of human resource management. These firms are being urged to develop adequate methods which will allow them to transfer the traditional style of Japanese human resource management to their foreign business branches which are located in various nations. Furthermore, these firms must change their methods of utilizing employees in their domestic organizations as well. Many Japanese firms, which have urgently expanded their foreign operations, emphasize the necessity for an internationa! ization of human resource management in domestic organizations. In this context it is noteworthy that many Japanese firms have begun to utilize foreign employees in their company headquarters or in other organizations in Japan. In the Japanese legal framework it is necessary to distinguish clearly between two types of foreign workers; manual laborers working illegally without proper visas, and white collar employees who have been granted proper working visas. It is well known that the number of illegal workers has dramatically increased in recent years. This study, however, focuses on that segment of the foreign population working legally in Japan. The problem of illegal foreign workers must be looked upon as a separate problem since it is quite different in nature. In this paper the author describes some recent trends in the entry of the foreign employees into Japan and the present situation regarding human resource management of foreign nationals at the company level. This paper is mainly based on an interview survey which was conducted in seven companies and with 33 foreign employees of Japanese concerns,l
Astrobiology and habitability studies in preparation for future Mars missions: trends from investigating minerals, organics and biota

Abstract Several robotic exploration missions will travel to Mars during this decade to investigate habitability and the possible presence of life. Field research at Mars analogue sites such as desert environments can provide important constraints for instrument calibration, landing site strategies and expected life detection targets. We have characterized the mineralogy, organic chemistry and microbiology of ten selected sample sites from the Utah desert in close vicinity to the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) during the EuroGeoMars 2009 campaign (organized by International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG), NASA Ames and ESA ESTEC). Compared with extremely arid deserts (such as the Atacama), organic and biological materials can be identified in a larger number of samples and subsequently be used to perform correlation studies. Among the important findings of this field research campaign are the diversity in the mineralogical composition of soil samples even when collected in close proximity, the low abundances of detectable polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and amino acids and the presence of biota of all three domains of life with significant heterogeneity. An extraordinary variety of putative extremophiles, mainly Bacteria and also Archaea and Eukarya was observed. The dominant factor in measurable bacterial abundance seems to be soil porosity and lower small (clay-sized) particle content. However, correlations between many measured parameters are difficult to establish. Field research conducted during the EuroGeoMars 2009 campaign shows that the geological history and depositional environment of the region, as well as the mineralogy influence the ability to detect compounds such as amino acids and DNA. Clays are known to strongly absorb and bind organic molecules often preventing extraction by even sophisticated laboratory methods. Our results indicate the need for further development and optimization of extraction procedures that release biological compounds from host matrices to enable the effective detection of biomarkers during future sampling campaigns on Earth and Mars.
Continuum of historical controversies regarding the structural-functional relationship of the glomerular ultrafiltration unit.

seminal tracer experiments of the 1960s by Farquhar and Palade ([8][1]) using ferritin, a prototype of globular protein-like albumin, established that glomerular capillaries in mammals serve as a barrier to the transglomerular passage of circulating large-molecular-weight plasma proteins since this
Ten-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of adjuvant clodronate treatment in node-positive breast cancer patients.

527 Background: There are three studies available of the effect of adjuvant bisphosphonate treatment on survival in primary operable breast cancer with conflicting results. We here present the extended 10 year follow-up result of the Finnish adjuvant clodronate study. METHODS Between 1990 and 1993, 299 women with primary node positive breast cancer were randomized to oral clodronate 1600 mg daily (149) or control groups (150) for three years. All patients received adjuvant chemo- or endocrine therapy. The final population was 282 patients. Intent-to-treat analyses were also performed. Pretreatment characteristics were well balanced between the groups except PgR receptor status. In the clodronate group there were more PgR negative patients (p = 0.03). RESULTS Within ten years bone metastases were detected at the same frequency in the clodronate and control groups: 44 (32 %) vs. 42 (29 %), respectively, (p = 0.35). The frequency of nonskeletal recurrences (visceral and local) was significantly higher in the clodronate group 69 (50 %) as compared to the controls 51 (36 %) (p = 0.005). Ten-year disease-free survival (DFS) remained significantly lower in the clodronate group (45 % vs. 58%, p = 0.01, respectively). In ER positive patients ten-year DFS was 55 % in the clodronate group, and 59 % in the controls with no difference between the groups (p = 0.47); while in ER negative patients the DFS difference was highly significant in favor of the controls: 25 % vs. 58 %(p = 0.004), respectively. In multivariate analyses of DFS nodal status, tumor size, PgR status and study treatment group remained statistically significant. No significant overall survival difference was found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS As previously reported three-year adjuvant clodronate treatment did not prevent the development of bone metastases in node-positive breast cancer patients. A negative effect of clodronate on DFS by increasing the development of visceral metastases was still seen at 10 years especially in ER negative patients, but this did not significantly compromise overall survival. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Redifferentiation of smooth muscle cells after coronary angioplasty determined via myosin heavy chain expression.

BACKGROUND The pathophysiology of phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) involved in restenosis after angioplasty is not well understood. Smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM MHC) isoforms (SM1 and SM2) are specific markers for SMC differentiation. In particular, SM2 is useful as a marker of mature SMCs. SMemb is a nonmuscle myosin heavy chain (NM MHC) whose expression is upregulated in immature or activated SMC. METHODS AND RESULTS To determine SMC phenotypes in neointimal tissues after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), we performed immunohistochemistry on human coronary arteries with antibodies against alpha-SM actin, SM1, SM2, and SMemb. Tissues were obtained from six autopsied patients and from atherectomy specimens from 16 patients who had undergone PTCA. Medial SMCs were positive for alpha-actin, SM1, and SM2. Expression of SM1 and SM2 in the neointima varied with the time after intervention, whereas alpha-actin was constitutively expressed in all cases studied. Neointimal cells at 16 and 20 days after PTCA contained alpha-actin but little or no SM1 or SM2, indicating that these cells modulated their phenotype to the immature state. Neointimal SMCs recovered SM MHC expression, first SM1 and then SM2, by 6 months after PTCA. Increased expression of SMemb was found in the neointima but without apparent relationship to the time after PTCA. CONCLUSIONS Neointimal SMCs show features of an undifferentiated state, indicated by altered expression of SM MHC, and undergo redifferentiation in a time-dependent manner. The expression of SM MHC isoforms provides insight into the biology of healing after angioplasty and furnishes useful tools for the understanding of the roles of differentiation and phenotypic modulation of SMCs in human vascular lesions.
Offshoring by manufacturing and service firms in the Netherlands : Offshoring behavior in times of a financial crisis

This report includes an overview of the research results regarding the offshore behavior of service and manufacturing firms. The underlying field study is conducted to provide an answer on to the following research question: What is the offshoring behavior of firms operating from The Netherlands? It is a follow up to three research studies focused on the offshoring behavior of service firms conducted by Nyenrode during the period 2003-20081. The earlier studies focused on the service industry because of the perceived shift from the production to the service industry. Towards the end of the last century, services became more tradable2 due to among others advances in information communication technology3. At that time especially, the offshoring behavior of service firms was a challenging research field because academic literature, data and statistics were difficult to capture4. The underlying study aims at providing insights in the status quo and future of offshoring by firms operating from the Netherlands and includes both manufacturing and service firms. In addition,the aim is to determine a trend line in the offshoring behavior of firms operating from the Netherlands by comparing the results of the studies conducted during the period 2003-2010.
Surgical therapies for the treatment of gingival recession. A systematic review.

BACKGROUND A variety of soft tissue augmentation procedures directed at root coverage have been documented in the literature utilizing autogenous or allogenic soft tissue grafting or guided tissue regeneration (GTR). RATIONALE The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the literature regarding the efficacies of various surgical gingival augmentation procedures relative to clinical and patient-oriented outcomes. FOCUSED QUESTION What is the effect of surgical therapy for root coverage in patients with gingival recession compared with other treatment modalities or baseline values? SEARCH PROTOCOL PubMed and the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register were searched to identify human studies in English investigating the therapeutic use of a soft tissue surgical procedure to treat gingival recession. Searches were performed for articles published by April 2002. SELECTION CRITERIA Initial screening of identified abstracts accepted all studies evaluating surgical intervention of gingival recession. Independent review by 2 reviewers evaluated full-text reports regarding study characteristics. Only those studies determined to be randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included in the final analysis. DATA ANALYSIS AND COLLECTION: Outcome measures included changes in root coverage, clinical attachment levels (CAL), probing depth (PD), and width of keratinized tissue (KT). The only data suitable for meta-analysis were comparisons of the efficacy of connective tissue grafts with GTR. MAIN RESULTS 1. Thirty-two articles (total study population: 687) met the criteria for RCTs: 11 (population: 286) related to various autogenous soft tissue augmentation procedures; 18 (population: 360) to GTR; and 3 (population: 41) to allogenic soft tissue augmentation. 2. Meta-analysis identified greater gains in both root coverage and keratinized tissue width for connective tissue graft procedures compared to GTR. 3. No other data were compatible with meta-analysis. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS 1. Soft tissue augmentation procedures are effective means of obtaining root coverage. 2. Connective grafting techniques appear to have an advantage over GTR. 3. There is a need for further efficacy studies and for investigation of these procedures relative to patient-oriented outcomes such as esthetics, root sensitivity, and postoperative morbidities.
Performance bounds for Turbo-coded SC-PSK/FSO communications over strong turbulence channels

This paper comprehensively investigates the performance of the Turbo-coded free-space optical (FSO) system using subcarrier phase shift keying (SC-PSK) signaling. We obtain theoretical bounds for the system's bit-error rate (BER) and channel capacity over the gamma-gamma strong turbulence channels in both uncoded and Turbo-coded cases. We quantitatively show that the BER and channel capacity are considerably affected by the strong turbulence. In Turbo-coded systems, a coding gain of about 4 dB and 5% channel capacity increase can be achieved in the strong turbulence regime.