Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of the Specialization of Private Equity Firms on Their Exit Strategy

We investigate how industry and stage specialization of Private Equity (PE) firms affect the likelihood to exit investments by means of trade sales, Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), or Secondary Buyouts (SBOs). Our empirical analysis relies on competing risks models. Using a sample of 818 Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs) by US and European PE firms over the period 2000-2015, we find that both industry and stage specializations of PEs increase the likelihood to exit via IPO, whereas only industry specialization positively affects the likelihood of divesting through a trade sale. Finally, SBOs are more likely for non-specialized investors.
Who's afraid of Allan Savory? Scientometric polarization on Holistic Management as competing understandings

Abstract How to graze livestock sustainably is an important and complex question. The debate between rotational and continuous grazing has been ongoing since the 1950s, yet evidence is perennially mixed. We used scientometrics to understand the structure of science on Holistic Management (HM), the most contentious of these adaptive practices. We used papers in Web of Science since 1980 citing the work of HM's ‘father’, Allan Savory, as a way of delineating a field that is otherwise chaotic with terminology. Results show an increasingly diverse use of Savory's work geographically and in terms of subject areas. Taking a positive position on HM seems most likely for those doing farm-scale (rather than experimental) work in dry climates. Bibliographic factions align with the various disciplines working on grazing research and also their expressed opinion on HM practices. Factions represent disciplinary strength, suggesting barriers for integrative work but also the need for the resolution of competing understandings in specific contexts with diverse participants to inform grazing decisions.
Supporting progression in growth sectors : a review of the international evidence

Examines the available evidence on in-work progression of employees in growth sectors. Explains the issue of wage progression and the sector focus adopted in the study. Describes the approach taken to reviewing and analysing evidence. Outlines the importance of the issue of progression from low paid work and the potential role for public policy in encouraging retention and progression. Provides findings relating to progression initiatives in growth sectors: financial and professional services; manufacturing; energy and environment; construction; social care; and hospitality. Provides conclusions and considers the policy implications arising from the study, including the importance of considering business models alongside employment policy.
Origin and fate of repeats in bacteria

We investigated 53 complete bacterial chromosomes for intrachromosomal repeats. In previous studies on eukaryote chromosomes, we proposed a model for the dynamics of repeats based on the continuous genesis of tandem repeats, followed by an active process of high deletion rate, counteracted by rearrangement events that may prevent the repeats from being deleted. The present study of long repeats in the genomes of Bacteria and Archaea suggests that our model of interspersed repeats dynamics may apply to them. Thus the duplication process might be a consequence of very ancient mechanisms shared by all three domains. Moreover, we show that there is a strong negative correlation between nucleotide composition bias and the repeat density of genomes. We hypothesise that in highly biased genomes, non-duplicated small repeats arise more frequently by random effects and are used as primers for duplication mechanisms, leading to a higher density of large repeats.
Identification and Potency of Cyclodextrin-Lipid Inhibitors of Staphylococcus aureus α-Toxin

Purpose: Staphylococcus aureus, a leading cause of bacterial keratitis, secretes α-toxin, a cytotoxin active on the corneal epithelium. This study describes the production and testing of chemical inhibitors of α-toxin action. Methods: Purified α-toxin was titered by its ability to lyse rabbit erythrocytes in buffered saline (PBS). To prepare potential toxin inhibitors, each of 18 lipids was incorporated into a complex with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) or hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). Serial dilutions of each lipid-cyclodextrin (CD-lipid) complex were mixed with α-toxin prior to the addition of rabbit erythrocytes. Select CD-lipid complexes were mixed with 12 hemolytic units (HU) α-toxin and injected into the rabbit corneal stroma so the resulting corneal erosions could be measured at 4 and 8 hours post-injection (PI). Eyes injected with toxin alone, MβCD, or HPβCD alone served as controls. Results: Neither form of CD alone inhibited α-toxin. Of the 36 complexes prepared, 6 lipid-CD complexes were found to inhibit >100 HU of α-toxin. Four lipid complexes able to inhibit >200 HU of α-toxin were tested in toxin-injected corneas; at 4 and 8 hours PI, the complexes of cholesterol or lanosterol with MβCD and squalene or desmosterol with HPβCD caused a significant reduction in the corneal erosion size as compared to eyes injected with α-toxin alone (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Specific lipid inclusion complexes with either MβCD or HPβCD demonstrated a significant inhibition of α-toxin in both in vitro and in vivo assays. Changes in either the cyclodextrin or lipid of a complex affected the inhibitory activity.
Epigenetic inactivation of the metastasis suppressor RECK enhances invasion of human colon cancer cells

Down‐regulation of RECK, an important metastasis suppressor gene, has been found in human colon cancer. However, the molecular mechanism for this down‐ regulation and its biological significance are still unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether down‐regulation of RECK is caused by epigenetic inactivation via promoter methylation and tested the effect of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor on RECK expression and cell invasion. The mRNA and protein levels of RECK in colon tumor tissues and their normal counterparts were compared. We found that down‐regulation of RECK was found in 48% of the twenty five tumors analyzed. MSP analysis demonstrated that methylation of RECK promoter was detected in 44% (11/25) of the tumor tissues and a strong correlation between down‐regulation and promoter methylation was found (P = 0.028). Promoter methylation was also found in SW480 and SW620 human colon cancer cell lines. DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor 5′‐azacytidine reversed promoter methylation, restored RECK expression and suppressed invasion by these two cell lines. Restoration of RECK is critical for 5′‐azacytidine‐mediated suppression of cell invasion because inhibition of RECK by a specific antibody significantly attenuated the anti‐invasive ability of 5′‐azacytidine. Taken together, our results suggest that down‐regulation of the metastasis suppressor RECK in colon cancer is associated with promoter methylation and that a DNMT inhibitor may restore RECK expression to inhibit cell invasion. J. Cell. Physiol. 213: 65–69, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Wide clinical variability in conditions with coarse facial features and hypertrichosis caused by mutations in ABCC9

We present two previously unreported and unrelated female patients, one with the tentative diagnosis of acromegaloid facial appearance (AFA), the other with the tentative diagnosis of hypertrichosis with acromegaloid facial appearance (HAFF) with or without gingival hyperplasia. Main clinical features of HAFF were generalized hypertrichosis terminalis and coarse facial features. In both patients, pregnancy was complicated by polyhydramnios, and both had hyperbilirubinemia and persistent fetal circulation. Development was normal in one patient and slightly delayed in the other. At 13 years, both had round faces with full cheeks, thick scalp hair and eyebrows, a low frontal hairline, hirsutism, hyperextensible joints and deep palmar creases. One of them additionally showed gingival hypertrophy and epicanthus, the other one was macrocephalic at birth and at the age of 13 years and suffered from repeated swelling of the soft tissue. Array analysis excluded a 17q24.2‐q24.3 microdeletion, which has been reported in patients with hypertrichosis terminalis with or without gingival hyperplasia. Sequencing of the mutational hotspots of the ABCC9 gene revealed two different de novo missense mutations in the two patients. Recently, identical mutations have been found recurrently in patients with Cantú syndrome. Therefore, we propose that ABCC9 mutations lead to a spectrum of phenotypes formerly known as Cantú syndrome, HAFF and AFA, which may not be clearly distinguishable by clinical criteria, and that all patients with clinical signs belonging to this spectrum should be revisited and offered ABCC9 mutation analysis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of a 58-kilodalton cell surface fibrinogen-binding mannoprotein from Candida albicans

Treatment of both yeast (blastoconidia) and hyphal (blastoconidia with germ tubes) cells of Candida albicans with beta-mercaptoethanol (beta ME) releases a complex array of cell wall-bound proteins and glycoproteins. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western immunoblotting with fibrinogen-anti-fibrinogen antibody allowed the identification of a 58-kDa mannoprotein (mp58) in both extracts which specifically interacts with human fibrinogen. Treatment of intact cells with low concentrations of beta-glucanase (Zymolyase 20T) for short periods or with beta ME abolished or significantly reduced binding of fibrinogen. A rabbit polyclonal antiserum was raised against the purified mp58 species released by beta ME from germinated blastoconidia (PAb anti-mp58). By Western blotting, the antiserum cross-reacted with the homologous 58-kDa fibrinogen-binding mannoprotein present in beta ME extracts from blastoconidia, and by indirect immunofluorescence, the antiserum labelled both yeast cells and hyphae, yet reactivity was found primarily on the cell surface of filamentous forms. Immunostaining of human infected tissue sections with PAb anti-mp58 showed that the mp58 species is also expressed in vivo; in this case, the species is in the forms of both yeast and hyphal elements similarly labelled by the antiserum. Purified immunoglobulin G fraction from the antiserum did not alter the binding of fibrinogen as determined by a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting. The N- and O-glycosidically linked carbohydrates represent 18 to 20% and 3 to 4%, respectively, of the molecular mass of the mp58. O-linked sugar residues may be involved in the interaction of the molecule with fibrinogen.
A decoupling method based on reference current feedforward for DQ-frame PI current control of grid-connected voltage source converters

Axes cross-coupling in dq-frame will deteriorate the current control performance, especially for applications with low pulse ratios. Decoupling methods based on inductor current state feedback (ICSF) and complex vector PI controllers (cVPI) have been proposed and performed to decouple the axes cross-coupling in dq-frame. In this paper, the axes cross-coupling is analyzed and described with complex-coefficient transfer function. It was pointed out that the dq-frame axes cross-coupling mostly attributes to the lagging phase angle of the plant at the operating frequency. And the closed-loop system with good decoupling performance should present a symmetrical bode diagram with respect to its operating frequency. A new decoupling method based on reference current feed-forward (RCFF) was proposed to deal with the axes cross-coupling. Its decoupling performance was compared with the other two methods (ICSF and cVPI). ICSF, cVPI and the proposed RCFF methods can be considered as three basic types of decoupling methods. The advantages and disadvantages of each decoupling technique were discussed and compared in this paper.
Regional competitiveness: connecting an old concept with new goals

The term â€˜competitivenessâ€™ has been used in conceptually distinct ways at the firm, regional and national level, and after reviewing existing concepts at the national level this chapter introduces a new definition of regional competitiveness, adapting definitions used in the academic literature. Specifically, it assessess â€˜outcome competitivenessâ€™ not in reference to gross domestic product (GDP) or employment but under the new perspective of a more socially inclusive and ecologically sustainable growth path, as envisaged in the WWWforEurope research programme, in which 33 European research groups are taking part. Evaluating competitiveness requires both an input assessment (costs, productivity, economic structure, capabilities) and an outcome assessment. The chapter defines regional outcome competitiveness as the ability of a region to deliver Beyond GDP goals. For regions in industrialized countries, this ability depends on innovation, education, institutions, social cohesion and ecological ambition. Given this new perspective (of broader Beyond GDP goals), social investments and ecological ambitions should not be considered costs, but rather drivers of a â€˜high-road competitivenessâ€™. This is compatible with a new innovation policy fostering non-technical innovations and a new industrial policy supporting societal goals. Applying this concept to European regions, the chapter shows which regions take the â€˜high roadâ€™ to competitiveness and compares results with the existing literature.
C4 allotypes and HLA‐DR antigens in the family of a patient with C4 deficiency

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotypes, including HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C and ‐DR and complotypes (BF, C2, C4A and C4B) were determined in a large family with inherited C4 deficiency. The propositus, a 12‐year‐old girl with complete C4 deficiency and SLE, had the MHC haplotypes HLA‐A2,‐Cw3,‐B40,‐DR6, BFS, C2C, C4AQO, C4BQO inherited from her father and HLA‐A30, ‐B8, ‐DR3, BFF1, C2C, C4AQO, C4BQO from her mother. These haplotypes were identified in several of the healthy relatives, who were thus shown to be carriers of C4 deficiency. Most of the other haplotypes found in the family were not considered to be unusual in the general population. The complete absence of C4 in the patient was confirmed by studies of Chido and Rodgers antigens in the plasma and on the erythrocytes, the absence of plasma C4d fragments and by studies of C4 chain antigens by immunoblotting technique. The results of the genetic analysis, together with the findings in other cases of C4 deficiency, supports the possibility that complete C4 deficiency in itself predisposes to development of SLE without contribution of other MHC gene products.
Comparison of 3 bone substitutes in canine extraction sites.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the healing response with 3 different bone substitute materials in extraction sites in the dog. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four dogs had their mandibular and maxillary premolars extracted atraumatically. The sites were immediately grafted with anorganic bovine bone (Bio-Oss, Osteohealth, Shirley, NY), Bone Source (Leibinger, Inc, Kalamazoo, MI), or Embarc (Lorenz Surgical, Jacksonville, FL), or left untreated as a control. After 8 weeks, the sites were removed for histologic evaluation of bone fill and the healing response. RESULTS All sites healed well without signs of infection. No significant differences were noted in the shape of the ridges between groups. The control sites had radiographic bone fill by 8 weeks. The Bio-Oss sites showed bone fill with a similar appearance to the control sites. The Bone Source and Embarc sites showed implant material taking up most of the extraction site. In all sites the control and Bio-Oss sites had significantly more bone formation than the Embarc and Bone Source sites (P <.05). The control sites contained woven bone. The Bio-Oss sites were similar to the control sites, but with remnants of Bio-Oss in the bone. The Bone Source and Embarc sites were filled predominantly with the graft material without evidence of resorption and replacement of the materials, and with minimal bone formation. CONCLUSIONS Based on this study, the control and Bio-Oss sites were similar, with bone filling most of the extraction site. The other 2 materials did not show replacement with bone.
ENTREPRENEURIAL MOTIVATIONS AS DRIVERS OF EXPERT CREATIVITY

Even if creativity is an essential part of innovative work, surprisingly, little is known about the creativity of employee-experts and entrepreneur-experts. Awareness of the motivations that enhance creativity are important for any innovative company, because entrepreneurial motivations are likely to drive innovative individuals’ creativity and performance. We take the entrepreneurial motivation dimensions of achievement, materialism, flexibility and power into examination. We argue that there are differences in the motivations of employee-experts and entrepreneur-experts in relation to their creative performance. We use survey data from 423 expert respondents to analyse the relationships between these different motivations and creative performance. Our results indicate that there are both similarities and differences between the employee-experts and entrepreneur-experts in terms of their drivers of creativity. Entrepreneur creativity is driven by the motivations of materialism, achievement and power; for entrepreneurs, flexibility is not important. Meanwhile, employee-expert creativity is driven by achievement and power motivations; for this group, neither flexibility nor materialism are not important.
Investigation of outer cortical magnetisation transfer ratio abnormalities in multiple sclerosis clinical subgroups

Background: Pathological abnormalities including demyelination and neuronal loss are reported in the outer cortex in multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: We investigated for in vivo evidence of outer cortical abnormalities by measuring the magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR) in MS patients of different subgroups. Methods: Forty-four relapsing–remitting (RR) (mean age 41.9 years, median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 2.0), 25 secondary progressive (SP) (54.1 years, EDSS 6.5) and 19 primary progressive (PP) (53.1 years, EDSS 6.0) MS patients and 35 healthy control subjects (mean age 39.2 years) were studied. Three-dimensional (3D) 1×1×1mm3 T1-weighted images and MTR data were acquired. The cortex was segmented, then subdivided into outer and inner bands, and MTR values were calculated for each band. Results: In a pairwise analysis, mean outer cortical MTR was lower than mean inner cortical MTR in all MS groups and controls (p<0.001). Compared with controls, outer cortical MTR was decreased in SPMS (p<0.001) and RRMS (p<0.01), but not PPMS. Outer cortical MTR was lower in SPMS than PPMS (p<0.01) and RRMS (p<0.01). Conclusions: Lower outer than inner cortical MTR in healthy controls may reflect differences in myelin content. The lowest outer cortical MTR was seen in SPMS and is consistent with more extensive outer cortical (including subpial) pathology, such as demyelination and neuronal loss, as observed in post-mortem studies of SPMS patients.
Lithium treatment: a comparison of once‐and twice‐daily dosing

The effects of once‐ and twice‐daily dosing with lithium carbonate were compared in a non‐blind, cross‐over study on 20 consecutive patients with mood disorders. Mental status, side effects and target organ function were examined after a minimum of a 1‐month treatment with each regimen. Eighteen patients completed the study and 2 withdrew because of side effects. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Bech‐Rafaelsen Mania Scale, the UKU Side Effects Scale or in serum lithium, electrocardiogram and urine volumes. Most blood tests showed no significant difference between the 2 treatment schedules except for white blood cells, ionized calcium and phosphate concentration. The once‐daily regimen was associated with a higher white cell count, increased serum phosphate and elevated serum ionized calcium. We conclude that patients are able to tolerate once‐daily dosing with lithium carbonate as well as twice‐daily dosing.
Craniofacial Dermoids: An Embryological Theory Unifying Nasal Dermoid Sinus Cysts

Objective The nasal dermoid sinus cyst (NDSC) is an uncommon congenital lesion presenting as a large panel of midline craniofacial anomalies. The objective of this study was to review and reanalyze embryological hypotheses concerning NDSCs and to propose an embryological theory unifying the various anatomical characteristics of these lesions. The first case of frontal localization of a NDSC extending within the diploetic bone in a 9-month-old boy, presenting as a median frontal fistula with recurrent frontal swelling, 6 months after a mild frontal trauma is presented. Results Complete surgical removal was performed, and there was no evidence of either persistent or recurrent disease 2 years after his surgery. The embryological and anatomical origins of NDSCs are reviewed. This article reexamines and discusses major embryological theories on NDSC pathogenesis and proposes to refute the “prenasal space” theory of Grünwald and rehabilitate a forgotten embryological hypothesis, which unifies the main various clinical presentations of NDSCs.
Can music serve as a “cultural immunogen”? An explorative study

The aim of this study is to explore how people in contemporary society may apply music in their everyday life to improve their health and well-being. Through a series of qualitative interviews, informants gave their narratives about how music had become a part of their health practice. Six narratives concerning this type of everyday musical self-care are presented, and the following questions are sought to be answered: What kinds of musical practices do people apply in order to regulate their health and promote their sense of well-being? What kind of generative health mechanism can we observe or theorize when people use music to enhance their well-being? What kinds of rituals, contextual circumstances and personal health beliefs are operating in these situations? The findings suggests that some people may sing, participate in a choir, dance to music, compose songs, play precomposed music, or play in a band as part of a reflexive strategy to improve their health and well-being. Further analysis also identified six generative factors that may contribute to the immunogen functions of music: A pragmatic concept of music, music as a social and emotional resource, music as a supportive self object, musical competency, rituals, and locus of control. These findings may have implication for the field of music therapy as it will fill the gap between the clinical use of music done by professional music therapists and the everyday “musicking” performed by people outside the institutional practice.
Heavy metals accumulation in crab and shrimps from Pulicat lake, north Chennai coastal region, southeast coast of India

The accumulation of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) was examined in crab (Scylla serrata) and shrimps (Penaeus semisulcatus, Penaeus indicus, and Penaeus monodon) collected from Pulicat lake that receives effluents from industries located in north Chennai, southeast coast of India. The results showed limited difference between crab and prawns as well as significant variations between the organs. Pb is the highly accumulated metal in both crab and shrimps, except P. monodon. The highest metal concentration was mostly found in the liver followed by other organs. The concentration of metals in edible parts (muscle) was within the permissible level and safe for consumption. However, the results of the study clearly indicate the biomagnification of metals in Pulicat lake.