Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maquiladora Downturn: Structural Change Or Cyclical Factors?

Mexicos maquiladora industry is currently the focus of much attention in the media, in corporate boardrooms, and among Mexican government officials. After watching the maquiladora industry sustain its biggest ever employment decline in recent years, many observers now question the industrys future in Mexico. The 2001 U.S. economic recession took a heavy toll on Mexicos maquiladora industry, although the size of the industrys contraction during the recent recessionalmost 260,000 jobssuggests there are more factors at work than the mild business cycle. The advantages of operating plants in Mexico, such as low wages and tax incentives, are now offered by a number of developing countries. At the same time, location has become less important for many products, as innovations in transportation and technology lower shipping costs. This paper attempts to estimate how much of the current maquiladora downturn is due to the business cycle and how much is due to structural changes. We use the Branson-Love methodology to estimate structural and cyclical impacts on the maquiladora employment downturn. Results suggest that the 2001 U.S. recession and rising real wages in Mexico account for much of the maquiladora downturn. Historically, these are the two most important factors during maquiladora growth, but new factors such as Chinas membership in the World Trade Organization, the Caribbean initiative and implementation of NAFTA Article 303 have changed corporate options for plant location or affected the cost structure in Mexico. Although our statistical results strongly suggest a recovery in maquiladora employment, potentially important qualifications are discussed as well.
Targeting iodothyronine deiodinases locally in the retina is a therapeutic strategy for retinal degeneration

Recent studies have implicated thyroid hormone (TH) signaling in cone photoreceptor viability. Using mousemodels of retinal degeneration, we found that antithyroid treatment preserves cones. This work investigates the significance of targeting intracellular TH components locally in the retina. The cellular TH level is mainly regulated by deiodinase iodothyronine (DIO)‐2 and −3. DIO2 converts thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3), which binds to the TH receptor, whereas DIO3 degrades T3 and T4. We examined cone survival after overexpression of DIO3 and inhibition of DIO2 and demonstrated the benefits of these manipulations. Subretinal delivery of AAV5‐ IRBP/GNAT2‐DIO3, which directs expression of human DIO3 specifically in cones, increased cone density by 30–40%in a Rpe65−/− mouse model of Lebers congenital amaurosis (LCA) and in a Cpfl1 mouse with Pde6c defect model of achromatopsia, comparedwith their respective untreated controls. Intravitreal and topical delivery of the DIO2 inhibitor iopanoic acid also significantly improved cone survival in the LCA model mice. Moreover, the expression levels of DIO2 and Slc16a2 were significantly higher in the diseased retinas, suggesting locally elevated THsignaling. Weshowthat targetingDIOs protects cones, and intracellular inhibition of THcomponents locally in the retinamay represent a novel strategy for retinal degenerationmanagement. —Yang, F. , Ma,H. , Belcher, J., Butler, M.R. , Redmond, T.M. , Boye, S.L. , Hauswirth, W.W. , Ding, X. ‐Q. Targeting iodothyroninedeiodinases locally in the retina is a therapeutic strategy for retinal degeneration. FASEB J. 30, 4313–4325 (2016). www.fasebj. org
Anthropometry of fetal vasculature in the chorionic plate

Normal fetal development is dependent on adequate placental blood perfusion. The functional role of the placenta takes place mainly in the capillary system; however, ultrasound imaging of fetal blood flow is commonly performed on the umbilical artery, or on its first branches over the chorionic plate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the structural organization of the feto‐placental vasculature of the chorionic plate. Casting of the placental vasculature was performed on 15 full‐term placentas using a dental polymer mixed with colored ink. Observations of the cast models revealed that the branching architecture of the chorionic vessel is a combination of dichotomous and monopodial patterns, where the first two to three generations are always of a dichotomous nature. Analysis of the daughter‐to‐mother diameter ratios in the chorionic vessels provided a maximum in the range of 0.6–0.8 for the dichotomous branches, whereas in monopodial branches it was in the range of 0.1–0.3. Similar to previous studies, this study reveals that the vasculature architecture is mostly monopodial for the marginal cord insertion and mostly dichotomous for the central insertion. The more marginal the umbilical cord insertion is on the chorionic plate, the more monopodial branching patterns are created to compensate the dichotomous pattern deficiency to perfuse peripheral placental territories.
[Endogenous H2S is involved in the development of spontaneous hypertension].

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is recently found to be a new gaseous messenger playing an important role in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. The aim of this study was to explore the changes in endogenous H2S pathway and examine the effects of H2S on the development of spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR). A controlled study on SHR and WKY rats at the age of 4 weeks showed that after 5 weeks of experiment, the blood pressure of SHR was markedly increased as compared with WKY rats (183.57 +/- 11.80 mm Hg vs 107.5 +/- 22.68 mm Hg, P < 0.05) and the ratio of left heart weight to whole heart weight of SHR was also increased as compared with WKY rats (0.85 +/- 0.02 vs 0.83 +/- 0.02, P < 0.05). While, the aortic H2S producing rate and H2S plasma level were decreased in SHR compared with WKY rats (15.63 +/- 2.89 nmol.min-1.g-1 vs 25.31 +/- 5.99 nmol.min-1.g-1, 20.35 +/- 9.20 mumol.L-1 vs 48.40 +/- 13.36 mumol.L-1, P < 0.05). NaHS, however, attenuated the high blood pressure and the ratio of left heart weight to whole heart weight of SHR (158.13 +/- 12.52 mm Hg vs 183.57 +/- 11.80 mm Hg and 0.83 +/- 0.03 vs 0.85 +/- 0.02), respectively. The above findings suggested that the reduced production of endogenous H2S was important in the development of spontaneous hypertension. The authors also observed that 5 weeks after the experiment the relaxing rate of aortic rings in response to acetylcholine in SHR was higher than that of WKY rats and NaHS enhanced the relaxing-response of aortic rings to acetylcholine in SHR significantly(P < 0.05). The aortic relaxing activities in both SHR and WKY rats displayed a dose-dependent response to different doses of NaHS. In conclusion, the reduced production of endogenous H2S in aorta is involved in the pathogenesis of spontaneous hypertension and is of great biological importance in modulating vasorelaxation.
Developing sustainable market waste management through the joint efforts of technocrats and traders: A case study from Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract Solid waste disposal is the most serious environmental concern encountered in the markets of Ibadan, the largest indigenous city in tropical Africa and capital of Oyo state. Prominent among the 46 designated markets, Bodija is unique for its variety of trades and its large size. The Ibadan Waste Management Authority (IWMA), the agency responsible for waste collection and disposal in the city, seems to have failed. A study was carried out to mobilise market traders to plan and initiate a waste management strategy in the market. Pre-intervention activities involved a collection of baseline information on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and on the knowledge, attitude and practice of traders towards waste handling and disposal. Baseline information at the market revealed that the types of container used the traders for collection of waste were polythene bags 32 (14.5%), straw bags 84 (38.3%), baskets 80 (36.3%) and metal bowls 24 (11%). The number of traders who emptied their waste daily was 80 (36.3%), every three days 52 (23.6%) and once a week 27 (12.2%). Waste generated was disposed of by paid labourers 146 (66.4%), women 23 (10.5%) and children 50 (22.7%). The number of traders who disposed of their waste into a waste dump were 40 (18.1%), skip 163 (74%) and anywhere in the market 17 (7.7%). None of the 220 traders (100%) sorted waste into non-recyclables and recyclables before disposal. Post-intervention data revealed that the use of polythene bags and straw bags as containers for waste collection decreased to 6 (2.7%) and 50 (22.7%) respectively. There was, however, an increase in the use of baskets to 111 (50.5%) and metal bowls 53 (24%). The number of traders who disposed of their waste daily increased to 136 (61.8%) while those who disposed of it every three days decreased to 20 (9.0%) and none sorted the waste once a week. The number of traders who sorted waste before disposal was increased to 198 (90%). Weekly disposal of waste to a composting plant increased from none before intervention to 20 baskets at the end of two months, 49 baskets at four months, 84 baskets at six months and 112 baskets at eight months after intervention. These findings demonstrated that the educational programme had a positive influence on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of participant traders towards waste disposal. The study recommended that in solving the problem of waste disposal in markets, a community-based approach yields good results.
Rarebit fovea test in children: reference data for children aged six to 10 years

Introduction: The most common way to examine vision is to measure visual acuity using letter charts. The Rarebit fovea test was developed for detection of small defects of foveal function at a stage before they cause abnormal visual acuity. In a recent study, the RFT was well tolerated in a smaller group of children between seven and nine years of age; however, the number of subjects in that study was small for the determination of reference values, and therefore the aim of the present study was to establish reference values for a larger group of children aged between six and 10 years and to evaluate the learning effect after repeated tests.
An Office-Based Health Promotion Intervention for Overweight and Obese Uninsured Adults: A Feasibility Study

Background and Research Objective:Obesity continues to put more than two-thirds of the American adult population at risk for cardiovascular disease and other health problems. For the obese who are also medically uninsured, obtaining primary healthcare is very difficult. Engaging in no- or low-cost health promotion behaviors such as physical activity and diet modification can help to reduce the effects of obesity. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and initial efficacy of a nurse-delivered tailored physical activity intervention (health intervention promotion) to uninsured, overweight or obese adults seen in a free clinic. Feasibility was assessed by examining their adherence (attendance) to a visit with a registered nurse once a month for 6 months, and initial efficacy was assessed by examining weight loss over the 6-month intervention, as well as compliance with the measures of step counts and dietary log. Subjects and Methods:This mainly female (89%), white (70%) sample had a mean age of 46.65 (SD, 10.48) years. Results and Conclusions:Of the 123 participants who began the study, 23 (19%) completed all 6 months, although 49% came for 3 or more visits. Although the partial adherers in the study did have a decrease in body mass index (BMI) from 39.64 to 39.29 kg/m2, it was not a significant decrease. The full adherers to the study had a significant decrease in BMI from 37.27 to 36.67 kg/m2 (P = .027). This feasibility study demonstrated that a nurse counseling intervention was effective in decreasing BMI in those participants who fully adhered to the visits.
The association of ADH and ALDH gene variants with alcohol drinking habits and cardiovascular disease risk factors.

BACKGROUND Genetic variation in ethanol metabolism may have an influence on both alcohol drinking habits and the susceptibility to health effects of alcohol drinking. Such influences are likely to bias exposure-disease associations in epidemiologic studies of health effects of alcohol drinking. In a Caucasian population, we examined the association of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) genetic variants with alcohol drinking habits, biomarkers of alcohol exposure, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. METHODS The study population consisted of 1,216 Danish men and women aged 15-77 years participating in a health examination in 1998. The health examination included a self-administered questionnaire (alcohol drinking habits), a physical examination (blood pressure), and various blood tests [alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume (E-MCV), and lipids]. ADH and ALDH gene variants were determined by standard techniques. Data were analyzed by regression analyses adjusted for relevant confounders. RESULTS Self-reported alcohol drinking was significantly associated with increasing levels of ALAT, E-MCV, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood pressure. The ALDH1b ala69val variant was associated with nondrinking and total alcohol intake. The ALDH2 promoter variant was associated with binge-drinking, and the ALDH1b1 ala69val polymorphism was associated with diastolic blood pressure. We did not find any statistically significant interactions between any of the gene variants and alcohol consumption in relation to the various outcomes. CONCLUSIONS In this Caucasian population sample, we found evidence to support that genetic variation in ethanol metabolism may influence drinking habits, but no statistically significant gene-environment interactions. More large-scale epidemiologic studies are needed to confirm theses results and to further investigate genetic susceptibility to the effects of alcohol drinking.
Influence of Collateral Requirements on Sacco’s Credit Accessibility in Imenti North Sub-County, Kenya

Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCO’s) are started with a common objective which is savings mobilization and credit advancement. SACCO’s encounter challenges in promoting quality financial management practices in Kenya such as limited capital, sources of funds, credit risks management and negative cash liquidity, poor governance and very low credit accessibility. A national survey conducted by Central bank of Kenya on financial access (2013) revealed that SACCO’s credit accessibility has reduced from 2009 to 2013 despite the increase in credit demand. The general objective of the study was to assess the influence of collateral requirements on credit accessibility of SACCO’s in Imenti North Sub-County, Kenya. The target population of the study was 34 registered SACCO’s which offers credit and the management employees were the study respondents. Results revealed that collateral requirements have a moderate influence on credit accessibility in SACCO’s. Pearson correlations also indicated that collateral requirements have a major positive significance contribution on credit accessibility. It was recommended that SACCO’s should therefore possess a wide range of collaterals and also develop a policy which allows use other forms of collateral other than guarantors and shares only. This will certainly increase access to credit in SACCO’s.
Expression and function of the columnar patterning gene msh in late embryonic brain development of Drosophila

In Drosophila, specification of neural identity requires a network of conserved transcription factors, such as the columnar genes for dorsoventral patterning. Here, we analyze the expression and function of the columnar patterning gene muscle specific homeobox (msh) in late embryonic brain development. Expression of msh is observed in all brain neuromeres, including neurons and neuropile glia. Functional analysis demonstrates that msh is essential for proper development of the tritocerebral neuromere and brain neuropile glia. Thus, msh mutants display a severe loss of neural and glial tissue together with axonal patterning defects. This gap‐like phenotype initially correlates with defects in neural and glial cell formation and during later embryonic development is associated with increased apoptotic activity. Taken together, our results provide evidence that the columnar patterning gene msh is required for correct tritocerebral neuromere development, as well as for neuropile glia formation and axogenesis in embryonic brain development of Drosophila. Developmental Dynamics 235:2920–2929, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Breast cancer metastasis: demonstration that FOXP3 regulates CXCR4 expression and the response to CXCL12

The X‐linked transcription factor FOXP3 is expressed by epithelial cells of organs including the breast, where it is considered a tumour suppressor. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 also regulates the development of breast cancer by stimulating cell migration towards CXCL12‐expressing sites of metastatic spread. During activation, human T cells show reciprocal regulation of FOXP3 and CXCR4. This study was designed to examine the role FOXP3 plays in metastatic breast cancer, with a particular focus on its potential to regulate CXCR4. Human breast cancer samples showed significantly decreased FOXP3 protein expression but an increased number of CXCR4 transcripts. In comparison with normal primary breast epithelial cells, FOXP3 was down‐regulated at both transcript and protein levels in the breast cancer cell lines MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231. In the invasive MDA‐MB‐231 cells, the remaining FOXP3 was located predominately within the cytoplasm. Following stable FOXP3 overexpression in MDA‐MB‐231 cells, significant decreases were observed in the expression of ErbB2/HER2, SKP2, c‐MYC, and CXCR4. In contrast, an increase in p21 expression led to inhibition of cell proliferation, with a greater proportion in the G1 phase of the cell cycle suggesting the induction of senescence. Specific knockdown of FOXP3 in normal human breast epithelial cells with siRNA significantly increased ErbB2/HER2, SKP2, c‐MYC, and CXCR4, and decreased p21 expression. These cells also showed a significantly increased chemotactic response towards CXCL12, consistent with a role for FOXP3 in the regulation of cell migration. Results from this study are consistent with FOXP3 functioning as an important tumour suppressor in breast cancer. Indeed, the potential functions of FOXP3 in breast epithelium can now be extended to include regulation of CXCR4 expression and response to the pro‐metastatic chemokine CXCL12. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Legends of Service Excellence: The Habits of Seven Highly Effective Hospitality Companies

This article identifies hospitality firms that are frequent subjects of positive customer storytelling and examines these firms for common practices. Seven exemplar firms were identified. Themes drawn from data were categorized into 10 theme clusters. A single theme—related to customer and employee obsession—was determined to be the common thread. An assessment of customer and employee practices from the exemplar firms is provided to give illustrations of specific practices. By understanding some of the practices of exemplar firms, managers can gain insights into how customer and employee treatment strategies can be incorporated into their businesses.
The RHO1‐GAPs SAC7, BEM2 and BAG7 control distinct RHO1 functions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the small GTPase RHO1 plays an essential role in the control of cell wall synthesis and organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Several regulators for RHO1 are known, including the GTPase‐activating proteins (GAPs) SAC7 and BEM2. Here we show that BAG7, identified as the closest homologue of SAC7, also acts as a GAP for RHO1 in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we find that BAG7, SAC7, and BEM2 are functionally different in vivo. Overexpression of BAG7 or SAC7, but not BEM2, suppresses the cold sensitivity of a sac7 mutation and the lethality of RHO1 hyperactivation in response to cell wall damage. In contrast, overexpression of BEM2 or SAC7, but not BAG7, downregulates the RHO1‐controlled PKC1‐MPK1 pathway, and disruption of BEM2 or SAC7, but not BAG7, results in increased MPK1 activation. We conclude that BEM2 and SAC7, but not BAG7, are involved in the control of the RHO1‐mediated activation of MPK1, whereas BAG7 and SAC7, but not BEM2, are involved in the regulation of other RHO1 functions. This suggests that different RHO1 GAPs control different RHO1 effector pathways, thus ensuring their individual regulation at the appropriate place and time.
Responsive Enforcement Strategy and Corporate Compliance with Disclosure Regulations

We investigate the role of enforcement strategy in improving firms’ compliance with corporate disclosure regulations. We find that a responsive enforcement strategy developed by the Australian corporate and financial markets regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), yielded significant improvements in analysts’ information environment and market liquidity over the period when a series of additional sanctions were progressively introduced. We conclude that the design and implementation of an appropriate enforcement strategy is an important determinant of the effectiveness of public enforcement of securities laws.
PENGARUH SERVICE QUALITY TERHADAP SATISFACTION DAN CUSTOMER LOYALTY KOPERASI DADIRAH DI DILI TIMOR-LESTE

Service quality is an attitude and behavior of people in providing services according to the needs, desires and expectations of consumers being served. A better service quality able to increase satisfaction and customer loyalty. This study aims to analyze the influence of service quality towards customer satisfaction and loyalty. This research was conducted in Cooperative of Dadirah, using 64 members of cooperative as a sample. Data were collected by conducting interviews and questionnaires. Subsequently collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and Partial Least Square. The results of this study shows that service quality which is given by cooperativa of Dadirah have positive and significant effect towards customer satisfaction and loyalty, but the satisfaction is found not significant positive effect on customer loyalty. The implications of this study indicate that the service quality plays an important role in creating customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.
Database marketing

During the past century, database marketing techniques have become increasingly important in allowing companies to reach and communicate with customers. An examination of the history of the field suggests that many of the core concepts associated with database marketing date back several decades, but the dissemination of these concepts into different industries and their integration with one another has proceeded slowly. This article presents an overview of how the field of database marketing has developed, with the hope that knowledge of what has happened in the past will enable marketers to find better ways to create relationships with their customers in the future.