Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Key technological factors for successful RFID systems application in food supply chain management.

The RFID market expansion in different sectors and the significantly expected growth in the next years, depend on some key success factors, which determine the effective implementation of the technology. In some cases, RF identification is mandatory or is requested to upgrade the existing systems to enhance safety, efficiency and reliability. In the logistic management of food supply chains, different factors limit the reliability of UHF systems as in the case of the identification of high water content products. Aim of this work is to identify technological aspects and limits that nowadays prevent the implementation of RFID systems in food supply chains. The paper reports the results of experimentations carried out considering different contexts of the supply chains of some food products (e.g. pasta, bakery, drinks). Considering their high performances, relatively low cost and the availability of anti-collision protocols for multiple and dynamic reading, the research has been dedicated to UHF systems.
Efficacy of Opsonic and Nonopsonic Serotype 3 Pneumococcal Capsular Polysaccharide-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies against Intranasal Challenge with Streptococcus pneumoniae in Mice

ABSTRACT Serotype-specific antibodies to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PPS) are a critical component of vaccine-mediated immunity to Streptococcus pneumoniae. In this study, we investigated the in vitro opsonophagocytic activities of three PPS-specific mouse immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), 1E2, 5F6, and 7A9, and determined their in vivo efficacies against intranasal challenge with WU2, a serotype 3 pneumococcal strain, in normal and immunodeficient mice. The MAbs had different in vitro activities in a pneumococcal killing assay: 7A9 enhanced killing by mouse neutrophils and J774 cells in the presence of a complement source, whereas 5F6 promoted killing in the absence, but not the presence, of complement, and 1E2 did not promote killing under any conditions. Nonetheless, all three MAbs protected normal and complement component 3-deficient mice from a lethal intranasal challenge with WU2 in passive-immunization experiments in which 10 μg of the MAbs were administered intraperitoneally before intranasal challenge. In contrast, only 1E2 protected Fcγ receptor IIB knockout (FcγRIIB KO) mice and mice that were depleted of neutrophils with the MAb RB6, whereas 7A9 and 5F6 required neutrophils and FcγRIIB to mediate protection. Conversely, 7A9 and 5F6 protected FcγR KO mice, but 1E2 did not. Hence, the efficacy of 1E2 required an activating FcγR(s), whereas 5F6 and 7A9 required the inhibitory FcγR (FcγRIIB). Taken together, our data demonstrate that both MAbs that do and do not promote pneumococcal killing in vitro can mediate protection in vivo, although their efficacies depend on different host receptors and/or components.
Transcriptional Regulation of bcl-2 Mediated by the Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway through gli-1*

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) express high levels of the antiapoptotic proto-oncogene, bcl-2, and we have shown that bcl-2 contributes to the malignant phenotype in a transgenic mouse model. The basis of bcl-2 transcriptional regulation in keratinocytes is unknown. The sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is frequently altered in BCCs. Mediators of shh signaling include the downstream transactivator, gli-1, and transrepressor, gli-3. Seven candidate gli binding sites were identified in the bcl-2 promoter. Cotransfection of increasing amounts of gli-1 in keratinoycytes resulted in a corresponding dose-dependent increase in bcl-2 promoter luciferase activity. Gli-1 was also able to up-regulate endogenous bcl-2. Gli-3 cotransfection resulted in no significant changes in bcl-2 promoter activity compared with control. Gli-3 has been demonstrated to be proteolytically processed into an N-terminal repressive form that can inhibit downstream transactivation by gli-1. Gli-3 mutants possessing only the N-terminal region or the C-terminal region were made and used in luciferase assays. The N terminus of gli-3 inhibited gli-1 transactivation of the bcl-2 promoter. Gel shift analysis and luciferase assays demonstrated that gli binding site 4 (-428 to -420), is important for gli transcriptional regulation. Skin samples from transgenic mice expressing an RU486 gli-1 transgene exhibited significantly higher levels of endogenous bcl-2 protein in epidermal keratinocytes as assessed by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Together, these findings provide consistent evidence that gli proteins can transcriptionally regulate the bcl-2 promoter and that gli-3 can inhibit transactivation by gli-1. These studies further suggest that one consequence of the deregulation of shh signaling in BCC is the up-regulation of bcl-2.
Default Risk, Debt Maturity and Levered Equity's Risk Shifting Incentives

This article addresses the limited empirical evidence on risk-shifting behavior in industrial firms, by focusing directly on asset volatilities implied from the U.S. equity market. These are inferred using the iterative algorithm of Moody's KMV and the Leland & Toft (1996) model. Indeed, Leland & Toft (1996) relate key variables relevant for the equityholders' risk incentives, and allow for intermediate financial distress, bankruptcy costs and tax shields. Hypotheses on risk-shifting and risk-avoidance are carefully derived from the model, with a special emphasis on the role of default risk and debt maturity. The results strongly indicate, that firms with a high default risk or leverage subsequently risk-shift relative to their industry peers. In addition, we find firms with an intermediate level of distress to risk-avoid. Some evidence indicates, that long debt maturity makes asset volatility increases more pronounced for firms close to the default barrier. However, the additional increase is larger for firms with the shortest debt maturity. Indeed, these firms are more default risky.
Influence of Energy Balance and Glycemic Index on Metabolic Endotoxemia in Healthy Men

Objective: Overfeeding with a high-fat and/or high-carbohydrate (CHO) diet is known to increase plasma concentrations of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) that may lead to metabolic disturbances like insulin resistance. The impact of CHO quality (i.e., the glycemic index [GI]) independent of fat intake on metabolic endotoxemia remains unclear. In the present study, the effects of changes in energy balance and GI on plasma endotoxin were studied. Methods: Fifteen healthy young men overconsumed diets containing 65% CHO and 20% fat for 1 week (OF; +50% of energy requirement) followed by 3 weeks of caloric restriction (CR; −50% of energy requirement) and were then randomized to 2 weeks hypercaloric refeeding (RF, +50% of energy requirement) with either a low- or high-GI (40 vs 74) diet. Results: During OF, subjects gained 1.9 ± 0.7 kg body weight (+0.6 ± 0.8% fat mass) followed by a weight loss of 6.1 ± 0.8 kg (−2.0 ± 0.6% fat mass) and weight regain of 4.0 ± 0.6 kg (0.9 ± 0.8% fat mass). Fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance (HOMAIR) increased with OF and RF and decreased with CR, MatsudaISI decreased by 37% after RF (all p < 0.05). Endotoxin significantly increased by 30.8% with OF and by 24.7% with RF (both p < 0.05), whereas CR normalized endotoxin levels. No difference in endotoxin levels was observed between refeeding a hypercaloric high- or low-GI diet. Changes in endotoxin levels with RF were not related to changes in insulin sensitivity. Conclusion: A hypercaloric diet (OF and RF) increased plasma endotoxin irrespective of GI, whereas a negative energy balance did not reduce endotoxemia. Impaired insulin sensitivity with hypercaloric refeeding on a high-GI diet was not explained by metabolic endotoxemia.
Psychopathology Among Adults Abused During Childhood or Adolescence: Results From the Israel-Based World Mental Health Survey

Childhood and adolescence abuse is a risk factor for later psychopathology. We examined the association between the age when sexual (SA) and physical (PA) abuse first occurred and mood and anxiety disorders and their respective age of onset, emotional distress, and sleep disturbances. Data were gathered from the Israel-based component of the World Mental Health Survey (N = 4859). Abuse was elicited by direct questions. Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, emotional distress with the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, and sleep disturbances by self-report. Multivariate analyses indicated an increased risk for psychopathology among subjects who reported childhood SA and PA. SA was associated with lifetime mood (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7) and anxiety (OR = 2.3) disorders; PA with lifetime anxiety disorder (OR = 2.8); and any abuse with increased risk for lifetime mood (OR = 1.7) and 12-month anxiety disorders (OR = 1.8). Earlier onset of SA or PA was associated with increased risk for later psychopathology.
Clonazepam as a therapeutic adjunct to improve the management of depression: a brief review

Clonazepam, first used for seizure disorders, is now increasingly used to treat affective disorders. We summarize the use of clonazepam to improve the management of depression. Clonazepam is useful for treatment‐resistant and/or protracted depression, as well as for acceleration of response to conventional antidepressants. Clonazepam is at this time recommended for use in combination with SSRIs (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline) as an antidepressant, and should be used at a dosage of 2.5–6.0 mg/day. If clonazepam is effective, a response should be observed within 2–4 weeks. It is significantly more effective for unipolar than for bipolar depression. Low‐dose, long‐term treatment with clonazepam exhibits a prophylactic effect against recurrence of depression. Although the mechanism of action of clonazepam has not yet been established, some investigators have been suggested that it involves enhancement of anti‐anxiety effects, anticonvulsant effects on subclinical epilepsy, increase in 5‐HT/monoamine synthesis or decrease in 5‐HT receptor sensitivity mediated through the GABA system, and regulate in GABA activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Location Decision of Foreign Direct Investment: The Role of Environmental Policy and Natural Resources

This paper examines whether lax environmental policy and abundant natural resources both attract foreign direct investment (FDI). At first, their potential effects are discussed using arguments from the pollution haven hypothesis and the natural resource curse. Using cross-country Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regressions and robustness checks like Instrumental Variable Two-Stage Least Squares (IV-2SLS), it was observed that foreign firms prefer to locate in countries that are resource-abundant or resource export-dependent. Inward FDI also tend to be directed toward countries with relatively stricter environmental regulations.
Culture and Positive Illusions in Close Relationships: How My Relationships Are Better than Yours

Although routinely observed among North Americans, self-enhancing biases have been elusive in studies conducted with Japanese. The authors conducted two studies of relationship-serving biases (RSBs) with Japanese, Asian Canadian, and European Canadian participants. In both studies, members of all three cultural groups viewed their own relationships (with their best friend, their closest family member, and their romantic partner) as more positive than those of their peers, and to roughly the same extent. Of importance, however, (a) RSBs were largely uncorrelated with both self-esteem and self-serving biases and (b) Japanese (but not the other two cultural groups’) RSBs were paralleled by tendencies to view their relationship partners more positively than themselves. The authors suggest that relationship enhancement serves a different function than self-enhancement, aiding the individual’s quest for connection and belongingness with others.
Differential fertility of adopted schizophrenics and their half‐siblings

The paper presents data on the differential fertility of schizophrenics and controls, and the fertility of their siblings. This study used several methodological procedures in the study of schizophrenia reproduction, which strengthens the validity of the findings. Firstly, both male and female rates were examined. Secondly, the method of selection of a control avoided the biases introduced by using census data or other non‐matched controls. Third, a diagnostic criterion was used which minimizes the possibility of the inclusion of other psychiatric illnesses.
Net Working : Work Patterns and Workforce Policies for the New Media Industry

This report, based on a study of a group of highly accomplished professionals in New York City, is one of the first to take up labor market issues in the new media industry. It describes the challenges faced by professionals and employers alike in this important and dynamic sector, and identifies strategies for success in a project oriented environment with highly complex skill demands and rapidly changing technology. Our findings suggest three central issues.
Accounting for Assets Impairment: Creative Impairment Strategy on Discount Rate Disclosure

Discount rates selection represent a centrally material factor impacting in goodwill valuation decisions. This study examines the consistency of opportunistic behavior in documenting the variances between discount rates used by companies and independently generated estimates of company specific, risk-adjusted discount rates. This study examines the selection of 20 top listed companies on Bursa Malaysia that have released their 2010 and 2011 annual reports with reported goodwill and analyzed using the CAPM and goodwill intensity. The dominant pattern was for observed discount rates to be lower rather than higher than the estimated value, with 15 (75%) companies of the 20 both in 2010 and 2011 in excess of 150 bps lower than independent risk-adjusted estimate. Therefore, the data provided evidence of the use of aggressively low discount rates, with the result that CGU asset portfolio recoverable amount values will have been overestimated and potential goodwill impairment losses deferred or avoided.
Pacemaker Lead Infection in Young Patients

Transvenous pacing has become widespread in the pediatric population, but related pacemaker lead infection in young patients has rarely been reported. To determine prevalence and optimal management of pacemaker lead infection in children and young adults, the authors reviewed their pacing database including 4,476 patients who previously had pacemaker implantations from 1975 to 2001. A pacemaker was implanted in 304 patients under the age of 40. Of these patients 217 of them had congenital heart disease: 108 with structural defect, 109 without (mainly complete AV blocks). Among patients with congenital heart disease, 12 developed a pacemaker lead infection (5.5%, 6 patients with structural defect, 6 without). This incidence was significantly higher than in patients < 40 years at first implantation without congenital heart disease (2.3%) and in > 40‐year‐old patients (1.2%, P < 0.001) . However, the number of reinterventions at the pulse generator site was higher in patients having had their first implantation before the age of 40. In patients with structural cardiac defect: two died after surgical lead extraction and one died before the scheduled lead extraction. The three remaining patients had successful surgical (n = 1) or percutaneous (n = 2) lead extractions. In patients without structural cardiac defect successful percutaneous extraction (5/6) or surgical extraction (1/6 with vegetation > 25 mm) was performed. One patient with percutaneous extraction developed chronic cor pulmonale during follow‐up. One infection recurred in one patient with structural cardiac defect although complete removal of the pacing material had been performed. The prevalence of pacemaker lead infection is higher in younger patients, perhaps in part due to a higher number of procedures at the pacemaker site than in the general population of patients with a pacemaker. Patients with structural cardiac defect who underwent surgical lead removal were at high risk for death. Patients with percutaneous lead extraction may develop cor pulmonale. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. I]:1489–1493)
Enabling knowledge communication between companies : the role of integration mechanisms in product development collaborations

“Enabling Knowledge Communication between Companies” is essential for creating competitive advantage from collaborations. Communicating knowledge is about the capacity to e.g. transfer knowledge, create learning and design new technology. It is an issue of increasing importance to many companies whose operations are outsourced, offshored and integrated with alliance partners. This book addresses the type of collaboration that perhaps is the most challenging to manage – the development of new and complex products between companies. Collaboration on product development is attractive to many companies because of opportunities to share costs, distribute risks and enhance innovation potential. Achieving the goals of such collaborations is often hard because of difficulties with knowledge communication. The book identies issues that are critical for enabling knowledge communication between companies, including: The role of work integration between collaborating companies. The type of location suitable for different kinds of product development between companies. The managing of differences in companies’ perspectives on product technology and development processes. If you are in a position of leading, planning or analysing advanced collaboration with other companies, you should benefit from this study. It is intended for both researchers and managers dealing with operations between the company and its external network of partners, suppliers and customers.
Tropomyosin Exon 6b Is Troponin-specific and Required for Correct Acto-myosin Regulation*

The specificity of tropomyosin (Tm) exon 6b for interaction with and functioning of troponin (Tn) has been studied using recombinant fibroblast Tm isoforms 5a and 5b. These isoforms differ internally by exons 6a/6b and possess non-muscle exons 1b/9d at the termini, hence they lack the primary TnT1-tropomyosin interaction, allowing study of exon 6 exchange in isolation from this. Using kinetic techniques to measure regulation of myosin S1 binding to actin and fluorescently labeled Tm to directly measure Tn binding, we show that binding of Tn to both isoforms is similar (0.1–0.5 μm) and both produce well regulated systems. Calcium has little effect on Tn binding to the actin·Tm complex and both exons produce a 3-fold reduction in the S1 binding rate to actin·Tm·Tn in its absence. This confirms previous results that show exon 6 has little influence on Tn affinity to actin·Tm or its ability to fully inhibit the acto-myosin interaction. Thin filaments reconstituted with Tn and Tm5a or skeletal Tm (containing exon 6b) show nearly identical calcium dependence of acto-myosin regulation. However, Tm5b produces a dramatic increase in calcium sensitivity, shifting the activation mid-point by almost an order of magnitude. This shows that exon 6 sequence and, hence, Tm structure in this region have a significant effect upon the calcium regulation of Tn. This finding supports evidence that familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutations occurring adjacent to this region can effect calcium regulation.
Optimal Incentives to Foster Cross Selling:An Economic Analysis

Cross selling is the practice of selling additional products to an existing customer. It has the potential to boost revenues and can be beneficial for both the company and the customer. For many multi-divisional companies with product or service oriented organizational structures the attempt to realize the benefits of cross selling generates incentive problems. In this thesis, three problems spread over three business levels are identified. Firstly, management needs to (financially) motivate business units in fostering their cross selling efforts. Secondly, in order to make cross selling happen, business units need to cooperate and to exchange product-related information. Finally, in order to increase their short-term benefits business units might act opportunistically by selling products or services of other business units without paying attention to adding value for their customers. These incentive problems are theoretically examined by applying principal-agent theory and the theory of repeated games. Our findings suggest that an optimized incentive structure is required to make both the business units and the management better off. The thesis also analyses the circumstances and necessary prerequisites under which cross selling initiatives are beneficial for all involved parties. Apart from that cross selling sometimes may turn out to be non-beneficial. In addition to the elaborations above, risks and hazards of cross selling are presented in detail and applied for the extension of the underlying model. Bottom line, the work underlines that cross selling is to be realized holistically to ensure durable success. (author's abstract)
Renewing Labour Market Institutions.

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LABOUR STUDIES Simon Deakin has been the Robert Monks Professor of Corporate Governance in the University of Cambridge since the autumn of 2001. At Cambridge he currently teaches corporate governance and institutional economics in the Judge Institute of Management, and labour law and private law in the Faculty of Law. He has also taught at the Universities of Chicago, London (Queen Mary and Westfield College), Nantes and Melbourne. Since 1994 he has directed a programme of interdisciplinary research in corporate governance at the ESRC Centre for Business Research in Cambridge. He was educated at Cambridge where he completed an undergraduate degree in Law and a Ph.D. thesis on the evolution of the contract of employment. He has published extensively on the economic and social impact of labour and company law. He is the author of Labour Law (with Gillian Morris) and Tort Law (with Basil Markesinis), and editor of Systems of Production (with Brendan Burchell, Jonathan Michie and Jill Rubery) Contracts, Cooperation and Competition (with Jonathan Michie) and Enterprise and Community (with Alan Hughes). He serves on editorial boards for the Cambridge Journal of Economics, the Industrial Law Journal, the Industrial Relations Journal and the Journal of Corporate Law Studies.
Pressure stability of proteins.

The stability of proteins toward temperature has been explored in much detail since the time that proteins were characterized as chemicals of constant composition, but the study of the effects of pressure upon pro­ teins is much more recent and has been much less frequent than that of temperature. However, there is every reason to expect that the effects of pressure would be more amenable to interpretation than those of tem­ perature: An increase in temperature changes both the energy content and the volume of the system, and because proteins are flexible polymers that maintain secondary, tertiary, and quatenary structure by bonds of strengths not much larger than the thermal energy, the internal interactions of the protein are changed by temperature in ways that cannot be easily foreseen. On the other hand, application of pressure affects internal inter­ actions exclusively by the changes in the distances (volumes) of the com­ ponents, whereas the total energy of the system remains almost constant. Hence, observations of pressure effects ought to precede those of tem­ perature in order to facilitate the interpretation of the more involved effects of the latter variable.