Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric Innovation Agreements Under Environmental Regulation

In a domestic market, a duopoly produces a homogeneous final good, pollution, pollution abatement and R&D. One of the firms (foreign) has superior technology. The government regulates the duopoly by levying a pollution tax to maximize domestic welfare. We consider the potential implementation of three innovation agreements: cooperative research joint venture (RJV), non-cooperative RJV and licensing. In the cooperative (non-cooperative) RJV, the firms (do not) internalize R&D spillovers. We show that, for the domestic firm, the cooperative RJV dominates and licensing is the least desirable alternative. Although licensing is dominant for the foreign firm, it is not implementable. Both RJVs are implementable. While the non-cooperative RJV is more likely the greater the degrees of asymmetry (in terms of efficiency and R&D spillover rates) between the firms, the cooperative RJV is more likely the lower the degrees of asymmetry. Implementation of both types of RJVs improve the competitiveness of the domestic firm and welfare. A subsidy policy that induces the foreign firm to accept a feasible cooperative RJV when it strictly prefers a feasible non-cooperative RJV is always welfare improving.
TLR3–Responsive, XCR1+, CD141(BDCA-3)+/CD8α+-Equivalent Dendritic Cells Uncovered in Healthy and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Rhesus Macaques

In mice, CD8α+ myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) optimally cross-present Ags to CD8+ T cells and respond strongly to TLR3 ligands. Although equivalent DC have been identified by comparative genomic analysis and functional studies in humans as XCR1+CD141 (BDCA-3)+Clec9A+cell adhesion molecule 1+ mDC, and in sheep as CD26+ mDC, these cells remained elusive in nonhuman primates. To remedy this situation, we delineated precisely DC and monocyte populations by 12-color flow cytometry and transcriptomic analyses in healthy rhesus macaques. We identified a new mDC population, with strong phenotypic and transcriptional homology to human CD141+ and murine CD8α+ mDC, including XCR1 membrane expression as a conserved specific marker. In contrast, high CD11c expression was not characteristic of mDC in macaques, but of CD16+ monocytes. Like their human and murine homologs, simian XCR1+ mDC had much stronger responses to TLR3 stimulation than other myeloid cells. The importance of this new mDC population was tested in SIVmac251 infection, the most relevant animal model for pathogenic HIV-1 infection and vaccination. This population increased sharply and transiently during acute infection, but was reduced in blood and spleen during advanced disease. The identification of XCR1+ mDC in rhesus macaques opens new avenues for future preclinical vaccinal studies and highlights XCR1 as a prime candidate for targeted vaccine delivery.
Graphene based coatings for corrosion protection

Nickel-coating on stainless steel enhances its short term anti-corrosion properties. Multi-layer graphene film on steel enhances long-term corrosion resistance. The effect of nickel in corrosion resistance of graphene/nickel/steel is important. Accelerated reaction kinetics are used to simulate effect of longer exposures. a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 24 March 2015 Received in revised form 15 May 2015 Accepted 2 June 2015 Available online 12 June 2015
Therapeutic drug monitoring of gentamicin in patients with bronchopneumonia: cost considerations and patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVE In Malaysia, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) service started in the late 1980s. Serum concentration measurements depend on commercially available drug assays, which are costly. In the present study, we attempted to document the impact of TDM service on cost and patient outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed the medical records of the patients who were admitted to the hospital over a five-year period, diagnosed with bronchopneumonia and treated with gentamicin. Outcome measures were duration of fever, incidence of nephrotoxicity and length of hospital stay. We calculated the costs of laboratory and clinical investigations, the costs associated with the administration of gentamicin doses, the cost of providing TDM services, the costs associated with medical care by professional staff and the costs of hospital stays during gentamicin treatment. RESULTS Sixty-six patients were found to meet the inclusion criteria (10 patients were provided with TDM service and 56 patients were not). There was no significant difference in the duration of fever or the length of hospital stay during gentamicin therapy between the two groups. Although serum creatinine levels were not checked in all of the patients after gentamicin therapy, the data analysis did not show any cases of nephrotoxicity. There was no significant difference in the costs of laboratory investigations, the total cost of gentamicin therapy and the costs associated with professional staff between the two groups. The cost of the hospital stay during gentamicin therapy and the total cost of hospitalization were significantly higher in the TDM group. CONCLUSION Evaluation in patients with bronchopneumonia shows that TDM in our setting was associated with higher cost; however, we did not observe any significant differences in the clinical outcomes.
Forkhead factor FoxO1 is essential for placental morphogenesis in the developing embryo

Forkhead box O1 (FoxO1), a member of the Forkhead box-containing O family of transcription factors, is a key regulator of numerous genes that govern a wide array of cellular functions, including differentiation, homeostasis, and survival. However, the role of FoxO1 in development remains elusive. Here, we describe an essential and previously undefined role for FoxO1 in placental development. We demonstrate that FoxO1-null embryos up to embryonic day 9.0 (E9.0) are indistinguishable, including their morphology, cardiovascular structure, and vascular gene expression, from wild-type (WT) littermates. However, FoxO1-nulls manifested a profoundly swollen/hydropic allantois, which failed to fuse with the chorion, a phenotype that leads to subsequent cardiovascular malformation, progressive apoptotic cell death, and embryonic lethality at E10.5. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of genes involved in placental development revealed significant attenuation of VCAM1 expression in FoxO1-null embryos. Using immunohistochemical, transcriptional, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we further discovered that FoxO1 is an essential upstream regulator of the VCAM1 gene. Collectively, our findings provide critical molecular insight into a unique FoxO1–VCAM1 axis that governs placental morphogenesis, a process that is essential for subsequent normal cardiovascular development and fetal life.
The Relationship between Epistemological Beliefs and Attitudes towards Science of Undergraduate Elementary Education Majors

Much of the educational research that has investigated the attitudes of pre-service elementary educators towards science has seemed to show that their attitudes are negative towards science. Research also indicates that factors of gender, perceived competence, anxiety, perceived relation to their lives, and epistemological beliefs are related to pre-service elementary educators’ attitudes towards science. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between epistemological beliefs of undergraduate elementary education majors at a large, private, faithbased university in the southeastern United States and their attitudes towards science. Schraw’s Epistemological Beliefs Inventory (EBI) (Schraw, Bendixen, & Dunkle, 2002) was used to measure the epistemological beliefs of undergraduate elementary education majors. Cobern’s Thinking About Science Survey Instrument-v2 (TSSI-v2) (Cobern, 2005) was used to measure attitudes toward science. A random convenience sample of residential, full-time undergraduate elementary education majors of traditional age (under 25 years of age) was obtained. A quantitative correlation design was used for this study. Spearman’s rho statistical test was used to test the hypotheses.
Comparison of completely versus incompletely excised cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas.

INTRODUCTION This is a retrospective case series of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) which were incompletely excised in National Skin Centre, Singapore from 1991 to 1995. This study compared the characteristics of completely excised versus incompletely excised cutaneous SCCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS All patients with histologically confirmed SCCs were traced from computerised medical database and information regarding patient profile, tumour characteristics, surgical treatment and outcome were collated. All patients were recalled for clinical examination and documentation of cure. Completely excised and incompletely excised SCCs were compared with regards to the patient and tumour characteristics. RESULTS There were 57 patients with 63 SCCs who were treated with surgical excision over the 5-year period. Fifty were recalled for physical examination. There were 30 males and 27 females and their mean age was 83.3 years. All except 1 were Chinese of Fitzpatrick skin type 4. One-third of patients had daily or weekly sun exposure in the past and 21.1% had occupational sun exposure; 3.5% had prior arsenic exposure and 3.5% were previously treated with radiotherapy for other malignancies. The mean duration of SCCs was 18.7 months; 7.9% of patients had multiple SCCs and 15.9% had underlying actinic keratoses. The mean diameter of the tumours was 1.97 cm and nearly half were located on the head and neck. All the SCCs were primary and localised to the skin; 84.1% of them were completely excised with a 4 to 6 mm margin. Incompletely excised SCCs were associated with the male sex, larger tumours and tumours on the genitals and lower limbs. CONCLUSION In our experience, the tumour clearance rate is 84.1% following conventional excision. Incomplete excision is associated with male sex, larger tumours and those on the genitals and lower limbs.
Is There a Debt Service Channel of Monetary Transmission?

Previous research has explored the impact of private sector debt service ratios (DSRs), ie debt payments relative to income, on medium-term macroeconomic outcomes. This special feature, based on a study of 18 economies, finds that monetary policy shocks, in turn, have a significant impact on DSRs. We show that a monetary tightening leads to a significant and persistent increase in DSRs, with higher effective lending rates on the stock of debt outweighing a decline in the debt-to-income ratio. Moreover, the impact of monetary policy shocks on DSRs, as well as on economic activity, the price level, house prices and credit, turns out to be significantly larger in high-debt economies. These findings point to the existence of a debt service channel of monetary transmission.
Regulation of Na+/H+ exchange in rat adipocytes; effects of insulin.

The activity of the Na+/H+ exchanger was examined by acidifying the intracellular pH (pHi) with Na+ propionate (NaP) and monitoring the recovery in the absence of HCO3- in rat adipocytes. Acidification of pHi, monitored with 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, decreased the resting pHi from 7.25 +/- 0.01 to 6.70 +/- 0.01. A spontaneous pHi recovery to 6.90 +/- 0.02 was inhibited by 300 microM amiloride. This effect was Na+ specific, as recovery did not occur in cells exposed to K+ propionate (KP). The addition of NaCl (30 mM) to KP induced pHi alkalinization. Acidification of pHi increased 22Na+ transport from 0.60 +/- 0.12 nmol/10(5) cells.min at resting pHi to 2.893 +/- 0.129 (P < 0.001) and 7.984 +/- 0.312 (P < 0.001) in the first and tenth minutes, respectively. Amiloride inhibited this 5- and 14-fold stimulation by 85% (P < 0.001). Insulin in the presence of 100 microM ouabain stimulated Na+ influx by more than 15% (P < 0.01). Ethylisopropylamiloride (10 microM) inhibited the effect of insulin by 85% (P < 0.001). Intracellular Na+, measured with a Na(+)-specific electrode, increased by 10-fold in acid-loaded cells compared to that in Na(+)-depleted cells (10.750 +/- 0.479 vs. 1.045 +/- 0.100 mM; P < 0.001). Amiloride decreased NaP-stimulated intracellular Na+ by 82% (P < 0.001). To our knowledge, this is the first report showing the presence of an insulin-responsive and amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ exchanger that regulates pHi by a Na(+)-specific and pHi-dependent mechanism in rat adipocytes.
Comparison of the detection of herpes simplex virus in direct clinical specimens with herpes simplex virus-specific DNA probes and monoclonal antibodies

A comparison of two commercially available kits for rapid herpes simplex virus (HSV) detection directly in patient specimens was performed. The immunofluorescence assay (IFA) utilized monoclonal antibodies to HSV, and the DNA probe assay utilized three HSV sequences cloned into pBR322. A sample of 243 specimens received in viral transport medium were inoculated into MRC-5 tissue cultures. The remainder of the specimen was centrifuged, and the cellular pellet was examined by IFA and DNA probes. One hundred and sixty-two (66.7%) specimens were considered satisfactory for IFA and DNA probe testing, based on a criterion of observing greater than or equal to 2 intact cells per high-power field. Of the 162 specimens, 35 (21.6%) yielded HSV by culture. By IFA, the sensitivity of detecting HSV culture-positive specimens was 77.1%; specificity was 100%, positive predictive value was 100%, and negative predictive value was 93.3%. DNA probe sensitivity was 71.4%; specificity was 90.6%; positive predictive value was 67.6%; and negative predictive value was 92%. Forty-four (27.2%) of the 162 specimens exhibited nonspecific cytoplasmic staining with the DNA probe. IFA and DNA probe assays can be completed in 2 to 3 h, whereas the average time to culture positivity in this series was 2.2 days. Rapid HSV diagnosis can aid in timely and appropriate patient management.
Association of gender and survival in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND During the last 5 years, many studies have produced conflicting results concerning the survival of women hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). OBJECTIVE To determine if gender is associated with hospital mortality and long-term survival in individuals with AMI. METHODS This prospective study included 4255 consecutive women (34%) and 8076 (66%) men who developed AMI in 19 Seattle, Wash, area hospitals between January 1988 and June 1994. Key information was abstracted from hospital records and entered in the Myocardial Infarction Triage and Intervention registry database. In addition, data concerning survival and rehospitalization were obtained from the state of Washington and linked to the Myocardial Infarction Triage and Intervention registry. RESULTS In comparison with men, women were 8 years older, more often had history of congestive heart failure, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus, and less often had history of myocardial infarction or coronary surgery. During hospitalization, women were less likely to undergo coronary angiography, thrombolytic therapy, coronary angioplasty, or bypass surgery. After adjustment for covariates, women were 20% more likely to die in the hospital (odds ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.39), yet long-term survival was similar in the 2 groups (hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-1.05). The use of thrombolytic therapy or revascularization during the index hospitalization did not change the association between gender and survival. CONCLUSIONS All things being equal, women with AMI were more likely to die in the hospital, yet survival after hospital discharge did not differ according to gender. Appropriate treatment to reduce hospital mortality in women is needed.
Perception of an Illusory Triangle with Masked Inducing Figure

Subjects viewed the Kanizsa triangle under conditions of visual masking. Depending on the type of mask employed, the triangle could be perceived when the inducing discs were not phenomenally present, or the discs could be seen with the triangle not present. These findings suggest that no single set of mechanisms, physiological or cognitive, will suffice to explain perception of the illusory triangle.
Can management-sponsored non-binding remuneration votes shape the executive compensation structure? Evidence from Say-on-Pay votes in Germany

ABSTRACT In this paper, a hand-selected sample of 1676 annual general meetings with 268 management-sponsored Say-on-Pay votes in 164 different companies between 2010 and 2015 in the German two-tier system was analysed. The analysis focused on the structure, rather than the level, of executive compensation by applying a sample-selection model and panel data regression. Consistent with our hypotheses, shareholders favour long-term stock and stock option plans but oppose short-term cash-bonus payments. However, the positive effect of equity compensation decreases as the share of the total remuneration increases, suggesting that the alignment effect is limited. The negative effect of bonus payments on the voting results is stronger in cases in which the voting approval of the supervisory board is low. Thus, investors who are discontent with the bonus payments eventually punish the supervisory board in charge of negotiating the contract. The supervisory board reacts to such cases by reducing the bonuses and increasing the equity payments in the following year, but the total compensation or fixed annual salary is unaffected. Hence, Say-on-Pay in Germany affects the structure but not the level of compensation. The results show that shareholders assess the entire compensation structure and prefer a particular compensation mix. However, non-binding Say-on-Pay votes help to establish compensation schemes that are favoured by shareholders.
Stakeholder Perspectives on a Culture of Health: Key Findings.

Since 2013, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has embarked on a pioneering effort to advance a Culture of Health. The Culture of Health action framework is founded on a vision in which "everyone in our diverse society leads healthier lives now and for generations to come. " To put the Culture of Health vision into action, RWJF asked RAND Health to support the development of an action framework and measurement strategy. This article summarizes the stakeholder engagement efforts that RAND used to inform this work. It draws on a series of interviews and focus groups that RAND researchers conducted with stakeholders both within and outside the United States. It should be of interest to RWJF, as well as to those individuals and organizations interested in advancing the Culture of Health action framework. Given that RWJF is focused on using the Culture of Health action framework and measures to catalyze national dialogue about content and investments to improve population health and well-being, the study should be beneficial to a range of national, state, and local leaders across a variety of sectors that contribute to health as described by the Culture of Health action framework.
Satellite attitude active FTC based on Geometric Approach and RBF Neural Network

This paper proposes a novel satellite attitude Active Fault Tolerant Control System. The Active Fault Tolerant Control System is based on a Fault Detection and Diagnosis module providing fault estimates decoupled from the aerodynamic disturbance thanks to the application of the NonLinear Geometric Approach. The diagnosis module is a bank of adaptive filters based on a Radial Basis Function Neural Network. The controller reconfiguration exploits directly the on-line estimates of the fault signals. To the authors' knowledge, the joint use of the NonLinear Geometric Approach and Radial Basis Function Neural Network is not present in literature. The use of a Radial Basis Function Neural Network allows to design generalized fault estimation filters which do not need any a priori information about the fault internal model. The use of the NonLinear Geometric Approach allows to obtain very accurate fault estimates, independently from the knowledge of the aerodynamic disturbance parameters. Extensive simulation results based on a detailed nonlinear satellite attitude model embedding disturbance description are given. The obtained results highlight that the proposed satellite Active Fault Tolerant Control System can deal with reaction wheel faults of different types (i.e. step faults, ramp faults, sinusoidal faults) thus obtaining good attitude control performances.
Staying at work and living with MS: a qualitative study of the impact of a vocational rehabilitation intervention

Abstract Objective: This study examines the impact of a patient designed occupational therapy led vocational rehabilitation (VR) intervention on the experiences of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were experiencing work instability. We used qualitative in-depth interviews to gain insight into participants’ experiences of the intervention and identify the aspects that were most helpful from the participants’ perspectives. Design: We conducted interviews with 19 participants 2–8 weeks after the completion of their VR intervention. In these interviews, the participants were asked to describe the processes of the intervention and the influence of these on their work and MS. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and data analysis involved coding and the use of the constant comparative method to develop themes. Results: We identified five major themes related to the impact of the intervention on “understanding my symptoms and their management in the workplace”, “removing my anxieties”, “understanding and influencing my employer”, “managing my loss of confidence” and “having professional support”. Conclusions: The VR intervention was valued by people with MS who felt that after the intervention they had a greater understanding of disease related, work related and personal factors that impacted on their ability to work and they were supported to manage these by a skilled professional. The themes identified in this study help gain insight into the participants’ experience of the intervention and identify aspects that were most helpful from the participants’ perspectives. This information could be used to inform further research and service development. Implication for Rehabilitation Vocational rehabilitation can be effective in maintaining people with MS in their employment and help to remove some of the physical and emotional barriers that can develop. Employers and employees with MS must work together to effectively manage the MS in the workplace; a health professional can facilitate, support and encourage this dynamic process.