Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diversity in Returns to Education in Europe. The Empirical Importance of the Systems of the Regression Approach

The aim of the paper is the formal comparison of returns to education for a set of European countries. We apply the system of Seemingly Unrelated Regression Equations (SURE) to obtain the parameters of the Mincerian equations. The differences between the parameters were tested given two alternative stochastic assumptions. In the first model, no contemporaneous correlations between error terms in the system are imposed. In the second approach, the unrestricted covariance matrix is considered, making error terms stochastically dependent. The contemporaneous correlations of error terms in the SURE system were empirically supported. The rich parameterisation of the covariance matrix of contemporaneous relations reduced statistical uncertainty about differences in parameters describing return to education. Therefore, the country heterogeneity of return on education, which seems intuitively correct, was obtained in the system of regressions with a complex stochastic structure.
Tailoring Signs to Engage Two Distinct Types of Geotourists to Geological Sites

Interpretive signs are the silent ambassadors of geosites and serve a diverse audience. The primary aim of this study is to develop signs for geosites targeted at two unique groups of geotourists. A conceptual multidisciplinary geotourist typology is formulated to identify two main classes of geotourists comprising the audience. Latent and archetypal geotourists inhabit various roles at geotourism sites depending on their expectations for the event, affecting the visitor experience via fluid contextual factors. Principally, latent geotourists arrive seeking novel touristic experiences while archetypal geotourists seek knowledge-building opportunities. Because signs represent one fragment of the multi-dimensional visitor experience, an approach that offers a palette of options is advocated. After the unified typology to identify the audience is presented, a multi-layered technique that offers both interpretation and a link to augmented information on signs is suggested. Some best practices in sign design are described and preliminary plans for testing are shared. The author’s overriding goal is to refine the mechanics and format of signs to garner maximum attracting and holding power, ensuring that the message is read and the target outcome is achieved. By providing tools to visitors to geological sites that enable them to create narratives that are compatible with their expectations, we facilitate a multi-dimensional constructive experience that engages everyone.
DNA‐fragmentation and expression of apoptosis‐related proteins in muscular dystrophies

Although numerous sarcolemmal protein defects in muscular dystrophies have been identified, the mechanisms linking these defects and muscle fibre degeneration are not fully characterized. As there is evidence that apoptosis is part of muscle fibre loss in dystrophin‐deficient mdx‐mice, apoptotic muscle fibre death may also play a role in humans with muscular dystrophies. We investigated in‐situ DNA‐fragmentation by the TUNEL‐method and expression of apoptosis‐related proteins immunohistochemically in 14 children suffering from deficiencies of dystrophin, adhalin, and merosin, and found TUNEL‐positive chromatin‐cleavage of muscle fibre nuclei in about 10% of non‐necrotic muscle fibres. DNA‐fragmentation also occurred in groups of ‘necrotic and regenerating’ muscle fibres with labelling of nuclei in myogenic cells and phagocytizing macrophages. These lesions also revealed expression of apoptosis‐promoting factors, such as bax and ICE, inducing cleavage of myofilaments, and of the apoptosis‐inhibiting proteins bcl‐xL and bcl‐2 which neutralized high bax levels. Mimicking embryonal myogenesis, chromatin‐fragmentation in ‘necrotic and regenerating’ areas seems to be part of the regulating events in muscle regeneration to eliminate excessive proliferating satellite cells. Nevertheless, macrophages are also affected by apoptosis after successful removal of necrotic fibres. In humans, DNA‐fragmentation and expression of apoptosis‐related proteins indicate that apoptosis plays a role in muscle degeneration and regeneration in muscular dystrophies.
Serological Survey for Potential Disease Agents of Free-ranging Cervids in Six Selected National Parks from Germany

A total of 164 blood samples, collected from free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) in six German national parks (NP) between 2000 and 2002, were assayed for antibodies against nine viral disease agents. Antibodies were only detected against the α-herpesviruses; specifically, bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) (22 of 157, 14%), cervid herpesvirus-1 (17 of 157, 10.8%), and caprine herpesvirus-1 (11 of 159, 6.9%). Titers ranged from 4 to 102. Most of the seropositive sera, and those with the highest antibody titers, were from red and roe deer in the Harz and Hochharz NP, which are connected and allow migration between the two. The distribution and specificity of antibodies detected in individual deer suggests that the three α-herpesviruses are circulating in these deer populations. No antibodies were detected against bovine viral diarrhea virus, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, bovine leukemia virus, bluetongue virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus, or sheep and goat poxvirus.
Cities as leaders in EU multilevel climate governance: embedded upscaling of local experiments in Europe

ABSTRACT The success of local climate governance in Europe depends not only on leading cities but also on the dynamics between leaders, followers, and laggards. Upscaling local experiments helps to close the gap between these actors. This process is driven by the increasing embeddedness of cities and their networks in EU multilevel governance. Embedded upscaling combines horizontal upscaling between leading cities with vertical upscaling between leaders and followers that is mediated by higher levels of government, and hierarchical upscaling that even reaches the laggards. Various types of upscaling, their combinations, and their impacts are analyzed. Networks have become denser and networking has intensified. City networks and their member cities have become embedded in national and EU governance, lost authority and depend more and more on regional, national, and European authorities.
Evaluation of three imaging techniques for the detection of vertical root fractures in the absence and presence of gutta-percha root fillings.

AIM To compare the accuracy of digital radiography (DR), multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting vertical root fractures (VRF) in the absence and presence of gutta-percha root filling. METHODOLOGY The root canals of 100 extracted human single-rooted teeth were prepared and randomly divided into four groups: two experimental groups with artificially fractured root and two intact groups as controls. In one experimental and one control group, a size 40, 0.04 taper gutta-percha cone was inserted in the root canals. Then DR, MDCT and CBCT were performed and the images evaluated. Statistical analyses of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of each imaging technique in the presence and absence of gutta-percha were calculated and compared. RESULTS In the absence of gutta-percha, the specificity of DR, MDCT and CBCT was similar. CBCT was the most accurate and sensitive imaging technique (P < 0 .05). In the presence of gutta-percha, the accuracy of MDCT was higher than the other imaging techniques (P < 0.05). The sensitivity of CBCT and MDCT was significantly higher than that of DR (P < 0.05), whereas CBCT was the least specific technique. CONCLUSIONS Under the conditions of this ex vivo study, CBCT was the most sensitive imaging technique in detecting vertical root fracture. The presence of gutta-percha reduced the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of CBCT but not MDCT. The sensitivity of DR was reduced in the presence of gutta-percha. The use of MDCT as an alternative technique may be recommended when VRF are suspected in root filled teeth. However, as the radiation dose of MDCT is higher than CBCT, the technique could be considered at variance with the principles of ALARA.
Stress questionnaires and stress biomarkers during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE Both self-reported indicators of stress and hormones such as cortisol and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) have been examined in relation to preterm birth. Although these hormones have been interpreted as biomarkers of stress, it is unclear whether psychosocial measures are empirically associated with biomarkers of stress in pregnant women. METHODS We analyzed data from 1,587 North Carolina pregnant women enrolled in the Pregnancy, Infection,and Nutrition study during 2000-2004 who provided at least one saliva sample for cortisol measurement or blood samples for CRH at 14-19 and 24-29 weeks' gestation. Cortisol measures were limited to those taken between 8 and 10 a.m. Perceived stress, state-trait anxiety, coping style, life events, social support, and pregnancy-specific anxiety were measured by questionnaires and interviews. Spearman correlations and multiple regressions were used to describe the relationship among the measures of stress. RESULTS No correlations larger than r = 0.15 were seen between reported psychosocial measures and cortisol or CRH. Women with demographic characteristics associated with poor pregnancy outcomes (unmarried, African-American, young, low pre-pregnancy body mass index) reported higher levels of stress but did not consistently have higher levels of stress hormones. Pre-eclampsia was associated with higher CRH, but not with higher cortisol. CONCLUSIONS The relationship between measurements of reported stress and biomarkers is not straightforward in large epidemiological studies of pregnancy.
Can Starving Start‐ups Beat Fat Labs? A Bandit Model of Innovation with Endogenous Financing Constraint*

Is there any such thing as too much capital when it comes to the financing of innovative projects? We study a principal–agent model in which the principal chooses the scale of the experiment, and the agent privately observes the outcome realizations and can privately choose the novelty of the project. When the agent has private access to a safe but non‐innovative project, the principal starves the agent of funds to incentivize risk‐taking. The principal quickly scales up after early successes, and can tolerate early failures. If the principal is equally informed about the outcome, then the agent is well‐resourced, resembling a large research and development department.
Preanesthetic Cimetidine and Metoclopramide for Acid Aspiration Prophylaxis in Elective Surgery

&NA; The effect of preanesthetic cimetidinc and metoclopramide on gastric contents in inpatients undergoing elective surgery was studied. One hundred and fifty patients were allocated randomly into six groups with 25 patients in each group. Patients in Group 1 served as control. Group 2 patients received metoclopramide in the morning. Group 3 patients received cimetidine at bedtime and in the morning. Patients in Group 4 received cimetidine at bedtime and metoclopramide in the morning. Group 5 patients received cimetidine and metoclopramide in the morning, while patients in Group 6 received cimetidine at bedtime and metoclopramide and cimetidine in the morning. Cimetidine 300 mg and metoclopramide 10 mg were administered by mouth with a sip of water at bedtime or in the morning 1‐4 h prior to the induction of anesthesia. Patients with gastric pH ≤2.5 or gastric content volume ≥25 ml were defined to be at risk of pulmonary damage if aspiration should occur. In the control group the mean pH and volume of gastric contents were 2.89 and 22.3 ml, respectively, with 64% of patients with pH ≤2.5 and 32% of patients with volumes of ≥25 ml. Cimetidine and metoclopramide favorably modified the risk factors in all the experimental groups. This study demonstrated that the three groups receiving cimetidine in the morning (Groups 3, 5, and 6) had significantly greater mean gastric pH than the other groups. Gastric volumes were significantly less in all experimental groups. In Group 6, which received cimetidine in two doses and metoclopramide in the morning, the risk of aspiration pneumonitis theoretically was abolished, as the gastric pH was ≥5 and the gastric volume was ≤25 ml, in all the patients.
Building Resilient Food Systems: An Analytical Review

In this paper we undertake an analytical review of the extant literature on the building food system resilience. While the concept of food system resilience has become a topical issue in global and national policy discussion, there is little research on how to develop operational procedures to design and implement interventions from the food system and resilience perspective. This review identifies five major entry points to strengthen food system resilience in the national context: policy, institutions, technology, capacity, and governance. Measurement issues and analytical approaches to studying food system resilience are reviewed. We conclude that while there is a large gap in the methodological approaches to study the food system resilience, beginning with the case studies of understanding specific elements of a food system and their role in enhancing resilience would be good starting point for addressing thematic issues, challenges and constraints facing resilience of the food systems.
Human monkeypox, 1970-79.

Increasing attention has been given to human monkeypox since the achievement of global smallpox eradication. Monkeypox, which was first described in Central Africa in 1970, resembles smallpox clinically but differs from it epidemiologically. Forty-seven cases of human monkeypox have occurred since 1970 in 5 Central and West African countries; 38 of these cases have been reported from Zaire. The evolution of the illness and the sequelae of monkeypox and smallpox are the same; monkeypox has a case-fatality rate of about 17%. Children below 10 years of age comprise 83% of the cases. All cases have occurred in tropical rainforest areas and clustering of cases has been observed in certain zones within countries and within families. Person-to-person spread may have occurred in 4 cases; the secondary attack rate among susceptible, very close family members was 7.5% (3 cases/40 contacts) and among all susceptible contacts was 3.3% (4 cases/123 contacts)-much lower than the 25-40% secondary attack rate that occurs with smallpox. Although the low transmission rate and the low frequency of disease indicate that monkeypox is not a public health problem, more data are needed.Whilst many animals near human monkeypox cases have been demonstrated to have orthopoxvirus antibodies, the natural reservoir(s) and the vector(s) of monkeypox virus are unknown. Studies are in progress to identify the natural cycle of monkeypox virus and to define better the clinical and epidemiological features of this disease.
Gender differences in subtypes of late-onset depression and mania

Background: It is currently not known whether elderly men and women present with different subtypes of depression and mania/bipolar disorder. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of subtypes of a single depressive episode and mania/bipolar disorder according to the ICD-10 for elderly men and women in a nationwide sample of all out- and inpatients in psychiatric settings. Methods: All patients older than 65 years who received a diagnosis of a single depressive episode and mania/bipolar disorder in the period from 1994 to 2002 at the end of their first outpatient treatment or at their first discharge from psychiatric hospitalization in Denmark were identified in a nationwide register. Results: A total of 9837 patients aged more than 65 years received a diagnosis of a single depressive episode (69.9% were women) and 443 a diagnosis of mania/bipolar disorder (61.6% were women) at the end of their first contact with psychiatric health care. Slightly more women than men received a diagnosis of mild (70.8%) or moderate depression (67.4%) compared to severe depression (65.9%). Men more often presented with a single depressive episode with comorbid substance abuse or comorbid somatic illness. No gender differences were found in the prevalence of depression with or without melancholic or psychotic symptoms. Men more often presented with mania/bipolar disorder with comorbid substance abuse. Conclusions: The distributions of the subtypes of a single depressive episode or mania/bipolar disorder are remarkably similar for male and female patients aged over 65 years with first contact with the psychiatric health-care system.
BRG1 Interacts with Nrf2 To Selectively Mediate HO-1 Induction in Response to Oxidative Stress

ABSTRACT NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) regulates antioxidant-responsive element-mediated induction of cytoprotective genes in response to oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of BRG1, a catalytic subunit of SWI2/SNF2-like chromatin-remodeling complexes, in Nrf2-mediated gene expression. Small interfering RNA knockdown of BRG1 in SW480 cells selectively decreased inducible expression of the heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) gene after diethylmaleate treatment but did not affect other Nrf2 target genes, such as the gene encoding NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that Nrf2 recruits BRG1 to both HO-1 and NQO1 regulatory regions. However, BRG1 knockdown selectively decreased the recruitment of RNA polymerase II to the HO-1 promoter but not to the NQO1 promoter. HO-1, but not other Nrf2-regulated genes, harbors a sequence of TG repeats capable of forming Z-DNA with BRG1 assistance. Similarly, replacement of the TG repeats with an alternative Z-DNA-forming sequence led to BRG1-mediated activation of HO-1. These results thus demonstrate that BRG1, through the facilitation of Z-DNA formation and subsequent recruitment of RNA polymerase II, is critical in Nrf2-mediated inducible expression of HO-1.
Monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 stimulates the killing of Leishmania major by human monocytes, acts synergistically with IFN‐γ  and is antagonized by IL‐4

We recently demonstrated that monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1) is strongly expressed in lesions of patients with self‐healing localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) whereas it is scarce in those of chronic diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL). This finding indicated that MCP‐1 may contribute to the healing process. In the present study, we analyzed the capacity of MCP‐1 to trigger leishmanicidal activities. The results show that MCP‐1 directly stimulates the elimination of intracellular Leishmania parasites by human monocytes, a potential that correlates with the induction of reactive oxygen intermediates. Release of NO was not detected. To understand the cross‐talk between the chemokine and T cell‐associated cytokines, we studied the influence of the Th1 cytokine IFN‐γ and the Th2 cytokine IL‐4 on MCP‐1‐mediated activation of human monocytes. The data demonstrate that IFN‐γ and MCP‐1 synergistically activate monocytes to clear intracellular parasites, whereas IL‐4 abrogates the effect of MCP‐1. Furthermore, IL‐4 inhibits MCP‐1 expression by infected monocytes, a finding that may explain the lack of MCP‐1 in chronic lesions. The data suggest a novel model for macrophage activation in cutaneous leishmaniasis. In lesions of LCL, the synergistic action of MCP‐1 and IFN‐γ may stimulate the killing of parasites by macrophages and promote healing, whereas the presence of IL‐4 in DCL lesions may favor the suppression of MCP‐1 and, together with the lack of IFN‐γ, the progression of disease.
Ownership concentration and firm performance in Indian firms: does investor protection quality matter?

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to investigate the relationship between ownership concentration and firm performance and, second, to determine the moderating role of investor protection quality on the ownership concentration-performance relationship from a dynamic perspective. ,The study is based on secondary financial data of 236 Indian manufacturing firms obtained from CAPITALINE database, pertaining to a period of five years. This study uses ordinary least squares, fixed effects and two-step generalized method of moments (GMM) techniques to arrive at results. ,Results of the study confirm the inverted U-shaped relationship between ownership concentration and firm performance and a significant positive effect of investor protection quality on firm performance. With regard to moderating role of investor protection quality on ownership concentration–performance relationship, results show that investor protection quality would significantly moderate the ownership concentration–performance relationship. ,The study is a pioneer in proving that an inverted U-shaped relationship exists between ownership concentration and firm performance in an emerging market in general and India in particular. This study extends the corporate governance literature by examining ownership concentration–performance relationship in a dynamic perspective and in an unexplored market.
Nitrate Reductase Activity in Maize (Zea mays L.) Leaves: I. Regulation by Nitrate Flux.

The roles that leaf nitrate content and nitrate flux play in regulating the levels of nitrate reductase activity (NRA) were investigated in 8- to 14-day old maize (Zea mays L.) plants containing high nitrate levels while other environmental and endogenous factors were constant. The nitrate flux of intact plants was measured from the product of the transpiration rate and the concentration of nitrate in the xylem. NRA decreased when the seedlings were deprived of nitrate. The nitrate flux and the leaf nitrate content also decreased. When nitrate was resupplied to the roots, all three parameters increased.Attempts to alter the nitrate flux by varying transpiration rates were unsuccessful due to a relatively constant rate of delivery of nitrate to the xylem as transpiration rates fell. However, cooling the roots resulted in a decrease in the nitrate flux. Plants with a lower nitrate flux rapidly lost NRA, although the leaf nitrate content was initially unaffected. If the roots remained cool for a long enough time, the leaf nitrate content eventually decreased. Rewarming the roots increased the nitrate flux, leaf nitrate content, and NRA to control levels. When the nitrate flux in excised shoots was varied in three separate ways, decreasing the nitrate flux to the leaves resulted in a rapid decrease in NRA, although leaf nitrate contents were unchanged.These experiments show that the nitrate flux to the leaves from the roots plays a much larger regulatory role than the leaf nitrate content in controlling the level of NRA in intact plants.
Multislice breath‐hold spiral magnetic resonance coronary angiography in patients with coronary artery disease: Effect of intravascular contrast medium

First, to apply a breath‐hold multislice 2D spiral magnetic resonance (MR) approach in patients acquiring within 16 heartbeats (acquisition window, 116 msec) a 10‐mm‐thick stack of four slices (resolution, 1.3 × 1.3 mm2); and second, to evaluate the effect of an intravascular Fe‐based contrast medium (CM) on a signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and a contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR).