Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal concentrations of vitamin B(12) and vitamin B(12)-binding proteins during uncomplicated pregnancy.

BACKGROUND Because reference values for vitamin B(12) concentrations and vitamin B(12)-binding capacities for pregnant women have not been established, the reference values for nonpregnant women are often applied to assess vitamin B(12) status. The aim of the present study was to describe ranges of biochemical indices of vitamin B(12) status, including red blood cell (RBC) vitamin B(12), saturated and unsaturated cobalamin-binding proteins, and binding capacities in all trimesters of uncomplicated pregnancy. METHODS A total of 39 healthy pregnant women with long-term daily intake of vitamin B(12) >2.6 microg/day and uncomplicated pregnancies participated in the study throughout their pregnancies. RBCs and serum vitamin B(12), holo-haptocorrin, unsaturated cobalamin-binding proteins, unsaturated and total vitamin B(12)-binding capacities, total homocysteine (tHcy), and RBC count were assessed in weeks 9-12, 20-22, and 36-38 of gestation. RESULTS Significant changes in vitamin B(12) status occurred in the course of pregnancy. Serum vitamin B(12) concentrations and percentage of saturation of vitamin B(12)-binding proteins decreased steadily throughout pregnancy. In the third trimester, 35% of the participants had serum vitamin B(12) concentrations <150 pmol/L and 68.6% had <15% saturation of total vitamin B(12)-binding capacities, but no women had RBC vitamin B(12) concentrations <148 pmol/L. However, the decrease in these indices was not associated with reduced hemoglobin concentrations or RBC count or with increased tHcy concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the reference values for vitamin B(12) status in nonpregnant women may not be applicable to pregnant women.
Sources of Macroeconomic Fluctuations in MENA Countries

A close examination of the MENA region economies reveals a number of fundamental sources of macroeconomic fluctuations. These include economic factors such as exchange rate instability, large public debt, current account deficits, and escalation of inflation. The political factors such as government instability, corruption, bureaucracy, and internal conflicts also are major sources of macroeconomic instability. Thus, the sources of macroeconomic fluctuations in these countries are expected to be inhomogeneous. This paper determines sources of macroeconomic fluctuations for 16 MENA economies using a structural VAR model. By imposing long-run restrictions on a VAR model, we identify four structural shocks: nominal demand, relative demand, supply, the world output, and imported input price shocks. Overall, the results show some similarities for the source of macroeconomic fluctuations in these, but also some important differences as well. We find important differences even among countries with similar macroeconomic conditions, such as the oil exporters and oil importers. Although, oil prices and world output are significant sources of macroeconomic fluctuations in oil exporters, in almost all countries they do not have the highest share. There is one clear common finding of the paper: For all countries, the long-run sources of output fluctuations are the real supply and/or real demand shocks. External shocks are secondary for all countries. The sources of short-run and price fluctuations are inhomogeneous and dominant variables are mostly determined by country specific factors.
Helminth Cysteine Proteases Inhibit TRIF-dependent Activation of Macrophages via Degradation of TLR3

Helminth pathogens prepare a Th2 type immunological environment in their hosts to ensure their longevity. They achieve this by secreting molecules that not only actively drive type 2 responses but also suppress type 1 responses. Here, we show that the major cysteine proteases secreted from the helminth pathogens Fasciola hepatica (FheCL1) and Schistosoma mansoni (SmCB1) protect mice from the lethal effects of lipopolysaccharide by preventing the release of inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin-12, from macrophages. The proteases specifically block the MyD88-independent TRIF-dependent signaling pathway of Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 and TLR3. Microscopical and flow cytometric studies, however, show that alteration of macrophage function by cysteine protease is not mediated by cleavage of components of the TLR4 complex on the cell surface but occurs by degradation of TLR3 within the endosome. This is the first study to describe a parasite molecule that degrades this receptor and pinpoints a novel mechanism by which helminth parasites modulate the innate immune responses of their hosts to suppress the development of Th1 responses.
The Substrate of Greatwall Kinase, Arpp19, Controls Mitosis by Inhibiting Protein Phosphatase 2A

Beyond the Greatwall Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation provide a central mechanism that controls the eukaryotic cell division cycle and entry of cells into mitosis. A form of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) has an important role inhibiting phosphorylation-dependent activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) itself and also dephosphorylating substrates of the active CDK1 that promote mitosis. PP2A activity is inhibited when another protein kinase, known as Greatwall, is activated (see the Perspective by Virshup and Kaldis). Mochida et al. (p. 1670) and Gharbi-Ayachi et al. (p. 1673) searched for substrates of Greatwall that might participate in the cell cycle regulatory machinery. When phosphorylated by Greatwall, a pair of small related proteins, Arpp19 and α-endosulfine, inhibited activity of PP2A. These effects were critical for regulation of mitosis in Xenopus egg extracts and in human cancer cells. Greatwall itself is phosphorylated and activated by CDK1—thus, apparently contributing to a feed-forward loop that contributes to the switchlike commitment of cells to mitosis. The protein kinase Greatwall controls cell division by phosphorylating and activating an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A. Initiation and maintenance of mitosis require the activation of protein kinase cyclin B–Cdc2 and the inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), which, respectively, phosphorylate and dephosphorylate mitotic substrates. The protein kinase Greatwall (Gwl) is required to maintain mitosis through PP2A inhibition. We describe how Gwl activation results in PP2A inhibition. We identified cyclic adenosine monophosphate–regulated phosphoprotein 19 (Arpp19) and α-Endosulfine as two substrates of Gwl that, when phosphorylated by this kinase, associate with and inhibit PP2A, thus promoting mitotic entry. Conversely, in the absence of Gwl activity, Arpp19 and α-Endosulfine are dephosphorylated and lose their capacity to bind and inhibit PP2A. Although both proteins can inhibit PP2A, endogenous Arpp19, but not α-Endosulfine, is responsible for PP2A inhibition at mitotic entry in Xenopus egg extracts.
The Role of Speculators in the Crude Oil Futures Market

Abstract: The coincident rise in crude oil prices and increased numbers of financial participants in the crude oil futures market from 2000-2008 has led to allegations that "speculators" drive crude oil prices. As crude oil futures peaked at $147/bbl in July 2008, the role of speculators came under heated debate. In this paper, we employ unique data from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to test the relation between crude oil prices and the trading positions of various types of traders in the crude oil futures market. We employ Granger Causality tests to analyze lead and lag relations between price and position data at daily and multiple day intervals. We find little evidence that hedge funds and other non-commercial (speculator) position changes Granger-cause price changes;–the results instead suggest that price changes do precede their position changes.
Multiple Large Shareholders and Corporate Risk Taking: Evidence from East Asia

Manuscript Type: Empirical. Research Question/Issue: Prior literature suggests that weak external governance mechanisms negatively affect corporate risk taking (CRT). However, strong internal governance is likely to mitigate the shortcomings of external governance. In a sample of East Asian firms, we examine whether the presence and voting power of multiple large shareholders (MLS) beyond the dominant shareholder effectively manage internal governance and mitigate agency problems, as measured by their effect on CRT. Research Findings/Insights: In a sample of 1,686 firms from nine countries, while the presence of a dominant shareholder is associated with a lower CRT, the presence and voting rights of the MLS are strongly associated with a higher CRT. Furthermore, the effect of the MLS on CRT is strongly positive in family dominated firms (as opposed to non‐family dominated firms). Theoretical/Academic Implications: We interpret these findings as evidence that in firms featuring a dominant shareholder with the power and incentives to extract private benefits of control by undertaking a conservative investment policy, the power and presence of MLS improve internal governance by mitigating agency problems between the dominant shareholder and minority shareholders and help promote a more optimal non‐conservative investment policy. Practitioner/Policy Implications: In countries where financial markets are still developing and in countries where the dominant shareholder structures are widespread, the policy makers may encourage MLS structures in general and in the privatization of state enterprises.
Search Engine Marketing: Transforming Search Engines into Hotel Distribution Channels

Search engine marketing (SEM) is a form of online marketing whereby marketers and webmasters use a range of techniques to ensure that their webpage listing appears in a favorable location in search engines’ results pages (e.g., Google, Bing, AlltheWeb, Altavista). The key strategy is to optimize webpages for the search engines, by ensuring that the company’s webpages contain appropriate keywords and that the website’s page hierarchy is logically arranged. An appropriate website design encourages the search engines’ web crawlers or spiders to index a particular set of pages, and proper keywords promote an optimum ranking in search engines. This study aims to explore the different variables and aspects that come into play in SEM and to offer a strategy that hotel marketers can use to achieve these objectives, based on a focus group of eleven corporate-level hotel marketers and SEM consultants. The study employs the following four-stage framework for SEM strategy development: analysis, planning, implementation, and control.
NEW MILLENNIUM LEARNERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: EVIDENCE AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Purpose of this document In the context of ongoing CERI work on higher education, this document addresses three questions. First, can the claim that today’s higher education students are new millennium learners be sustained empirically? Second, is there research evidence demonstrating the effects of technology adoption on cognitive development, social values, and learning expectations? Third, how are higher education institutions coping with the widely assumed teaching and learning implications of the emergence of the new millennium learners? This document is an excerpt of Chapter 5 in the upcoming CERI volume on Technology in Higher Education in the Higher Education to 2030 series, which takes a forward-looking approach to analysing the impact of various contemporary trends on tertiary education systems. For more information:
Linearity calibration of wideband digitizer using binary inductive voltage divider

Self-calibration theory and the guarding method for binary inductive voltage divider(IVD) is described. The linearity of binary IVD is in level of 10-7 at frequency of 10 kHz and 10-6 at frequency of 100 kHz. Method to measure linearity of wideband digitizer using binary IVD is introduced. Nonlinearity is no more than 20 μV V at 1 kHz and 10 kHz, and 30 μV V at 100 kHz for full 10-Vpp scale. And the similar linearity curves are found at three frequencies.
The Swedish venture capital industry: An infant, adolescent or grown-up?

This paper analyses the evolution of the Swedish venture capital (VC) industry. The institutional infrastructure in the form of legal access to available savings, the incentive structure and the exit possibilities for the VC firm initially blocked the evolution of the VC industry but institutional changes initiated a catch-up process in Sweden in the 1990s. The size of the Swedish VC industry is now substantial, among the four largest in the OECD set in relation to population. A distinct structural change in the Swedish VC industry in favour of diversity is also taking place but the industry is not yet mature with respect to its competence. The key policy issues are related not only to expanding the size of the industry, but also to increasing its competence. Further institutional change is, therefore, warranted, not only in terms of tax reforms and improving the access to pension funds and other savings, but also in terms of distinct policies aiming at increasing the flow of competence to the VC industry.
The promises of quantitative text analysis in interest group research: A reply to Bunea and Ibenskas

Quantitative text analysis constitutes a promising new method that allows for measuring the policy positions and the lobbying success of interest groups by analyzing their submissions to legislative consultations (Klüver, 2009). The use of quantitative text analysis allowed me to present a novel and unique research design which was the largest in scope at the time and resulted in important new insights regarding the determinants of lobbying success (Klüver, 2009, 2011, 2013). In their recent article, Bunea and Ibenskas (2015) however question the usefulness of quantitative text analysis for studying interest groups and discuss several issues which in their view constitute important disadvantages of the technique. In this article I carefully discuss each of their arguments and show that none of their objections actually prevents scholars from successfully using quantitative text analysis to study interest groups in the European Union and beyond.
The true and fair view and the ‘fair presentation’ override of IAS 1

Abstract This paper examines the ‘fair presentation’ requirement and the override in International Accounting Standard 1. The paper's objective is to attempt an explication of the nature, role and status of the override and to make recommendations regarding its application. The author examines the wording of the relevant provisions in IAS 1 and compares and contrasts these with other regulation containing similar concepts, such as the European Union's fourth directive, UK and German law and US regulation. The ensuing discussion is centred around three interrelated themes: the hierarchies of (legal) rules in different legal systems, the relationship of ‘fair presentation’ to IASC/B pronouncements and the status of the override in IAS 1. It is argued that the override is considerably weaker than the true and fair view override in the EU's fourth directive and the UK's Companies Act, and that its role is not likely to go beyond that of a legal residual clause. The paper finally provides some initial evidence that the override is likely to be interpreted in this way in at least some countries, and recommends that a wider interpretation should not be sanctioned by the International Accounting Standards Board, nor by those charged with the enforcement of International Accounting Standards.
Use of the false discovery rate for evaluating clinical safety data

Clinical adverse experience (AE) data are routinely evaluated using between group P values for every AE encountered within each of several body systems. If the P values are reported and interpreted without multiplicity considerations, there is a potential for an excess of false positive findings. Procedures based on confidence interval estimates of treatment effects have the same potential for false positive findings as P value methods. Excess false positive findings can needlessly complicate the safety profile of a safe drug or vaccine. Accordingly, we propose a novel method for addressing multiplicity in the evaluation of adverse experience data arising in clinical trial settings. The method involves a two-step application of adjusted P values based on the Benjamini and Hochberg1 false discovery rate (FDR). Data from three moderate to large vaccine trials are used to illustrate our proposed ‘Double FDR’ approach, and to reinforce the potential impact of failing to account for multiplicity. This work was in collaboration with the late Professor John W. Tukey who coined the term ‘Double FDR’.
The Government 2.0 utilization model and implementation scenarios

Although it seems that Government 2.0 will finally deliver the promise of a truly transparent government, many practitioners around the globe (particularly those in the developing world) are reluctant or unable to develop strategies and allocate resources to Government 2.0. As a result, governments around the world ignore or mishandle the opportunities and threats presented by Government 2.0. The primary reason underlying this behavior is the lack of understanding regarding Government 2.0. The purpose of the study is to address this gap in knowledge and understanding by presenting and illustrating fundamental concepts of Government 2.0. A web survey of 200 government websites from 40 countries (20 each from advanced and developing countries) and 45 Web 2.0 initiatives across the globe was used to present and illustrate fundamental concepts of Government 2.0. We suggested a three stage Government 2.0 Utilization Model (GUM) starting from information socialization (stage 1), and then moving on to mass collaboration (stage 2), and social transaction (stage 3). Based on the web survey, we also suggested three Government 2.0 implementation scenarios (i.e., standalone, nested, and hybrid implementation). The study will help researchers and practitioners in understanding the Government 2.0 phenomenon and the opportunities presented by it.
The theory of an ‘optimum currency area’

The main goal of this paper is to analyse and distinguish the main components of the theory of an ‘Optimum Currency Area’. T he theory of an optimum currency area indicates some essential elements as preconditions for the successful introduction of a common currency: high mobility of labour, openness of the economy defined as a high proportion of tradable to non-tradable goods, and high diversification of domestic production before joining the union. The article’s analysis helps to better understanding the reasons of the current crisis in the euro zone. The main problem with a common currency area is the adjustment to imbalances, which cannot take place through exchange rates in conditions of a common currency. The missing elements of the theory are the role of the mobility of capital to correct interregional balance of payments disequilibria and lack of a common budget with sufficient own resources during the occurrence of debt crises in member countries. The theory of an optimum currency area has noticed the importance of coordination between fiscal and monetary policy and the necessity of redistribution of resources among partners. However, it does not say much about the methods applied, how to deal with debt crises and what the cost of a potential breaking up of monetary union would be.
Management Buyouts of Divisions and Shareholder Wealth

This paper examines the wealth effects to parent company shareholders around the announcement of divisional management buyouts. Despite the relative absence of "arms-length" bargaining between buyer and seller, there is no evidence that divisional management buyouts result in reductions in parent company share prices. Instead, small, but statistically significant, wealth gains are found during the two-day period surrounding the buyout announcement. This evidence suggests that divisional buyouts reallocate ownership of corporate assets to higher-valued uses and that parent company stockholders share in the expected benefits of this change in ownership structure. Copyright 1989 by American Finance Association.
FACTORS INFLUENCING CROP INSURANCE PARTICIPATION IN MAIZE FARMING

ABSTRACT Crop insurance has been divided into comprehensive (all-risk) and hail insurance and these have been analysed separately. A discriminant analysis of 82 farmers surveyed in the Highveld Region during July and August 1987 indicates that it is the farmer more exposed to risk, with lower liquidity, greater experience and more debt, who insures comprehensively. The latter producer also tends to have an unfavourable return on assets with a small or nonexistent livestock enterprise. With respect to hail insurance, results indicate that it is the older farmer with low gross farm and off-farm income that tends to insure. Further insight into economic forces influencing farmer participation is important as it may aid policy-makers in the adjustment of present and the formation of future policies regarding such risk management strategies as crop insurance.
Understanding heterogeneity in social anxiety disorder: dependency and self-criticism moderate fear responses to interpersonal cues.

OBJECTIVE This study examined how the personality traits of self-criticism and dependency moderated the effects of situational interpersonal cues on fear during interpersonal interactions among individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD). We hypothesized that self-criticism would moderate the fear-inducing effects of situational self-consciousness and that dependency would moderate the fear-inducing effects of situational emotional insecurity. METHODS Forty SAD patients (Mage = 29.23) and matched community controls (Mage = 28.93) completed event-contingent record forms after each significant social interaction of over 5 min for a 20-day period. There were 20 female patients and 20 male patients in each group. RESULTS Event-level self-consciousness was more strongly associated with elevations in fear among socially anxious patients who reported higher levels of self-criticism, while event-level emotional security was more strongly associated with decreases in fear among SAD patients who reported higher levels of dependency. These interactions were not found in the community sample. CONCLUSIONS Findings support the application of personality-vulnerability models to understanding fear during social interactions in patients with SAD. Results also have implications for psychotherapeutic treatments of SAD.
Ecological Modernization as a Basis for Environmental Policy: Current Environmental Discourse and Policy and the Implications on Environmental Supply Chain Management

Sustainable development and ecological modernization are the two theoretical frameworks that underlie environmental policy making in industrialized countries. It is especially the theory of ecological modernization that describes recent changes in environmental policy making and assumes a positive-sum game between the economy and the environment. The article critically reflects upon ecological modernization as a basis for current environmental policy and discourse. It uses experiences of a project on environmental supply chain management to explore the implications of ecological modernization on practical environmental policy outcomes. We conclude that sustainable development and ecological modernization must be viewed as ideological and political concepts, at least as much as they are about the relationship between the economy and environment. Therefore, further analyses of environmental policy making must include issues of power and influence.