Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Zanzibar Interconnector Activity: Findings from the Hotel Study

This report presents findings from an evaluation of the installation of a new 100-megawatt submarine cable connecting Zanzibarâ€™s Unguja Island . This installation was funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to increase the supply of reliable and high quality electricity. The evaluation focuses on how the new cable influenced outcomes for hotels, an important industry on Unguja Island.
Trehalose 6‐phosphate phosphatase is required for cell wall integrity and fungal virulence but not trehalose biosynthesis in the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus

The trehalose biosynthesis pathway is critical for virulence in human and plant fungal pathogens. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that trehalose 6‐phosphate phosphatase (T6PP) is required for Aspergillus fumigatus virulence. A mutant of the A. fumigatus T6PP, OrlA, displayed severe morphological defects related to asexual reproduction when grown on glucose (1%) minimal media. These defects could be rescued by addition of osmotic stabilizers, reduction in incubation temperature or increase in glucose levels (> 4%). Subsequent examination of the mutant with cell wall perturbing agents revealed a link between cell wall biosynthesis and trehalose 6‐phosphate (T6P) levels. As expected, high levels of T6P accumulated in the absence of OrlA resulting in depletion of free inorganic phosphate and inhibition of hexokinase activity. Surprisingly, trehalose production persisted in the absence of OrlA. Further analyses revealed that A. fumigatus contains two trehalose phosphorylases that may be responsible for trehalose production in the absence of OrlA. Despite a normal growth rate under in vitro growth conditions, the orlA mutant was virtually avirulent in two distinct murine models of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Our results suggest that further study of this pathway will lead to new insights into regulation of fungal cell wall biosynthesis and virulence.
A comparison of optimal map classification methods incorporating uncertainty information

Uncertainty in spatial data attributes can produce unreliable spatial patterns in choropleth maps, but only a few studies have considered uncertainty in map classification processes. Unfortunately, a less desirable classification result often is generated by existing methods. For example, most observations are assigned to a single class while the remaining classes have a very small number of observations allocated to them. Also, selection of proper criteria for an optimal map classification is difficult. The purpose of this paper is to expand the discussion about incorporating data uncertainty for map classification by extending optimal map classification strategies with Bhattacharyya distance. The proposed method is illustrated with an application of soil lead contamination measurements in the City of Syracuse.
Does Funding Liquidity Cause Market Liquidity? Evidence from a Quasi-Experiment

Using an exogenous reduction in margin requirements, this paper shows that funding liquidity causally affects market liquidity. On July 14, 2005 the Securities and Exchange Commission approved a pilot program that permitted portfolio margining of index options but not equity options. The resulting significant improvement of funding liquidity leads to an increase in trading volume, a decrease bid-ask spread, and a decrease in price impact for index options compared to the unaffected equity options. These results provide strong causal evidence in support of the theories presented by Gromb and Vayanos (2002) and Brunnermeier and Pedersen (2009).
Mode of Action of a Bacteriocin from Serratia marcescens

The effects of bacteriocin JF246, produced by Serratia marcescens, on the incorporation of labeled leucine and thymidine, the synthesis of β-galactosidase, the active transport of labeled leucine and α-methyl-d-glucoside, and the cellular levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in Escherichia coli were studied. This bacteriocin strongly inhibited the incorporation of leucine and thymidine into protein and deoxyribonucleic acid, respectively, as well as the active transport of leucine. The accumulation of α-methyl-d-glucoside, which is mediated by a phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system, was not markedly inhibited. The level of ATP in bacteriocin-treated cells rapidly fell to 10 to 15% of the control value. However, the kinetics of inhibition of macromolecular synthesis by various levels of bacteriocin was not related to the kinetics of ATP decline.
The differing effects of agent and founder CEOs on the firm's market expansion

This paper builds and tests the thesis that CEO influence evolves differently for founders and agents. We theorize that at the beginning of their tenures, founder CEOs can pursue market expansion more aggressively than agent CEOs, because they take office with the combination of motivation, power, and requisite knowledge that agent CEOs build over time. Subsequently, however, founder CEOs have less access to the administrative infrastructure necessary to sustain a growing firm, making them less able than agent CEOs to continue market expansion mid-tenure and more severely constrained by market complexity. A longitudinal study of cable television operators confirms that the firm's market expansion follows an inverted U-shape for agents and a downward slope for founders, while market complexity reduces market expansion, especially for founders. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contraceptive failures in overweight and obese combined hormonal contraceptive users.

This letter to the editor is written in response to an article examining contraceptive failures in overweight and obese women using combined hormonal contraceptive users. The authors feel that the methodology used and the possible effect of noncompliance may mask the actual effect of body mass index on contraceptive failure. Of additional concern are the observed baseline differences between oral contraceptive pills patch and ring users that also may affect efficacy. Their concern is that excluding a biological component for hormonal contraceptive failure in overweight and obese users is premature.
Unwelcome customers? The epidemiology of removal from general practitioner lists in Sheffield.

BACKGROUND The 1990 contract and the 1991 fundholding scheme encouraged speculation that general practitioners (GPs) may remove patients from their lists for financial reasons. Despite assertions that patient removals are increasing, little evidence exists on the number or trends in removals. AIM To describe the epidemiology of removals by time, place, and person, and to determine whether removals have increased in recent years. METHOD Descriptive analysis of routine data relating to all removals of Sheffield residents from GP lists during 1991-1996. RESULTS Removal from a doctor's list was a rare event (2.4 per 1000 patients per year) that did not become more common over the period examined. Removal rates varied by age, sex, and practice, with relatively high rates among children, young women, and the over-75s. There was a significant tendency for higher removal rates in more deprived parts of the city. CONCLUSION Removal rates have not increased in Sheffield. The reasons for the variation in rates by age, sex, and practice are unknown. The higher rates noted in the under-fives and young women are consistent with the possibility that the 1990 target payment scheme may have increased removal rates in these age groups.
THE ANALYSIS OF HUMAN CAPITAL BUILDING, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT, GOVERNMENT POLICY ON SMALL MEDIUM ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AREA MANADO AND MINAHASA

The existence of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) plays an important role to the economy of Indonesia. SMEs have been developed rapidly and have a significant contribution to the economic growth, national income and creating job employment. SMEs even play a powerful role during the economic crisis. In rural areas, SMEs are also related to the local economic performance. The creation and development of sustainable local businesses that generate jobs and create economic opportunities are vital for rural area in increasing income and employment. This research is designed to analyze the four proponents including human capital building, financial assistance, facilities and infrastructure support, and government policy on small medium enterprises development in rural area of Manado and Minahasa. This research is a quantitative research that associative with multiple linear regression analysis technique. The population in this study is the developed small medium enterprises in rural area of Manado and Minahasa, whereas the sample of respondents are 100 rural entrepreneurs who are owner of small medium enterprises. The result of this research shows that there is significant simultaneous and partial influence of Human Capital Building, Financial Assistance, Facilities & Infrastructure support, and government policy on small medium enterprises development in rural area of Manado and Minahasa. Therefore, to enhance the development of SMEs in rural area of Manado and Minahasa these four proponents should be considered intensively. Keywords : small medium enterprises, human capital, financial assistance
Children's experiences of participation in the cleft lip and palate care pathway.

AIM This qualitative study sought to explore children's perspectives on their participation in the cleft lip and palate care pathway. DESIGN Eight boys and nine girls (aged 8-17 years), with a range of cleft types and who were patients at a British dental hospital each took part in two child-centred interviews which incorporated participatory activities. An initial interview focused on children's general life stories, and these often encompassed a discussion about cleft lip and/or palate. A follow-up interview explored specific aspects of the condition and its related treatment. RESULTS Data revealed the varying roles that young people can play in decision-making, which can be described as active or passive. In addition, the dynamic degree of participation was highlighted with patients occupying different roles throughout the care pathway. CONCLUSION The research provides an insight into treatment decisions, and how young people, their families, and clinicians interact to arrive at these. Findings provide further evidence to support the important contribution young patients can make in their own treatment choices.
Funds Management In Banks: A Cost-Benefit Perspective

The Indian banking witnessed a paradigm shift in their operations after the financial sector reforms in 1991. These reforms led to the emergence of new banks, new instruments, new methods of doing business, and finally heightened competition in the banking industry. In this context, it is imperative on the part of the Indian banking industry to strengthen financial base, increase overall efficiency, and improve profitability by designing appropriate funds management policies and practices. This paper examines the profitability of funds management of the select Indian banks with a cost-benefit perspective.
Like Father like Son : Technology Transfers and Productivity Effects from Firm Ownership ∗

The literature documents a scarcity of firms transferring tangibles within ownership structures. This is suggestive of the theoretical argument that firm ownership is primarily used to facilitate the efficient transfer of intangibles. In this paper, we analyse the validity of this alternative explanation. We use a carefully constructed European panel of majority owned parent-affiliate relationships with full information on both sides and extend a typical production function estimator to account for transfers of intangibles between the parent and its affiliate. We find that the productivity of the parent is a) a significant intangible input in the affiliate’s production technology and b) a key determinant of the affiliate’s productivity dynamics. Domestically owned affiliates experience larger technology transfers from their parents, while foreign owned affiliates benefit more from productivity increases induced by learning mechanisms.
Vav-Rac1-Mediated Activation of the c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase/c-Jun/AP-1 Pathway Plays a Major Role in Stimulation of the Distal NFAT Site in the Interleukin-2 Gene Promoter

ABSTRACT Vav, a hematopoiesis-specific signaling protein, plays an important role in T-cell development and activation. Vav upregulates the expression of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene, primarily via activation of the distal NFAT site in the IL-2 gene promoter (NFAT–IL-2). However, since this site cooperatively binds NFAT and AP-1, the relative contribution of Vav to NFAT versus AP-1 activation has not been determined. Here, we studied the respective roles of the AP-1 and NFAT pathways in the T-cell receptor (TCR)-mediated, Vav-dependent activation of NFAT–IL-2. Although Vav stimulated the transcriptional activity of an NFAT–IL-2 reporter gene, it failed to stimulate the transcriptional or DNA-binding activities of an AP-1-independent NFAT site derived from the human gamma interferon gene promoter. Vav also did not stimulate detectable Ca2+ mobilization and nuclear translocation of NFATc or NFATp. On the other hand, Vav induced the activation of Rac1 or Cdc42 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), enhanced the transcriptional and DNA-binding activities of AP-1, and induced increased phosphorylation of c-Jun. Dominant-negative Vav and/or Rac1 mutants blocked the TCR-mediated stimulation of these events, demonstrating the physiological relevance of these effects. Vav also associated with Rac1 or Cdc42 in T cells, and anti-CD3 antibody stimulation enhanced this association. These findings indicate that a Rac1-dependent JNK/c-Jun/AP-1 pathway, rather than the Ca2+/NFAT pathway, plays the predominant role in NFAT–IL-2 activation by Vav.
Identifying Successful Industrial Salesmen by Personality and Personal Characteristics

Despite continuing research effort, little success has been achieved in the use of personality and personal characteristics to predict the performance of salesmen. From an empirical study, a set of personality variables and personal characteristics that appear to have value in the selection of industrial salesmen are identified. A synthesis of theoretical and empirical research appropriate to the selection problem is reported, and some suggestions are made to guide future research in industrial selling.
Internet Marketing Adoption by Small Business Enterprises in Malaysia

The study provides insights into small business enterprises’ perceptions of the adoption of Internet marketing. Data were gathered from 10 in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with small business owners located in Malaysia. The findings indicate that adopting Internet marketing assisted small business enterprises to have wider market coverage, reduce marketing cost, and increase customer relationship. The paper demonstrates the evolution of marketing approach; from traditional marketing to Internet marketing and the positive impact of Internet marketing to the businesses.
Glutamate decarboxylase-reactive peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with IDDM express gut-specific homing receptor alpha4beta7-integrin.

Migration of lymphocytes to the pancreas is a prerequisite for insulitis in IDDM. Mucosal vascular addressin (MAdCAM-1), involved in the recirculation of lymphocytes to the gut, has been found in the inflamed islets in NOD mice. In humans, triggers of the gut immune system (e.g., early exposure to cow's milk proteins in infancy, exposure to enteroviral infections) have been associated with IDDM. To study the possible link between the gut immune system and IDDM, we tested the expression of the alpha4beta7-integrin, a homing receptor for MAdCAM-1, on GAD65-reactive lymphocytes. Using immunomagnetic cell sorting, we depleted the lymphocytes with high expression of alpha4beta7-integrin in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell population from IDDM patients and patients with autoimmune polyendocrine disease type 1 (APD-I). The depletion led to a marked decrease (mean 70%) in the cellular response against GAD65 in three of six IDDM patients and in one subject at high risk for IDDM. A decrease of 37% in the GAD response was observed after depletion in the case of one APD-I patient who also had IDDM. Cellular response to tetanus toxoid increased in the majority of patients as well as in three control subjects studied. We demonstrated that a remarkable population of islet cell antigen-reactive lymphocytes express the gut-specific homing receptor, which emphasizes the role of gut immunity in IDDM. The manipulation of the gut immune system is therefore proposed as a tool for modulation of the autoimmunity against pancreatic beta-cells in IDDM.
Applications for the lifetime value model in modern newspaper publishing

The central tenet of the Lifetime Value Model (LTV) is that not all customers are created equal. Simply defined, the LTV calculates the cost ofattaining and servicing customers, and weighs that cost against the customer's likelihood to remain or grow loyal over time. Database marketing provides an analytical tool to assist business managers in calculating lifetime value and identifying and segmenting these longterm, desirable customers. As Wang and Spiegel noted, "One way that a company's success can be measured is by the value of its customer base, and especially its base of repeat customers. With proper strategic planning, database marketers can learn to systematically manage and ultimately improve the value of a repeat customer base" (2:73). This approach requires a slow·burn mentality on the part of management, as it may take years, even decades, for a customer's potential value to be fully realized. Dwyer wrote: "By giving gross consideration to LTV, programs that do less than break-even on a short-run basis may be 'scored' favorably on the expectation of future business" (1:00). Furthermore, the overall value of developing such a customer base can go well beyond Simple sales gains. Wang and Spiegel observed: "The ability to measure and manage the value of a repeat cus· tomer base can lead to a powerful competitive advantage, not only on formulating cost·effective marketing strategies, but also in planning the appropriate response to any future threats launched by external competitors" (2:81). From insurance companies to retailers, LTV has proven to be a valuable tool that can improve the long-term success of targeted marketing efforts. We believe that the LTV has equally valuable applications for mass marketing efforts. Publishers of narrow interest magazines, such as Time·Life and Meredith Publishing, have used LTV since the 1970s to improve their circulation strategy. Newspaper publishers will find, even with their broadly defined circulation, that they too can benefit from LTV models. In today's competitive publishing environment, marketers need to segment and target readership better to meet advertising and circulation goals. Building a lifetime value for each reader helps them do that. Because the newspaper product is literally recreated dally, it has a unique opportunity to create a relevant product for its readers. In doing so, the newspaper can build its franchise and potentially develop a relationship that nearly equals the read· er's lifetime. We suggest that LTV is an effective tool with which to accomplish this.
Pension Fund Reform and European Financial Markets

Pension reform is widely seen as essential in order to defuse the difficulties EU governments would otherwise face in respect of their social security pension systems in a context of population ageing. Particularly when such reform involves funding of future pensions, it may have radical implications for European financial markets, entailing important changes in the demand for financial assets by the private sector and qualitative developments in capital markets and banking which may impinge on banks comparative advantages. It may thereby impact on some long-established features of EU financial markets, notably in respect of corporate finance and corporate governance. Meanwhile, the onset of EMU will strongly affect both the evolution of EU financial markets and funding; On balance, it will tend to lead the evolution of financial structures in the same direction as the effects of pension fund reform, in that both favour an increased role for securities markets and a lesser role for traditional banking. EMU will also encourage funding in various ways in and of itself. It is suggested that the forces unleashed by EMU and pension funding may act to change the European financial landscape more radically than would be the case for each alone, in the direction of a securitised financial system characterised by Anglo-Saxon market-based corporate finance and governance practices and away from ¶relationship banking¶. A number of theoretical, empirical and policy issues are raised, notably in respect of corporate finance, financial regulation and monetary policy.
Pharmacovigilance and tuberculosis: applying the lessons of thioacetazone

Following its introduction in the late 1940s, thioacetazone was widely-used as an anti-tuberculosis medicine in the following decades.1 Reports of cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions related to its use emerged in the literature soon after its introduction and by the early 1970s the association between the medicine and the adverse drug reaction was well established.2 Despite the increased recognition of this risk, thioacetazone remained in use mainly in low-income countries because of its low cost.3
The Advisory Role of the Board: Evidence from the Implementation of Independent Director System in China

This paper explores the empirical results of the implementation of an independent director system in China. The results show that firms implement board independence by adding extra members, instead of removing inside directors, except in the case where the board size (before the recruitment of independent directors) has already been too large. It has been identified that large firms prefer a large board with more independent directors on the board. However, the largest shareholders have a strong incentive to organise a small and insider-controlled board. Although there is a negative relationship between board size, board independence and firm performance, Tobin's Q increases in relation to board size and board independence for large firms.
Dendritic Cell Subsets Differentially Regulate Angiogenesis in Human Ovarian Cancer

Angiogenesis is essential for both primary and metastatic tumor growth. Tumor blood vessel formation is complex and regulated by many factors. Ovarian carcinomas have a poor prognosis, often associated with multifocal intraperitoneal dissemination accompanied by intense neovascularization. To examine tumor angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment, we studied malignant ascites of patients with untreated ovarian carcinoma. We observed high numbers of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) and significant stromal-derived factor (CXCL-12/SDF)-1 in their malignant ascites, attracting PDCs into the tumor environment. We now show that tumor-associated PDCs induced angiogenesis in vivo through production of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 8. By contrast, myeloid dendritic cells (MDCs) were absent from malignant ascites. MDCs derived in vitro suppressed angiogenesis in vivo through production of interleukin 12. Thus, the tumor may attract PDCs to augment angiogenesis while excluding MDCs to prevent angiogenesis inhibition, demonstrating a novel mechanism for modulating tumor neovascularization. Because dendritic cells (DCs) have long been known to affect tumor immunity, our data also implicate DCs in regulation of tumor neoangiogenesis, suggesting a novel role of DCs in tumor pathology.