Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An empirical investigation of the National Innovation System (NIS) using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the TOBIT model

The goal of this paper is to investigate national innovation systems’ input–output components and to model a robust efficiency measurement using the DEA Bootstrap technique. Most of the previous NIS studies are descriptive and little emphasis is given to complex analysis. In our previous study, we evaluated the innovation performance of 20 emerging and developed countries, from the point of view of technical efficiency. This study makes an important contribution using the DEA Bootstrap technique, whereby we rank the countries based on bias-corrected estimation parallel to conventional DEA efficiency. The efficiency scores obtained from this technique show which countries are considered to be innovation leaders because their innovation performance is efficient under both constant and variable returns to scale in the process of transforming innovation inputs into innovation outputs. We suggest some key policy implications that can be learned from these innovation leaders. Subsequently, we apply the Tobit model to explain inefficiency. Based on the Tobit regression model, the DEA CRS technical efficient score of inefficient countries could be improved through three main variables: the secondary school enrolment ratio; the labour force (ages 15–65), as a percentage of the total population; and domestic credit expansion by the business sector, as a percentage of GDP.
The Role of Health Insurance Membership in Health Service Utilisation in Indonesia

In 2014, Indonesia implemented a new, nationwide, subsidised universal-coverage health insurance program, under which poor Indonesians do not pay to become members and others pay a relatively low fee. This program has created a national debate about the effectiveness of the ownership of health insurance in increasing the use of health services—particularly among the poor—given the limitations in their quantity and quality. Using membership data on different health insurance programs from the 2007 rounds of Susenas and Riskesdas, this article researches the impact of having health insurance on health service utilisation, by controlling the levels of quality and quantity of health services in the area. We argue that having health insurance increases health service utilisation by approximately eight percentage points when people feel sick (or by approximately five percentage points if we include those who do not feel sick).
The impact of dynamic capabilities on SME performance in a volatile environment as moderated by organizational inertia

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the influence of the dynamic capabilities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on organizational performance, and the interaction between dynamic capabilities and organizational inertia in a volatile environment. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative survey was carried out in Lithuania's SME sector. In order to achieve the aim of this empirical research, a sample of 360 SMEs was analyzed. Findings – This exploratory study offers a conceptual model for dynamic capabilities and organizational inertia in a volatile environment. The findings suggest that dynamic capabilities have positive effects on non-financial relative organizational performance, though no impact on financial relative organizational performance has been revealed. The authors argue that organizational inertia moderates dynamic capabilities and relative organizational performance. Research limitations/implications – One suggestion for further research is to investigate the interaction between dyn.
Adoption of Sarbanes-Oxley Measures by Nonprofit Organizations: An Empirical Study

SYNOPSIS: This paper reports the results of a survey of 215 nonprofit organizations to determine the degree to which these organizations have voluntarily adopted provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX). The authors believe that this research is timely and important as several states are considering implementing regulation that would have implications for stricter accountability measures for nonprofit organizations. Results indicate that many of the nonprofits in this survey have either already adopted governance measures similar to those prescribed by SOX or are in the process of doing so. The regression results indicate that size of budget, size of the board of directors, and proportion of independent members on the board are significantly related to the presence of an audit committee. Organizations engaging external or internal auditors are more likely to have a code of conduct and have periodic assessments of internal controls. The presence of an internal audit function is also significantly.
Modulation of excessive neuronal activity by fibroblasts: potential use in treatment of Parkinson's disease.

PURPOSE A number of neurological disorders are marked by increased or aberrant frequency of neuronal discharge in specific parts of the brain. Administration of drugs such as antiepileptic compounds results in the depression of neuronal activity in the whole brain, with the potential for serious side-effects. In the search for additional therapies to reduce the unphysiological electrical activity of over-active brain foci, we have examined the effect of fibroblasts transplanted to areas responsible for motor dysfunction in hemi-parkinsonian rats, since bursting synchronous discharges in internal segment of globus pallidus (GPi) are thought to be partially responsible for the movement disorders of PD. Fibroblasts express gap junctions and ion channels, and so, when transplanted to brain tissue, can potentially modulate excessive electrical activity. METHODS Neonatal cortical neurons were cultured on multi-electrode arrays, and their electrical activity was evaluated before and after fibroblast seeding. Unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion was carried out in Fischer rats. Lesioned or control rats were transplanted with either syngeneic dermal fibroblasts, microfine glass beads, ibotenic acid, or physiological saline, in the entopeduncular nucleus (EP). Apomorphine-induced rotational behavior and L-dopa-induced dyskinetic movements were evaluated before transplantation (baseline) and 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks following transplantation. Following behavioral experiments, rats were perfused with 4% formaldehyde in PBS for immunohistochemical study of the brain. RESULTS We demonstrate in vitro that the introduction of fibroblasts into a network of neurons does not interfere with overall functional measures of activity, while moderately altering the characteristics of synchronous neuronal discharge. In rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the nigro-striatal dopaminergic pathway, apomorphine-induced rotations were reduced by more than 60% following ipsilateral transplantation of fibroblasts to the EP. L-Dopa-induced dyskinesia was also significantly reduced. Transplantation of inert microspheres, or chemical lesion of the same area with ibotenic acid, did not produce beneficial effects on parkinsonian symptomatology. CONCLUSION Fibroblast transplantation could be an alternative treatment strategy for the parkinsonian patient.
Physical aggression, relational aggression and anger in preschool children: The mediating role of emotion regulation

Abstract In early years, anger in children may cause aggressive behaviors. Previous studies show that the development of emotion regulation decreases anger and aggression in children. In this study, the mediating role of emotion regulation in the relationship between children's anger expression levels and their physical and relational aggression was investigated using structural equation modeling. The participants of the study consisted of 751 36- to 72-month old children living in Turkey (384 males, 50.7%; 367 females, 49.3%; average of age = 4.13; SD = .78). The data on anger-expressing levels and emotion-regulation skills of children were evaluated by their mothers, and the data on their physical and relational aggression levels were evaluated by their teachers. Expressions of anger indirectly predicted both physical aggression (β = .14, p < .01) and relational aggression (β = .10, p < .01) through emotion regulation significantly. The emotion regulation has the full mediator role in the relation between anger, physical, and relational aggression. The results further showed that children's feelings of anger may not turn into aggressive behavior, thus the study emphasizes the importance of supporting the development of emotion-regulation skills in the preschool period.
Esophageal cancer mortality during 2004-2009 in Yanting County, China.

OBJECTIVE Yanting County is a high risk area for esophageal cancer (EC) in China. The purpose of this study was to describe the mortality and mortality change of EC from 2004 to 2009 in Yanting County. METHODS EC mortality data from 2004 to 2009 obtained from the Cancer Registry in Yanting were analyzed. Annual percentage changes (APC) were calculated to assess the trends in EC mortality. Age-standardized mortality was calculated based on world standard population of 2000. RESULTS The average EC mortality was 54.7/105 in males and 31.6/105 in females over the 6 years. A decline in EC mortality with time was observed in both genders, with a rate of -8.70% per year (95% CI: -13.23%~-3.93%) in females and -4.11% per year (95%CI: -11.16%~3.50%) in males. CONCLUSION EC mortality decreased over the six years in both genders, although it remained high in the Yanting area. There is still a need to carry out studies of risk factors for improved cancer prevention and further reduction in the disease burden.
A Unique Pattern of Mesothelial-Mesenchymal Transition Induced in the Normal Peritoneal Mesothelium by High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

The study was designed to establish whether high aggressiveness of high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells (HGSOCs), which display rapid growth, advanced stage at diagnosis and the highest mortality among all epithelial ovarian cancer histotypes, may be linked with a specific pattern of mesothelial-mesenchymal transition (MMT) elicited by these cells in normal peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs). Experiments were performed on primary PMCs, stable and primary ovarian cancer cells, tumors from patients with ovarian cancer, and laboratory animals. Results of in vitro and in vivo tests showed that MMT triggered by HGSOCs (primary cells and OVCAR-3 line) is far more pronounced than the process evoked by cells representing less aggressive ovarian cancer histotypes (A2780, SKOV-3). Mechanistically, HGSOCs induce MMT via Smad 2/3, ILK, TGF-β1, HGF, and IGF-1, whereas A2780 and SKOV-3 cells via exclusively Smad 2/3 and HGF. The conditioned medium from PMCs undergoing MMT promoted the progression of cancer cells and the effects exerted by the cells triggered to undergo MMT by the HGSOCs were significantly stronger than those related to the activity of their less aggressive counterparts. Our findings indicate that MMT in PMCs provoked by HGSOCs is stronger, proceeds via different mechanisms and has more procancerous characteristics than MMT provoked by less aggressive cancer histotypes, which may at least partly explain high aggressiveness of HGSOCs.
Review of milk and dairy programmes affecting nutrition

This review examined milk programmes affecting nutrition in developing countries through multiple pathways. Four programme typologies were identified: dairy production and agriculture, school-based, fortified milk and milk powder and blended foods. Evidence was rated by inference level with plus signs indicating positive design features: probability (1), plausibility (2) and adequacy (3). Six of the 24 studies were rated 1, demonstrating a causal link between milk intervention and nutrition outcome. High-quality evaluations and cost-effectiveness analyses are needed. Milk programming that capitalises on its nutritional advantages, positive public perception and complementary poverty reduction strategies shows potential for improving nutrition globally.
Post hoc analysis: use and dangers in perspective

Dangers and advantages of post hoc analysis Post hoc analysis is of major importance in the generation of hypotheses. However, the hypothesis is created by the analysis and has not been proved by any 'experiment'. In some circumstances the conclusion derived from a post hoc analysis is entirely appropriate. For example, it was the only method used by Crick and Watson for determining the structure of DNA. In other circumstances, however, the results will be misleading. Weed for caution with interpretation The results of a post hoc analysis should be viewed with considerable scepticism and, in advance of confirmation by other appropriately designed prospective
Estimating the Demand for Housing, Land, and Neighbourhood Characteristics

This paper provides estimates of the structure of demand for individual housing and neighborhood characteristics and for land in two British cities. The authors estimate a hedonic price function, and from this obtain the implicit prices of house attributes. These prices are used to estimate a demand system for each city. These perform well, and enable them to calculate price and income elasticities for each of the nondichotomous characteristics and for land. To counteract criticisms of demand estimates derived within the hedonic framework a method is developed for selecting an appropriate set of instrumental variables. Estimates derived from this method, however, differ only slightly from those obtained using the conventional techniques. Several features of these estimates provide insights into the unusual characteristics of the British housing market, the effects of constraints imposed by land use planning, and the effects of changing income distribution on the structure of demand. Copyright 1998 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Do Variants in GSTs Modify the Association between Traffic Air Pollution and Asthma in Adolescence?

Polymorphisms in genes involved in the oxidative stress response may partially explain the documented heterogeneous associations between traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) exposure and asthma and allergies in children. We investigated whether the GSTT1, GSTM1 and GSTP1 gene polymorphisms modified the associations between TRAP exposure during the first year of life and asthma, wheeze and hay fever in adolescence. We used a birth cohort of 620 high risk infants from the Melbourne Atopy Cohort Study. TRAP exposure during the first year of life was defined as the cumulative length of major roads within 150 m of each participant’s residence during the first year of life. Wheeze, asthma and hay fever were measured at ages 12 (n = 370) and 18 (n = 434) years. The associations and interactions with glutathione S-transferases (GST s) were investigated using regression models. Overall, there was no relationship between TRAP exposure during the first year of life and current asthma, wheeze and hay fever at ages 12 or 18 years. However, in GSTT1 null carriers, every 100 m increase in cumulative lengths of major road exposure during the first year of life was associated with a 2.31-fold increased risk of wheeze and a 2.15-fold increased risk of asthma at 12 years. TRAP is associated with some respiratory outcomes in carriers of genetic polymorphisms in oxidative stress metabolism genes.
Determinants of Faculty Research Productivity in Augustinian Higher Education Institutions in Luzon

This study assessed the determinants of faculty research productivity in Augustinian higher education institutions (HEIs) in Luzon. Findings of the study suggest that there is still a need for Augustinian HEIs in Luzon to further advance the faculty members’ educational experiences and background in research particularly in giving exposures to current professional literature and in the dissemination of research findings. Majority of the higher education faculty of Augustinian higher education institutions has recognized the value of scholarship as shown by their interest in doing research and taking small steps in attaining real work of research scholar. The findings of the study indicate that there is so much that can be desired in terms of improving the research productivity of the faculty members of Augustinian schools. Faculty research productivity in Augustinian HEIs in Luzon is significantly influenced by the extent of research promotion of institutions in terms of promotion of the research environment and providing mentors’ assistance. Just like any other Philippine HEIs, Augustinian schools haggle similar problems and issues on research productivity such as budget availability, institutional support mechanism and others. Keywords - Research productivity, Augustinian higher education institutions, Determinants, Faculty member, Research
TRICHOME BIREFRINGENCE and Its Homolog AT5G01360 Encode Plant-Specific DUF231 Proteins Required for Cellulose Biosynthesis in Arabidopsis1[W][OA]

The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) trichome birefringence (tbr) mutant has severely reduced crystalline cellulose in trichomes, but the molecular nature of TBR was unknown. We determined TBR to belong to the plant-specific DUF231 domain gene family comprising 46 members of unknown function in Arabidopsis. The genes harbor another plant-specific domain, called the TBL domain, which contains a conserved GDSL motif known from some esterases/lipases. TBR and TBR-like3 (TBL3) are transcriptionally coordinated with primary and secondary CELLULOSE SYNTHASE (CESA) genes, respectively. The tbr and tbl3 mutants hold lower levels of crystalline cellulose and have altered pectin composition in trichomes and stems, respectively, tissues generally thought to contain mainly secondary wall crystalline cellulose. In contrast, primary wall cellulose levels remain unchanged in both mutants as measured in etiolated tbr and tbl3 hypocotyls, while the amount of esterified pectins is reduced and pectin methylesterase activity is increased in this tissue. Furthermore, etiolated tbr hypocotyls have reduced length with swollen epidermal cells, a phenotype characteristic for primary cesa mutants or the wild type treated with cellulose synthesis inhibitors. Taken together, we show that two TBL genes contribute to the synthesis and deposition of secondary wall cellulose, presumably by influencing the esterification state of pectic polymers.
A phase II and pharmacokinetic study of weekly 72-h topotecan infusion in patients with platinum-resistant and paclitaxel-resistant ovarian carcinoma.

BACKGROUND As suggested by preclinical trials, prolonged administration of topotecan, a reversible inhibitor of topoisomerase-I, may have a therapeutic advantage. Following a phase I trial of weekly 72-h topotecan infusion, we performed a phase II trial utilizing this schedule in ovarian carcinoma. METHODS Eligibility included platinum-/paclitaxel-resistant ovarian carcinoma, measurable disease, and adequate hematologic, renal, and hepatic function. A dose of 2.0 mg/m(2) of topotecan was administered as a 72-h infusion weekly via an ambulatory pump. Plasma topotecan concentrations were determined prior to and at the completion of each weekly course. RESULTS Twenty-four patients were entered and 23 patients were evaluable for toxicity and response. Two hundred eighteen weekly courses of therapy were administered (median 7 weeks, range 4-46 weeks). Toxicity was mild with grade 3 leukopenia, neutropenia, and anemia occurring in 13, 13, and 17% of patients, respectively. Two of 23 patients (9.1%) (CI 1-28%) had partial responses of 2 and 3 months' duration and 6 had stable disease. Steady state plasma topotecan lactone concentrations were a median of 1.2 ng/ml (range 0.4-8.00 ng/ml) following the first week of infusion. Steady state topotecan lactone concentrations after the first week of infusion were highest in 2 patients with partial responses. Mean steady state plasma topotecan lactone concentrations after the first week of infusion were 4.6, 2.0, and 1.3 ng/ml for partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease, respectively. An analysis of variance of steady state plasma topotecan concentrations after the first week of infusion over all administered cycles demonstrated a significant difference in steady state plasma topotecan lactone concentrations between patients with partial response and stable disease and between partial response and no response (significant at the 0.05 level after adjustment for multiple comparisons). Controlling for cycle number, steady state topotecan lactone concentrations are significantly greater for patients with responding or stable disease than those with progressive disease (P = 0.0003) and have a lower bound of > or = 1.9 ng/ml (95% confidence level). CONCLUSION Steady state topotecan lactone concentrations are associated with responding or stable disease in platinum- and paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer. Steady state topotecan concentrations could potentially be utilized to modify tumor exposure and response.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) The long-term fate of the hip arthrodesis : does it remain a valid procedure for selected cases in the 21 st century ?

Even in current orthopaedic practice, some cases are still not suitable candidates for hip replacement and hip fusion remains the only option in these highly selected patients. In this retrospective study we describe the long-term clinical outcome, quality of life and radiological evaluation of all adjacent joints in a cohort of 47 hip fusions. The main objective of our study was to show the long-term effects of a fusion. Thirty patients were analysed after an average of 18.2 years (range 6.2– 30.5 years) with a mean SMFA of 31.2 (range 9–70). The VAS for pain for the fused hip was an average 1.9 (range 0–8), for the contralateral hip 2.0 (0–8), for the ipsilateral knee 2.0 (0–8), for the contralateral knee 1.8 (0–8) and for the lower back 3.6 (0–8). Average walking distance was 115 minutes (range 10– unlimited). Although the hip arthrodesis has lost popularity, it still is an option for the young patient with severe hip disorders, while leaving the possibility to perform a THA at a later stage. If the arthrodesis is performed with an optimal alignment of the leg, complaints from the adjacent joints are minimal, even in the long-term, and an acceptable quality of life can be obtained. We believe that in highly selected cases a hip fusion, even in current practice, is still a valid option.
Betriebliche Weiterbildung Älterer als Strategie zur Sicherung des Fachkräftebedarfs

Abstract Betriebe haben verschiedene Moglichkeiten, einem bestehenden oder zu erwartenden Fachkraftebedarf zu begegnen. Eine dieser Strategien besteht darin, altere, qualifizierte Mitarbeiter im Betrieb zu halten. Weiterbildung ist dabei ein wichtiges Mittel, um die Beschaftigungsfahigkeit aufrecht zu erhalten und die Qualifikationen den neuesten Entwicklungen anzupassen. Der Beitrag gibt einen naheren Einblick in das Weiterbildungsverhalten von Betrieben Alteren gegenuber, wobei insbesondere der potenzielle Einfluss von Rekrutierungsschwierigkeiten thematisiert wird. Empirische Analysen auf Basis der Daten des IAB-Betriebspanels zeigen, dass Betriebe eher dann in das Humankapital ihrer alteren Mitarbeiter investieren, wenn sie befurchten, ihren Qualifikationsbedarf auf dem externen Arbeitsmarkt nicht decken zu konnen. Further Training for older Employees as a Response to skilled Labour Shortages Establishments have different opportunities to overcome a shortage of skilled workers. One of these strategi.