Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Picosecond rotation of small polar fluorophores in the cytosol of sea urchin eggs.

A new fluorescence method to measure viscosity in cell cytosol [Fushimi, K. , & Verkman, A. S. (1991) J. Cell Biol. 112, 719-725] has been applied to determine fluid-phase viscosity in sea urchin eggs. Freshly harvested eggs from Lytechinus pictus were loaded with the dyes 2,7-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6-)carboxyfluorescein (BCECF), 6-carboxyfluorescein (6CF), fluorescein, or calcein. Fluorescence lifetimes and anisotropy decay were measured in single eggs by multiharmonic, frequency-domain microfluorometry using a 1-2-micron focused laser spot and 25x air objective. In calibration solutions consisting of glycerol in pH 8 buffered sea water, probe lifetime was single exponential and probe rotation was isotropic with a single correlation time which increased linearly with viscosity in the range 1-3.6 cP. In eggs at 22 degrees C, there were single lifetimes (in nanoseconds) of 3.6 (BCECF), 3.4 (6CF), 3.2 (fluorescein), and 3.3 (calcein). Probe rotation in eggs had two components, a fast component (in picoseconds, mean +/- SE, 10-18 eggs) of 568 +/- 39 (BCECF), 311 +/- 21 (6CF), 313 +/- 15 (fluorescein), and 516 +/- 44 (calcein) and a slow component of 10-40 ns. The fractional amplitude of the fast component, corresponding to unbound dye, was 0.72-0.81. Apparent viscosities of fluid-phase cytoplasm (centipoises) given by the four different probes were in good agreement: 2.3 +/- 0.2 (BCECF), 2.1 +/- 0.1 (6CF), 2.5 +/- 0.1 (fluorescein), and 2.3 +/- 0.2 (calcein). The viscosity in cytosol of sea urchin eggs (2.1-2.5 cP) is thus relatively low, yet significantly greater than that of water (1 cP) or cytosol in cultured fibroblasts (1.2-1.4 cP). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
An Evaluation of Inflation Forecasts from Surveys Using Real-Time Data

This paper carries out the task of evaluating inflation forecasts from the Livingston Survey and the Survey of Professional Forecasters, using the Real-Time Data Set for Macroeconomists as a source of real-time data. We examine the magnitude and patterns of revisions to the inflation rate based on the output price index. We then run tests on the forecasts from the surveys to see how good they are. We find that there are several episodes in which forecasters made persistent forecast errors, but the episodes are so short that by the time they can be identified, they have nearly disappeared. Thus, improving on the survey forecasts seems to be very difficult in real time, and the attempt to do so leads to increased forecast errors.
Prevalence of Self-Neglect across Gender, Race, and Socioeconomic Status: Findings from the Chicago Health and Aging Project

Background: Self-neglect is the behavior of an elderly person that threatens his/her own health and safety, and it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, the scope of the self-neglect in the community population remains unclear. We examined the prevalence of self-neglect and its specific behaviors of hoarding, hygiene and other environmental hazards in a community-dwelling elderly population. Methods: A population-based cohort study conducted from 2007 to 2010 in a single cycle in a geographically defined community of 4 adjacent neighborhoods in Chicago, Ill. , USA. Participant’s personal and home environment was rated on hoarding, personal hygiene, house in need of repair, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate utility. Prevalence estimates were presented across gender, race/ethnicity, education and income levels. Results: There were 4,627 older adults in the cohort. The prevalence of self-neglect and specific personal and environmental hazards varied significantly by race/ethnicity and by levels of education and income. For race/ethnicity, black older adults (men 13.2%; women 10.9%) had a significantly higher prevalence of self-neglect than white older adults (men 2.4%; women 2.6%). For those with less than high school education, the prevalence of the self-neglect was 14.7% in men and 10.9% in women. For those with an annual income of less than USD 15,000, the prevalence of self-neglect was 21.7% in men and 15.3% in women. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-neglect and specific behaviors of hoarding, poor hygiene, and other environmental hazards are higher among black older adults and among those with lower levels of education and income.
Antibacterial Activity of Lincomycin and Pristinamycin: A Comparison with Erythromycin

The secretion of gastric intrinsic factor was studied in normal subjects and in hospital patients. A considerable amount of intrinsic factor was present in gastric juice secreted in the absence of any stimulant, and this amount was normally far in excess of that required for the absorption of dietary vitamin B12' Histamine and insulin were equally effective as stimulants of gastric-intrinsic-factor secretion, but carbachol did not produce an increase in secretion above the pre-injection level. The increased secretion of intrinsic factor following either histamine or insulin preceded the secretion of both acid and pepsin.
Generation of clusters of free eosinophil granules (Cfegs) in seasonal allergic rhinitis

Generation of clusters of free eosinophil granules (Cfegs), through lysis of eosinophils, has recently been proposed as a major paradigm for ultimate activation of airway mucosal eosinophils. In the present study involving patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, we have investigated whether generation of Cfegs in the nasal mucosa is a feature of allergic rhinitis. Nasal mucosal biopsies were obtained before and late in a birch‐pollen season, and were subjected to histochemical staining of eosinophil peroxidase. In biopsies obtained before the pollen season, a few, intact eosinophils were observed, and Cfegs were scarce. In biopsies taken during the pollen season, the numbers of eosinophils were increased about 10‐fold (P<0.05) and the Cfegs about 25‐fold (P<0.05). We conclude that generation of Cfegs is a significant feature of seasonal allergic rhinitis and that this process represents the ultimate activation of mucosal eosinophils in this disease.
The Accuracy of Population Projections for Subcounty Areas

Abstract Population projections for subcounty areas often are made by extrapolating past population trends. Although more sophisticated methods exist and population extrapolations long have been criticized for their weak theoretical foundations, they remain an extremely popular planning tool in part because constraints of data, time, funds, and expertise make the more sophisticated methods infeasible. The objective of this research was to document the level of accuracy of a number of commonly used extrapolative methods and, thereby, to offer suggestions for their use. For example, exponential extrapolation was found to be most accurate for rapidly growing or declining areas, whereas linear extrapolation was most accurate for moderately growing areas. More than thirty-five hundred simulated population projections for 1960 and 1970 were made for most of the methods being tested. Then the simulated projections were compared to the actual populations to measure percentage errors and tendencies to over- or und.
Recruitment of glutathione into the nucleus during cell proliferation adjusts whole-cell redox homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana and lowers the oxidative defence shield.

Cellular redox homeostasis and signalling are important in progression of the eukaryotic cell cycle. In animals, the low-molecular-weight thiol tripeptide glutathione (GSH) is recruited into the nucleus early in the cell proliferation cycle. To determine whether a similar process occurs in plants, we studied cell proliferation in Arabidopsis thaliana. We show that GSH co-localizes with nuclear DNA during the proliferation of A. thaliana cells in culture. Moreover, GSH localization in the nucleus was observed in dividing pericycle cells of the lateral root meristem. There was pronounced accumulation of GSH in the nucleus at points in the growth cycle at which a high percentage of the cells were in G(1) phase, as identified by flow cytometry and marker transcripts. Recruitment of GSH into the nucleus led to a high abundance of GSH in the nucleus (GSHn) and severe depletion of the cytoplasmic GSH pool (GSHc). Sequestration of GSH in the nucleus was accompanied by significant decreases in transcripts associated with oxidative signalling and stress tolerance, and an increase in the abundance of hydrogen peroxide, an effect that was enhanced when the dividing cells were treated with salicylic acid. Total cellular GSH and the abundance of GSH1 and GSH2 transcripts increased after the initial recruitment of GSH into the nucleus. We conclude that GSH recruitment into the nucleus during cell proliferation has a profound effect on the whole-cell redox state. High GSHn levels trigger redox adjustments in the cytoplasm, favouring decreased oxidative signalling and enhanced GSH synthesis.
Has the British National Health Service (NHS) got talent? A process evaluation of the NHS talent management strategy?

In 2004, the British National Health Service (NHS), an organisation with one of the largest workforces in the world, adopted a new approach to identifying and developing managers, which was refreshed in 2009 with ‘guidance for NHS talent and leadership plans'. This paper explores the introduction of talent management (TM) in the British NHS, focusing on process evaluation. It discusses the introduction of TM in the NHS before examining the stated principles, objectives and measures of TM in the NHS. It draws on a mix of research methods, including a literature review, focus groups, qualitative interviews with policy-makers, qualitative interviews with managers, a questionnaire survey, and qualitative interviews in high performing organisations. It is found that there are a number of issues that may undermine the TM strategy, including unclear definitions, conflicting principles, problematic measures; exclusive focus, sustainability; and lack of necessary infrastructure, culture and data.
How Important are Financial Frictions in the United States and the Euro Area?

This paper aims to evaluate whether frictions in credit markets are important for business cycles in the United States and the euro area. I modify the DSGE financial accelerator model developed by Bernanke, Gertler and Gilchrist (1999) by adding such frictions as price indexation to past inflation, sticky wages, consumption habits and variable capital utilization. When estimating the model using Bayesian methods, I find that financial frictions are relevant in both areas. According to the posterior odds ratio, the data clearly favor the model with financial frictions, both in the United States and the euro area. Moreover, financial frictions are larger in the euro area.
New Product Introduction: Timing, Design, and Pricing

In this paper, we consider the case when two profit-maximizing firms enter a new market with a competing product that has a finite (and known) life cycle. Both firms make design decisions simultaneously without information about the other firm's decisions. The order of entry is a function of the two firms' product design levels and design capabilities. The first firm entering the market sets a monopoly price for its product and enjoys a monopoly situation until the second firm enters the market. When the second firm enters the market, both firms simultaneously set (or reset) their product prices knowing the design of both products at that time (and we assume those prices are fixed for the remainder of the product's life). We develop a game-theoretic model that represents the new product introduction process and show that a subgame-perfect Nash equilibrium occurs under certain conditions defined by the expected product life span, product cost, development time, and customer preferences. Our model shows that product differentiation always arises at equilibrium due to the joint effects of resource utilization, price competition, and product life cycle.A critical parameter for our model is a product-specific indexB that we define; we show how it can be easily calculated from existing data. We then use a numerical example to illustrate managerial implications for a new product development process when the product life span is finite. We show that the strategy of time-based competition is the natural result of firms' improving development capability, reducing product cost, and increasing customer preference. In other words, it is not wise for profit-maximizing firms to arbitrarily shorten product life cycle for the sake of competition, because all firms are worse off. Our results also indicate that the first entrant into the market does not necessarily earn the greatest profit, and that a firm with low-cost advantage or fast design capability might not choose to come to market first to maximize its profit in the product life cycle.
Non-Linear Dependence in Stock Returns: Evidences from India

This paper examines non-linear dependence in Indian stock returns using a set of non-linearity tests. The daily data between 1997 and 2009 for eight indices from National Stock Exchange (NSE) and six indices from Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) are used. The results suggest strong evidence of non-linear structure in stock returns. The non-linear dependence, however, is not consistent throughout the sample period as indicated by windowed Hinich test [1996, Journal of Non-parametric Statistics, 6, 205-221] suggesting episodic nonlinear dependence in Indian stock returns. The existence of episodic non-linear dependency is associated with events such as uncertainties in international oil prices, sub-prime crisis followed by global economic meltdown, and political uncertainties among others.
BLOOD FLOW DYNAMICS CHARACTERISTICS BASED ON PLETHYSMOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS

Methods that allow the precocious detection of vascular dysfunction are extremely important for cardiovascular diseases prevention. Macedo et al. [1] proposed a mathematical model of flow decay along time post-reactive hyperemia. The blood flow decay could be explained by a three terms mathematical function: an exponential, a sinusoidal and a constant term. This model was able to identify flow decay differences between pre and post exercise conditions. However, the number of experimental flow data, nine, was considered insufficient by the authors. The present work used the model proposed by [1] in a large number (twenty nine) of flow measurements, and compare the flow behavior among placebo and ibuprofen experimental groups. The exponential term represented appropriately the flow decay. None of the model parameters was able to distinguish vascular function differences among groups.
Elaborating the Contingency Theory of Organizations: The Case of Manufacturing Flexibility Strategies

What determines which manufacturing flexibility strategies are feasible and which are not? In this paper, I build both theoretical and empirical understanding of task‐environmental contingencies that may either enable or constrain the selection of various flexibility strategies. The special emphasis is on the various plant‐level actions that are used to seek manufacturing flexibility. Demand uncertainty and variability, technology, and competitive strategy emerge as the most important contingencies, although not in ways that are immediately apparent. Finally, managerial implications at both the corporate as well as manufacturing unit levels are discussed.
AN IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE OF FOREIGN MARKET ENTRY CHOICES BY SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES

A firm's performance in the host country to a great extent depends on its mode of market entry. Most research in the area of foreign market entry mode choice has concentrated on large firms or multi-national enterprises. This paper examines the effects of different foreign market entry modes on the performance of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in Australia and Singapore. The data from a sample of 104 SMEs suggests that four market entry modes - licensing, manufacturing/wholly-owned subsidiary, franchising, and acquisition significantly impact performance. It was found that Singaporean firms were more likely to use these market entry modes than their Australia counterparts. This study also reveals that good performers tend to be relatively internationalised, in better control over their export channels, less dependent on industry information sources, and more concerned over loss of proprietary rights to knowledge. Implications of the findings for research and practice are also discussed.
Human muscle‐derived cell injection in a rat model of stress urinary incontinence

We investigated the use of human muscle‐derived cells (hMDCs) for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in a nude rat model. hMDCs were isolated from adult skeletal muscle. Three groups of six animals consisting of controls, animals undergoing sciatic nerve transection (SNT) with periurethral sham‐injection, and SNT with hMDCs (1 × 106 cells/20 μl saline) were utilized. Leak point pressure (LPP) was measured 4 weeks following injection. Bilateral SNT resulted in a significantly lower LPP that was significantly higher following hMDCs than sham injection. The results demonstrate the efficacy of human muscle cell therapy alone in improving physiologic outcomes in an animal model of SUI. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Unequal Trade: The Economics of Discriminatory International Trade Policies

PART I: Historical and Institutional Background 2. Evolution of the Most-favored Nation Principle up to 1929. 3. Commercial Policies in the Thirties. 4. Non-discrimination in the GATT. 5. BOP-motivated Discrimination 1947-58 PART II: Theoretical and Empirical Analysis of Discriminatory Trading Arrangements 6. Theoretical Analysis I - the "Mainstream" from Viner to the JCM Proposition. 7. Theoretical Analysis II - Extending the Model. 8. Empirical Studies PART III: The Political Economy of International Discrimination 9. Why do Discriminatory Arrangements Exist. 10. Consequence for the International Trading System 11. Summary and Prospects.
High levels of endogenous estrogens are associated with death in the critically injured adult.

BACKGROUND Sex hormones exhibit predictable changes in their physiologic patterns during critical illness. Endogenous estrogens are elevated in both genders as a result of the peripheral conversion of androgens to estrogens by the aromatase enzyme. Elevated endogenous estrogens have been associated with death in medical and mixed surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Our objective was to determine the relationship between endogenous estrogens and outcomes in critically injured patients. METHODS A prospective cohort of injured patients remaining in the ICU for at least 48 hours at two trauma centers was enrolled. Sex hormones (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, prolactin, and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate) were assayed and mortality was assessed. A logistic regression model was used to determine the association between estradiol and death. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was used to estimate the accuracy of estradiol in predicting death. RESULTS Nine hundred ninety-one patients were enrolled with a 13.4% mortality rate. Despite no detectable difference in mortality among genders, estradiol was significantly elevated in nonsurvivors (16 pg/mL vs. 35 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Estradiol was a marker for injury severity with the most severely injured patients exhibiting the highest levels. The ability of estradiol to predict death (AUROC = 0.65) was comparable with Trauma and Injury Severity Score (AUROC = 0.65) and superior to Injury Severity Score (AUROC = 0.54) in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS Serum estradiol is a marker of injury severity and a predictor of death in the critically injured patient, regardless of gender. Whether or not estradiol plays a causal role in outcomes is unclear, but estrogen modulation represents a potential therapy for improving outcomes in critically ill trauma patients.
Export Led Growth vs. Growth Led Exports: LDCs Experience

Previous studies that investigated the export led growth hypothesis, relied upon Granger or Sims causality detection approach. Since these approaches employ first differenced variables, any inference could be short-run in nature. In this paper we consider the relation between exports and economic growth to be a long-run phenomenon. After applying Johansen's cointegration technique to establish the long-run relationship between exports and output (in presence of other factors), we rely upon weak exogeneity tests proposed by Johansen to establish exogeneity of exports or output. Annual data over 1960-99 period from 61 countries are used for analysis. The results are country specific and there is no uniform pattern.
Fiscal Integration and Growth Stimulation in Europe

With the current sovereign debt crisis, the incompleteness of economic integration in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) has become patent, leading to an intense debate among academics and policy makers. Much of the debate concerns fiscal rules and austerity measures, both of which weigh on growth prospects. In this paper we look at the main structural shortcomings of EMU through the lens of general equilibrium theory. We address two issues (international sharing of macroeconomic risks and coordinated growth stimulation) which are at the heart of the sustainability of EMU. We propose: (A) a specific scheme for mutual insurance of macroeconomic risks; (B) locating responsibility for demand policies at the EMU level, with ambitious investment programs (public, or fiscally-neutral private) as main instrument.
An innovative approach to measuring the success of total quality programmes in manufacturing industries

Since the adoption of total quality management (TQM) became a pursuit of companies in search of a remedy to declining sales and an eroding competitive position, there has been a plethora of articles evaluating the success or lack thereof of total quality programmes. Furthermore, there have been numerous attempts to assess the presence of total quality (TQ) in any given organization. More often than not, the companies themselves have conducted these measurements in order to gauge the success of their own quality initiatives. Most of these measurements revolved around surveys, questionnaires or other subjective instruments that, for the most part, evaluated customer satisfaction, which was only one aspect, albeit an important one, of total quality management. The establishment of a standardized measure has also met with mixed results. The use of criteria such as winning quality awards or receiving quality standards certi® cation has proved unreliable. A number of companies won awards only to meet with severe ® nancial setbacks within a short period of time. Conversely, many companies have succeeded in using the awards as a stepping stone to even greater excellence and a subsequent competitive advantage. The purpose of the research was to identify quanti® able, system-wide factors that could be used to indicate the presence of TQ. Since previous literature and ® eldwork utilized subjective measures, the problem of erroneous perceptions of the presence of quality was prevalent. Companies professed to have total quality when it was evident they did not, and in some cases the reverse was true. More importantly, without quanti® able measures it was diYcult for an organization to verify the success of its quality initiatives. This paper describes the design, development and testing of a non-subjective, quantitative model that can be used to indicate the presence and evaluate the eVectiveness of a TQM programme in manufacturing organizations. It employs the novel approach of utilizing inventory performance as a measure of TQ. More speci® cally, the research had as its objective to determine whether inventory performance is a valid measurement tool for assessing TQ levels.