Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in Mouse Islet Transplantation

Background. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine produced by many tissues including pancreatic &bgr;-cells. Methods. This study investigates the impact of MIF on islet transplantation using MIF knock-out (MIFko) mice. Results. Early islet function, assessed with a syngeneic marginal islet mass transplant model, was enhanced when using MIFko islets (P<0.05 compared with wild-type [WT] controls). This result was supported by increased in vitro resistance of MIFko islets to apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotide tranferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay), and by improved glucose metabolism (lower blood glucose levels, reduced glucose areas under curve and higher insulin release during intraperitoneal glucose challenges, and in vitro in the absence of MIF, P<0.01). The beneficial impact of MIFko islets was insufficient to delay allogeneic islet rejection. However, the rejection of WT islet allografts was marginally delayed in MIFko recipients by 6 days when compared with WT recipient (P<0.05). This effect is supported by the lower activity of MIF-deficient macrophages, assessed in vitro and in vivo by cotransplantation of islet/macrophages. Leukocyte infiltration of the graft and donor-specific lymphocyte activity (mixed lymphocyte reaction, interferon &ggr; ELISPOT) were similar in both groups. Conclusion. These data indicate that targeting MIF has the potential to improve early function after syngeneic islet transplantation, but has only a marginal impact on allogeneic rejection.
Comparison of Genetic Algorithms and Other Classification Methods in the Diagnosis of Female Urinary Incontinence

Abstract Galactica, a newly developed machine-learning system that utilizes a genetic algorithm for learning, was compared with discriminant analysis, logistic regression, k-means cluster analysis, a C4.5 decision-tree generator and a random bit climber hill-climbing algorithm. The methods were evaluated in the diagnosis of female urinary incontinence in terms of prediction accuracy of classifiers, on the basis of patient data. The best methods were discriminant analysis, logistic regression, C4.5 and Galactica. Practically no statistically significant differences existed between the prediction accuracy of these classification methods. We consider that machine-learning systems C4.5 and Galactica are preferable for automatic construction of medical decision aids, because they can cope with missing data values directly and can present a classifier in a comprehensible form. Galactica performed nearly as well as C4.5. The results are in agreement with the results of earlier research, indicating that genetic algorithms are a competitive method for constructing classifiers from medical data.
German Banks and Corporate Governance - a Critical View

It is the aim of this paper to take issue with the wide-spread belief that blockholdings - mainly by banks - in large German companies are suited to mitigate the free-rider problem of corporate control. This fundamental misunderstanding, especially popular among Anglo-American academic circles, is the result of the erroneous belief that German banks are located at the top of a hierarchically structured network of shareholdings and are acting in the interest of their own private shareholders. In reality, large German banks are sheltered from outside pressures by a dense network of cross-holdings, proxy votes and underdeveloped disclosure obligations. Therefore, bank managers are not forced to pursue a value maximizing investment and monitoring policy. Furthermore, one would expect that such a tight network of capital and personal relationships enhances collusion among management of all involved companies. In the first part of the paper it is shown that the German system of mutual shareholdings is dense and far-reaching. In the second part of the paper, we analyze newly introduced stock option programs. The findings suggest that there is indeed a great danger of collusion among managers tied together by a system of cross-holdings. Stock options are especially prone to collusive agreements because of the lack of relevant disclosure obligations and the almost complete absence of any understanding of these instruments. As we find out in our case-oriented analysis, stock option programs are more likely to be used as an instrument to exploit shareholders, if the company is bank-dominated or sheltered from capital market pressures through other arrangements. In companies with influential private shareholders, executive compensation by means of stock options was found to be incentive compatible. In order to support our view, in the final part of the paper the impact of bank control on the economic performance of industrial companies is analyzed from an empirical perspective. By measuring bank control in terms of long-run equity holdings of the financial sector we found out that there is a significant difference between bank-dominated companies and a control group in terms of total shareholder returns.
Foreign Direct Investment: Analysis of Aggregate Flows

Economists tend to favor the free �ow of capital across national borders, because it allows capital to seek out the highest rate of return. Unrestricted capital �ows may also o¤er several advantages, as noted by Feldstein (2000). First, international �ows reduce the risk faced by owners of capital by al- lowing them to diversify their lending and investment. Second, the global integration of capital markets can contribute to the spread of best practices in corporate governance, accounting standards, and legal traditions. Third, the global mobility of capital limits the ability of governments to pursue bad policies. 1
Service Breakthroughs: Changing the Rules of the Game (Прорыв в сфере услуг: изменение правил игры)

What Do Citicorp, UPS and Marriott have in common? They are "breakthrough" service providers, firms that changed the rules of the game in their respective industries by consistently meeting or exceeding customer needs and expectations. To find out how these companies do it, service management experts James Heskett, Earl Sasser, and Christopher Hart put the question to the chief executive officers of fifteen of America's leading service firms attending a workshop at the Harvard Business School. Breakthrough leaders, they discovered, think very differently about their businesses than do their competitors, in distinct and well-defined ways. Now, in Service Breakthroughs, based upon five years of exhaustive research in fourteen service industries, Heskett, Sasser, and Hart show exactly what enables one or two companies in each industry to constantly set new standards for quality and value that force competitors to adapt or fail. At the heart of breakthrough performance, the authors contend, is a sometimes intuitive but thorough understanding of the "self-reinforcing service cycle" that replaces traditional management of "trade-offs. " The "cycle" is a paradigm derived from the research results suggesting direct links between heightened customer satisfaction, increased customer retention, augmented sales and profit, improved quality and productivity, greater service value per unit of cost, improved satisfaction of service providers, increased employee retention, and further heightened customer satisfaction. With detailed examples and dramatic case studies of Mark Twain Bancshares, American Airlines, Florida Power & Light, Federal Express, McDonald's and many other companies, Heskett, Sasser, and Hart show how this self-reinforcing cycle of behavior differentiates breakthrough leaders from their "merely good" competitors. The authors describe how breakthrough managers develop counterintuitive, even contrarian, strategic service visions. These companies define their "service concept" in terms of results achieved for customers rather than services performed. They target market segments by focusing on psychographics - how customers think and behave - instead of demographics. And instead of viewing a service delivery system as a facility where the service is producted and sold, breakthrough firms see it as an opportunity to enhance the quality of the service. These profound differences in thought and action have brought spectacular results. For managers who wish to set the pace in their service industries, Service Breakthroughs will be essential reading.
Selected dimensions of service gender: a study of perceptions of Generation Y

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate how changes in technology and gender roles have changed Generation Y’s (Gen Y) perception of the gender of services from previous studies. Although the past 20 years have seen substantial changes in service delivery methods in addition to changes in the traditional roles of gender and households, in many ways, businesses continue to deliver products and services to their customers using traditional marketing techniques. Design/methodology/approach – Survey data were collected using a sample of 190 responses. Findings – Results indicate that consumers will consistently identify services as having gender, that consumers will rate service gender consistent with the perceived typical consumer of a service and that consumers will rate service gender consistent with the gender of their front-line employee. Online/automated services are also gendered. High-contact services have stronger gender identity than low-contact services. Congruence of consumer and service gender i.
Comparison of earth return approaches on modeling of underground cables

This paper investigates the differences that occur in the propagation characteristics of underground cables, calculated using two individual earth return approaches. The first approach assumes that the influence of the imperfect earth is taken into account only on the cable impedances, using the well known Pollaczek-Sunde earth return impedance formula, while in the second model new formulas for the earth return impedance as well as for the earth return admittance are used. From the comparison of the propagation characteristics of a single insulated cable obtained by the two approaches a critical frequency is proposed, showing a frequency limit for the use of the approximate formulation of Pollaczek-Sunde. Finally, the paper discusses the results of transient responses caclulated in the frequency domain for different cases.
Mediating effects in reverse knowledge transfer processes : the case of knowledge-intensive services in the U.K.

Recent contributions highlight the importance of international knowledge transferas a fundamental source of competitive advantage of MNCs. Due to the traditionalassumption that parent firms are the prime source of knowledge, majority ofstudies have focused on knowledge transfer from headquarters to subsidiaries.However, the role of subsidiaries within MNCs has changed dramatically; manysubsidiaries have gained a creative role by generating new resources depending onthe comparative advantage of the location in which they operate, and through theprocess of reverse knowledge transfer, they subsequently contribute to thecompetence upgrading of the MNC. In reviewing the extant literature on MNCknowledge transfer and in particular reverse knowledge transfer, this researchunleashes several gaps, notably in the understanding of factor affecting subsidiaryknowledge development and reverse knowledge transfer within the service sector.Borrowing concepts from the knowledge-based and network views, a series ofhypotheses were tested using the result of a web-based survey of the subsidiariesthat were located in the UK, had a non-UK parent firm, and were active in theKIBS sector. Responses from 187 general managers, managing directors, or chiefexecutives of subsidiaries confirm that those subsidiaries that develop andmaintain business relationships with their internal (sister subsidiaries andheadquarters) and external actors (customers, universities, suppliers, competitors)and have high level of autonomy are more capable of developing knowledge.With regards to determinants of reverse knowledge transfer, while subsidiarycharacteristics (knowledge development and willingness) and relationshipcharacteristics (socialization mechanisms) are emerged as the main facilitators ofreverse knowledge transfer, knowledge characteristics (tacitness and complexity)appeared as the main hindrances of this phenomenon. Moreover, the resultsindicate that, (a) socialisation mechanisms augment the extent of shared valuesand subsidiary-parent firm embeddedness and (b) willingness mediates theimpacts of shared values and subsidiary-parent firm embeddedness on reverseknowledge transfer.The key contributions of this research are two-fold: firstly, it examines the processof reverse knowledge transfer and knowledge development exclusively within theKIBS sector. Secondly, it investigates the joint impacts of relationshipcharacteristics, knowledge characteristics, and subsidiary (sender) characteristicson reverse knowledge transfer.
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty in Patients with Keratoconus: Big-Bubble Technique

Purpose: To evaluate the visual and refractive outcomes after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) using the big-bubble technique in eyes with keratoconus. Methods: In this case series, eyes with moderate to advanced keratoconus underwent DALK. All of them had unacceptable spectacle-corrected visual acuity or were contact lens intolerant. DALK was performed using the big-bubble technique. Full thickness donor cornea without Descemet's membrane (DM) was sutured to the recipient bed with three different suturing techniques. The visual acuity (presented in logMAR), refractive status, intraoperative and postoperative complications were evaluated. Results: A total of 129 consecutive eyes of 121 patients were included. In 3 eyes, the operation was converted to penetrating keratoplasty. Therefore, 126 eyes (79 male) were enrolled in the study. Mean patient age at the time of surgery was 26.08 ± 7.6 years. Mean follow-up period was 21.62 ± 9.0 months. Mean preoperative corrected visual acuity was 1.27 ± 0.4 logMAR, increasing to 0.25 ± 0.2 logMAR at final follow-up examination (P < 0.001). Postoperative mean spherical equivalent refractive error, refractive and keratometric astigmatism were −3.41 ± 3.1 D, 3.04 ± 2.3 D, and 3.67 ± 2.1 D, respectively. Bared DM was achieved in 103 eyes, whereas in 23 eyes pre-Descemet dissection was performed. DM perforation occurred in 5 eyes. The main complications encountered were filamentary keratitis, subepithelial graft rejection, and astigmatism. Conclusions: DALK using the big-bubble technique appears to be a safe and effective procedure for eyes with moderate to advanced keratoconus. In case of extensive intraoperative DM perforation, it does not pose any limitation to ongoing penetrating keratoplasty.
Computational models of financial markets

The three chapters of this thesis share the common theme of computational approaches to modeling financial markets. Chapter 1, “Market Ecologies: The Interaction and Survival of Technical Trading Strategies”, finds its place in the boundedly-rational heterogeneous agent literature. Market prices result from the interaction of fundamental and technical trading strategies. We show that the way in which traders process information is critical in determining the long-run profitability of individual strategies. More realistic auction settings— in which price information is incorporated into trading methods in “real time”—demand computationally demanding techniques. The main conclusion of the chapter is that contrarian technical traders inadvertently mimic the role of arbitrageurs in more realistic auction settings. Chapter 2, “Capital Allocation in a Delegated Trading Model”, develops a model of capital allocation that removes the need for full mean-variance optimization of the firm-level portfolio. The strategies explored within the artificial setting of Chapter 1 are used to test the model against empirical foreign exchange data. We observe that the proposed capital allocation scheme yields economically and statistically significant returns, even when traders choose rules without the benefit of hindsight. Chapter 3, “Portfolio Choice: The Costs and Benefits of Asymmetric Information”, continues the theme of artificial markets, with the auction process departing from the fictitious auctioneer of Chapter 1, toward a market making model in which risk-neutral dealers quote bid-ask spreads to compensate them for the losses incurred by trading with informed agents. We obtain the intriguing result that, in multiple markets, there is an “optimal” level of inside information. In individual markets, portfolio managers incur higher transaction costs as asymmetric information increases, but benefit from an externality at the portfolio level, as inside information aids price discovery.
Estrogenic Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Molecular Mechanisms of Actions on Putative Human Diseases

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC), including phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), phytoestrogens such as genistein and daidzein, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), are associated with a variety of adverse health effects in organisms or progeny by altering the endocrine system. Environmental estrogens, including BPA, phthalates, and phytoestrogens, are the most extensively studied and are considered to mimic the actions of endogenous estrogen, 17β-estradiol (E2). Diverse modes of action of estrogen and estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) have been described, but the mode of action of estrogenic EDC is postulated to be more complex and needs to be more clearly elucidated. This review examines the adverse effects of estrogenic EDC on male or female reproductive systems and molecular mechanisms underlying EDC effects that modulate ER-mediated signaling. Mechanisms of action for estrogenic EDC may involve both ER-dependent and ER-independent pathways. Recent findings from systems toxicology of examining estrogenic EDC are also discussed.
The Effect of Internal Capital Shocks on Manager Behavior: Evidence from Changes in ERISA Pension Accounting Rules

Academics, trade groups, and pension plan sponsors argue that pension obligations constrict investment and lead to economic inefficiencies. Exploiting a 2012 change in the ERISA pension accounting rules that decreased mandatory pension contributions, I find no immediate evidence that capital expenditures, research and development, or cash acquisitions increase. My results suggest that recipients of pension funding relief increase shareholder and debtholder payouts. Shareholder (Debtholder) payouts comprise 15 (47.3) percent of the pension funding relief subsequent to the accounting rule change. In addition, recipients of pension funding relief retain more cash after the rule change. This effect is strongest for firms with higher cash flow uncertainty and for firms without credit ratings, consistent with managers retaining cash in anticipation of future financing needs.
Beta Regimes for the Yield Curve

We propose an affine term structure model which accommodates nonlinearities in the drift and volatility function of the short-term interest rate. Such nonlinearities are a consequence of discrete beta-distributed regime shifts constructed on multiple thresholds. We derive iterative closed-form formula for the whole yield curve dynamics that can be estimated using a linearized Kalman filter. Fitting the model on US data, we collect empirical evidence of its potential in estimating conditional volatility and correlation across yields.
Histological response to injected Polytef and Bioplastique in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE To study, using a rat model, the tissue reaction in response to the migration of particulate plastics injected into the lungs and subcutaneous sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 50 rats were included in the study. Histological examination of 30 rats was carried out up to 6 months after the subcutaneous injection of 0.1 ml of either Polytef or Bioplastique. Specimens from a further 18 rats underwent histological examination up to 3 months after the intravenous injection of 0.01 ml of either Polytef or Bioplastique. Two rats were injected with normal saline to act as controls. Representative sections of multiple organs were taken from each animal. RESULTS No systemic migration from the site of initial implantation was detected. This may have been due either to the animal used or to the limited number of sections taken. However, the intravenously injected plastics were found adjacent to the pulmonary arterioles 3 months after injection. The histological reaction at the local injection and lung sites was similar, with the giant cells being larger and the degree of fibrosis greater for Bioplastique than for Polytef. CONCLUSION The histological reaction to Polytef and Bioplastique was similar in both the subcutaneous and lung sites. No migration or malignant change was seen.
Role of (cid:1) 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor in Calcium Signaling Induced by Prion Protein Interaction with Stress-inducible Protein 1 *

Theprionprotein(PrP C )isaconservedglycosylphosphatidyl-inositol-anchored cell surface protein expressed by neurons and other cells. Stress-inducible protein 1 (STI1) binds PrP C extra-cellularly, and this activated signaling complex promotes neuronal differentiation and neuroprotection via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase 1 (PKA) pathways. However, the mechanism by which the PrP C -STI1 interaction transduces extracellular signals to the intracellular environment is unknown. We found that in hippocampal neurons, STI1-PrP C engagement induces an increase in intracellular Ca 2 (cid:2) levels. This effect was not detected in PrP C -null neurons or wild-type neurons treated withanSTI1mutantunabletobindPrP C . Usingabestcandidate approach to test for potential channels involved in Ca 2 (cid:2) influx evoked by STI1-PrP C , we found that (cid:1) -bungarotoxin, a specific inhibitor for (cid:1) 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ( (cid:1) 7nAChR), was able to block PrP C -STI1-mediated signaling, neuroprotection, and neuritogenesis. Importantly, when (cid:1) 7nAChR was transfected into HEK 293 cells, it formed a functional complex with PrP C and allowed reconstitution of signaling by PrP C -STI1 interaction. These results indicate that STI1 can interact with the PrP C (cid:1) (cid:1) 7nAChR complex to promote signaling and provide a novel potential target for modulation of the effects of prion protein in neurodegenerative diseases.