Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of investment climate indicators on ownership and firm performance: evidence from different stone mines in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT:Investment in stone mining projects is always associated with risks as there might have relatively greater uncertainty of expected level of extraction. This study examines the degree to which firms operating in stone mines are facing risks and obstacles regarding their investment and profit, conditional on the investment climate indicators, ownership structure, and firm’s performance. Studies on investment climate are mainly based on macro level data, and firm level studies are relatively sparse (Dao, 2008; Cull and Xu, 2003; 2005). This sparseness may result from the dearth of micro-level data. This study provides findings that also fill-up this gap in the literature. The analyses are based on data collected in 2010 and 2011 and from 633 small, medium and large stone mining firms from Sylhet Division in Bangladesh. 112 of large firms reported that the source of their initial investment came from either bank loan or remittances or both, while in case of medium firm partnership between mine owners and individual investor who bears the mine digging and extraction costs played the dominant role (73 out of 209). However, 49.49 % of the small firms reported that either usury or microfinance through NGOs were the major source of their initial investment. The estimates obtained from ordered probit and IV-ordered probit models show that most sets of variables have statistically significant impacts on ownership and firm performance. Our findings suggest that factors like credit facilities, red tape captured by delay, regulatory burden, weak infrastructure, illegal payments such as bribe paid to the public officials, and acute labour shortages are responsible for changes in production and cost; and thus in investment climate. As property rights are defined and ownership structures are fully explored, the stone crashing firms are relatively risk free. In case of small and medium firms, firm’s location plays an important role. Experience matters for large firms. With the finding that acute labor shortages is a significant bar to profitable investment climate, large scale labour migration from less developed parts of the country to the mining areas would be one of the best feasible solutions. Bribe or illegal payment made by firms should be mitigated through increasing level of inspections by the administration. Our result accounts for the heterogeneity of firms and may be important for policy makers to develop clear, consistent and unambiguous approaches to fostering a favourable investment climate for firms under consideration especially for small firms.
Desensitization of macrophages to stimuli which induce secretion of superoxide anion. Down‐regulation of receptors for phorbol myristate acetate

The ability of cultivated mouse peritoneal macrophages (MΦ) to release superoxide anion (O2−) after repeated stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or serumtreated zymosan (STZ) has been studied. After a maximal first stimulus bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG)‐activated MΦ released high levels of O2−, 2‐fold more than thioglycollate‐elicited MΦ and the response ceased within 4 h. Both populations either responded again to a second challenge or displayed a refractory state which varied in duration and selectivity. Desensitization by STZ pretreatment was transient and selective whereas PMA could render MΦ refractory for 3 days to PMA alone or to both agents, depending on the amount of PMA used and the conditions of stimulation. PMA induced a selective loss of specific saturable receptors for [3H]phorbol dibutyrate, a closely related agent, and receptor activity recovered with the ability to release O2−. Loss of receptors did not account for concomitant loss of the response to STZ after nonselective deactivation. Such MΦ were fully viable and able to endocytose various soluble and particulate ligands vigorously, but without stimulation of the hexose monophosphate shunt or release of O2−.
Pharmacodynamics of Streptavidin-Coated Cyanoacrylate Microbubbles Designed for Molecular Ultrasound Imaging

Objectives:To assess the pharmacodynamic behavior of cyanoacrylate, streptavidin-coated microbubbles (MBs) and to investigate their suitability for molecular ultrasound imaging. Materials and Methods:Biodistribution of MBs was analyzed in tumor-bearing mice using &ggr;-counting, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and ultrasound. Further, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-antibody coupled MBs were used to image tumor neovasculature. Results:After 1 minute >90% of MBs were cleared from the blood and pooled in the lungs, liver, and spleen. Subsequently, within 1 hour a decent reincrease of MB-concentration was observed in the blood. The remaining MBs were removed by liver and spleen macrophages. About 30% of the phagocytosed MBs were intact after 48 hours. Shell fragments were found in the kidneys only. No relevant MB-accumulation was observed in tumors. In contrast, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-specific MBs accumulated significantly within the tumor vasculature (P < 0.05). Conclusions:The pharmacokinetic behavior of streptavidin-coated cyanoacrylate MBs has been studied. In this context, the low amount of MBs in tumors after >5 minutes is beneficial for specific targeting of angiogenesis.
Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in klotho with priapism in sickle cell anaemia

The complications of sickle cell disease are probably determined by genes whose products modify the pathophysiology initiated by the sickle haemoglobin mutation. Priapism, one vaso‐occlusive manifestation of sickle cell disease, affects more than 30% of males with the disease. We examined the possible association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 44 candidate genes of different functional classes for an association with the occurrence of priapism. One hundred and forty‐eight patients with sickle cell anaemia and incident or a confirmed history of priapism were studied, along with 529 controls that had not developed priapism. Polymorphisms in the KLOTHO gene (KL; 13q12) showed an association with priapism by genotypic [reference SNP cluster identifier number (rs)2249358; odds ratio (OR) = 2·6 (1·4–5·5); rs211239; OR = 1·7 (1·2–2·6)] and haplotype analyses [rs211234 and rs211239; OR = 2·3 (1·5–3·4)]. These findings may have broader implications in sickle cell disease, as KL encodes a membrane protein that regulates many vascular functions, including vascular endothelial growth factor expression and endothelial nitric oxide release.
Theoretical and Practical Considerations in the Restoration of Function After Stroke

Abstract Recovery of function after stroke appears to include elements of both restoration and compensation. The brain is highly plastic, which allows reorganization after damage. Stroke produces permanent damage to the brain, so recovery must be based on activity in surviving cells that are either adjacent, contralateral, or in a different region. Furthermore, representation of a particular function in the brain is usually not limited to a single brain region. Multiple representation provides the opportunity for brain reorganization; functions are assumed by surviving brain structures. Compensation can be the initial response in the recovery phase and may persist through later phases because of the new habits formed (as the restraint therapy studies of Taub and others would suggest), because the damage to the brain is extensive and hinders restoration, because of secondary pathology, such as tendon shortening and muscle wasting, that does not allow brain reorganization to be translated into functional recovery, or because of inadequate (especially late) rehabilitation.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 gene G2964A polymorphism and inflammatory bowel disease

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) is a key transcription factor involved in interleukin 4 (IL‐4) and IL‐13‐mediated Th2 response. The STAT6 gene is located on chromosome 12q13.3–14·1 (IBD2 region) and is therefore a positional and functional candidate gene for study in inflammatory bowel disease. We investigated the G2964A polymorphism in the 3′ untranslated region of the STAT6 gene in Dutch patients with inflammatory bowel disease and healthy controls. The G2964A polymorphism in the STAT6 gene was genotyped in 141 unrelated Dutch Caucasian patients with ulcerative colitis, 183 patients with Crohn's disease and 173 healthy individuals by PCR and the amplification‐created restriction site method. Patients with Crohn's disease were classified according to the Vienna classification and the patients with ulcerative colitis were classified with the age at onset, extent of disease and colectomy. We did not find significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of the G2964A polymorphism in the STAT6 gene between ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and healthy controls. Subgroups of the patients with Crohn's disease classified according to the Vienna classification and those with ulcerative colitis classified according to age of onset, disease extension and colectomy did not differ in the distribution of this polymorphism. The STAT6 G2964A gene polymorphism is not involved in the overall susceptibility or in determining the phenotype of IBD.
Arterial applanation tonometry: technical aspects relevant for its daily clinical use.

S everal clinical epidemiological studies have suggested the relevance of the assessment of central blood pressure by means of noninvasive methods for a better evaluation of cardiovascular risk [1–3]. In particular, attention has been focused on the phenomenon of pulse pressure amplification in the clinical evaluation of cardiovascular patients [4–6]. Applanation tonometry is currently considered the reference method for noninvasive evaluation of central blood pressure and central pulse wave analysis [7,8]. Even if transcutaneous arterial tonometry is not yet considered to be one of the diagnostic tests recommended for routine arterial hypertension management, all the same, it represents a useful tool for more in-depth investigation of vascular changes in a number of clinical conditions characterizing daily practice. In particular, it is useful in conditions in which an accurate central pulse wave analysis is required, for an indirect estimate of myocardial function or cardiac work. Therefore, it is necessary that central blood pressure values recorded with this method are reliable and that parameters describing central arterial pressure waveform faithfully reflect the corresponding ones invasively recorded in the ascending aorta. The study by Hirata et al. [9], published in this issue of the Journal of Hypertension, focuses on a particular aspect concerning the position of the patient during acquisition of the central arterial pressure waveform, which appears to be an important requirement to optimize standardization of applanation tonometry in clinical practice. As a matter of fact, some tonometric devices are used with the patient in sitting position, whereas other instruments require the patient to lie down in a supine position during arterial pressure waveform recording.
Chemokine production by human chondrocytes.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the role of chondrocytes in producing CXC chemokines [interleukin 8 (IL-8), growth related gene product (GRO-alpha)] and CC chemokines [monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-1alpha), RANTES] in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) and subjects after traumatic injury (PT). METHODS Articular cartilage specimens were obtained from 38 patients with OA and 18 with RA undergoing joint replacement surgery. Healthy human cartilage was obtained from femoral condyles removed after trauma in 11 subjects with no history of joint pathology (PT cases). Chondrocytes were isolated from articular cartilage by sequential enzymatic digestion and cultured in vitro. Chemokine production was investigated in unstimulated condition and after 72 h incubation with proinflammatory [IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)] and antiinflammatory [transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), IL-10] mediators. Chemokine concentrations in cell supernatants were evaluated by ELISA. RESULTS Chondrocytes produce all these chemokines to a different extent. IL-1beta was a more potent stimulus than TNF-alpha in inducing production of all chemokines except MCP-1. We found no statistical differences among chondrocytes isolated from OA, RA, and PT for chemokine production in either basal conditions or after cytokine stimulation. IL-1beta induced chemokine production can be modulated by TGF-beta1 in different ways according to the various chemokines, while IL-10 does not affect IL-1beta induced chemokine production. CONCLUSION Chondrocytes produce IL-8, GRO-alpha, MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, and RANTES. Proinflammatory factors (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha) effectively upregulate chemokine production, but production is scarcely modulated by the antiinflammatory mediators TGF-beta and IL-10. Chondrocyte derived chemokines may play a role in triggering the mechanisms involved in pathogenesis and persistence of joint diseases.
Morning and Evening Personality Characteristics in a Sample of Young Italians

The goal of this study was to investigate associations of morning and evening personality types with personality dimensions in a convenient sample of 60 men and 60 women, ages 18 to 29 years. A short form of the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire and a personality questionnaire Come mi vedo (How I see myself), based on the 5-factor model of personality, were given. Several personality dimensions appear to be significantly correlated with Morningness scores: Conscientiousness (positively) and Openmindedness (negatively). The analysis indicated morning types tend to reach their goals resolutely and to plan their steps, they prefer to be precise, tidy, punctual, trustworthy; they have a sense of duty and responsibility; they are also less original and less open to culture and novelties, less curious, conformist, traditionalist, and less well-informed, hardworking, steady, tenacious, and diligent, on the Come mi vedo.
ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE CELLS OF THE AMNIOTIC FLUID

THE recent increase in the use of amniocentesis as a diagnostic procedure has focused attention on the cells present in the amniotic fluid. These cells can be used for the antenatal diagnosis of the sex of the foetus, a procedure which has been recommended in cases of sex-linked conditions such as haemophilia (Riis and Fuchs, 1960), hereditary sex-linked muscular atrophy (Serr and Margolis, 1964) and testicular feminization (Amarose et al., 1966). Although Van Leeuwen et al. (1965) have recently distinguished two types of cell in samples of fluid obtained between the 19th and 41st week of pregnancy, one of which they believed to be fetal and the other amniotic in origin, the exact nature and origin of these cells has still to be elucidated. They have therefore been investigated by both light and electron microscopy during a study of the epithelia lining the amniotic cavity in the first two trimesters of pregnancy.
Polydactyly Nagoya, Pdn: A new mutant gene in the mouse.

A new hereditary polydactyly (gene symbol Pdn) was found in the course of breeding JCL : ICR mice. The genetic analysis indicated that the polydactyly was an autosomal dominant trait. The homozygotes died within two days after birth. The homozygous fetuses or newborn had 1-3 extra-digits both in te fore- and hindlimbs on the preaxial side. They occasionally showed exencephaly, cleft palate, open eyelid, short tibia and fibula or deformed sternum. The heterozygotes had one extra-digit preaxial side. They occasionally showed exencephaly, heterozygotes had one extra-digit preaxially in the hindlimb and an enlarged first digit on the forelimb which often showed bifurcated distal phalanx. A tab on the postaxial side of the forelimb was found in all homozygotes and in some heterozygotes.
Pap smear and mammogram screening in Mexican-American women: the effects of acculturation.

OBJECTIVES For Mexican Americans, acculturation is a multidimensional process of adopting attitudes, values, and behavior from the non-Hispanic White culture. This study examines the effects of different dimensions of acculturation on the cancer screening behavior of Mexican-American women. METHODS Subjects were 450 randomly selected Mexican-American women age 40 years and older living in El Paso, Texas. Personal interviews solicited information on age, income, education, health insurance, Pap smear and mammogram use, and acculturation. Acculturation was measured with five scales that assessed English proficiency, English use, value placed on culture, traditional family attitudes, and social interaction. RESULTS The 2-year prevalence of Pap smear and mammogram screening increased with each gain in acculturation on English proficiency and use. These associations disappeared when adjusted for age, income, insurance, and education. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and other acculturation dimensions, a strong traditional Mexican attitude toward family was positively related to mammography use. CONCLUSIONS Taking advantage of the positive influence of Hispanic familism on cancer screening behavior may increase the effectiveness of cancer control interventions in Mexican Americans.
Attempts to produce monozygotic quadruplets in cattle by blastomere separation

The blastomeres of eight-cell cow embryos were separated by micromanipulation into four pairs, inserted in foreign zonae pellucidae, embedded in agar and cultured for approximately four days in ligated sheep oviducts. Of 44 "quarter" embryos (11 monozygotic groups) transferred to sheep, 91 per cent had continued to develop at a normal rate and 77 per cent had formed small blastocysts with a single inner cell mass. Twenty-six blastocysts freed from the agar were transferred to heifers, each heifer receiving two monozygotic embryos, one to the tip of each uterine horn. Nine recipients were diagnosed pregnant by rectal palpation on day 50, six carrying twins. Thus 15 of the embryos had continued to develop including two sets of monozygotic quadruplets and one set of monozygotic triplets. Eight fetuses developed to full term, one set of monozygotic triplets, two sets of monozygotic twins (one set born dead) and one single.
The EML4-ALK transcript but not the fusion protein can be expressed in reactive and neoplastic lymphoid tissues

In the search for driver mutations that contribute to the development of cancer, translocations of ALK-EML4 were implicated as specific to non-small cell lung cancer. The author of this study clearly question the specificity of the rearrangement, showing that it is present in reactive lymph nodes and a number of different lymphomas. Rearrangements involving the ALK gene define two distinct entities in the new 2008 WHO classification of lymphoid neoplasms, i.e. ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma and a rare subset of ALK+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Recently, rearrangements involving ALK and the echinoderm microtubule associated protein-like 4 (EML4) gene were described as a specific genetic alteration in about 6% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated the expression of EML4-ALK mRNA and protein in 51 reactive and 58 neoplastic lymphoid tissues. EML4-ALK transcripts were detected in 3/51 (5.9%) of reactive lymphoid tissues and 12/58 (20.7%) of lymphomas of different categories, including follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Hodgkin’s disease. Notably, none of these cases expressed the EML4-ALK fusion protein at Western blotting samples and immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that EML4-ALK rearrangements are not specific of NSCLC and raise yet unsolved questions about their role in promoting human neoplasms.
Distinct caveolae-mediated endocytic pathways target the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum

Internalization of autocrine motility factor (AMF) into the endoplasmic reticulum is sensitive to the cholesterol-extracting reagent methyl-β-cyclodextrin, inhibited by the dynamin-1 K44A mutant and negatively regulated by caveolin-1. Thus, AMF internalization requires a caveolae-mediated endocytic pathway. Similarly, we show here that endocytosis of cholera toxin (CTX) in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts is inhibited by adenoviral expression of the dynamin-1 K44A mutant but only partially by expression of the clathrin hub. Treatment with methyl-β-cyclodextrin and overexpression of caveolin-1, but not the clathrin hub, selectively diminishes CTX endocytosis to the Golgi apparatus but not to endosomes. CTX is therefore targeted via a caveolin-1-regulated caveolae-mediated pathway to the Golgi. Disruption of Golgi-, caveosome- or endosome-mediated trafficking with brefeldin A, nocodazole or a 20°C temperature block, respectively, inhibit CTX endocytosis to the Golgi but do not affect AMF delivery to the endoplasmic reticulum. Following an incubation of only five minutes in the presence of the clathrin hub, AMF and CTX are not cointernalized, and AMF is delivered to the AMF-R-positive smooth ER. The internalization of both ligands is nevertheless sensitive to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein, confirming that they are both internalized via caveolae/raft pathways. Two distinct caveolae-mediated endocytic pathways therefore exist, including a novel direct pathway to the ER from the plasma membrane.
The Outcomes of Education and Training: What the Australian Research Is Telling Us, 2011-14. Research Summary.

During 2011 to 2014, a set of five national research priorities directed research into Australia's tertiary education and training sector. Over this time the National Centre for Vocational Education Research's (NCVER's) research has focused on delivering some clear messages about many of the challenges facing the sector. The outcomes of the research have also pointed to some of the solutions. These are summarised in this report under each of the five priority areas: skills and productivity; structures in the tertiary education and training system; the contribution of education and training to social inclusion; learning and teaching; and the place and role of vocational education and training (VET).
Ethnic Differences in the Home Environment and Physical Activity Behaviors among Low-Income, Minority Preschoolers in Texas

Purpose. To evaluate the ethnic differences in the home physical activity and screen time environment of preschoolers enrolled in Head Start. Design. Cross-sectional. Setting. Sixteen Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) Head Start centers, Texas. Subjects. Seven hundred and six preschoolers enrolled in HCDE Head Start centers and their parents. Measures. Items from the parent-reported Healthy Home Survey evaluating the home physical activity environment and the Nutrition Screening form evaluating screen time. Analysis. Mixed model linear and logistic regression analysis. Results. Of the parents, 75.06% were overweight or obese. Hispanic parents were more likely to have a yard or open space (p = .014) and usable play equipment in the yard (p = .019) for their children to play in compared to African-Americans. Conversely, more African-American parents reported having a television (TV) in their preschooler's bedroom (p = .032) and were less likely to cut down their child's TV viewing time (p = .036). African-American preschoolers were reportedly more likely to eat while watching TV (p = .009), play video games for ≥ 2 hours on weekdays (p = .018) and have computer time for ≥ 2 hours on weekends (p = .007), compared to Hispanics. Conclusion. The Hispanic participants of this study had a healthier home environment for physical activity and screen time as compared with their African-American counterparts. Future interventions targeting lifestyle change need to address these factors in an ethnic-specific manner.