Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chinese Nationalism and Its International Orientations

The end of the cold war has precipitated an epidemic of nationalist conflict in many parts of the world. Nationalism has hardly been quiescent during the twentieth century. At times, it functioned to free nations from alien rule, to create a state of its own, and to contribute to the process of modernization. ' In international relations, it also appeared as a relatively peaceful doctrine to express a political desire for national independence among people who believe they have a common ancestry or a common political destiny in a territory peculiarly identified with their history and their fulfillment. However, the prevailing image of nationalism in the contemporary world is negative. It is seen as fueling interstate warfare and has been responsible for many human tragedies. Nationalism is associated with the destructive warfare of the first half of the century and the bloody and tragic ethnic conflict in former Yugoslavia and the Balkans after the end of the cold war. There has been a burgeoning literature on nationalism and war.2 However, the direct linkage between nationalism and international aggression is by no means convincing. In the discussion of the emergence of nationalism in many parts of the world, aggressive and war-causing behavior of nationalism is often taken for granted without explanation.
Entry into a Network Industry: Consumers' Expectations and Firms' Pricing Policies

Abstract Entry into a network industry is modeled focusing on consumers' expectations formation through higher order beliefs. Equilibrium expectations are endogenous and depend on prices, acting as a coordination device among consumers. The model is able to account for aggressive pricing policies by the incumbent and by the entrant. Both exclusion and entry are possible outcomes (depending on parameter values). The threat of entry is beneficial to consumers, even when unsuccessful.
Neuroleptic medications inhibit complex I of the electron transport chain

Neuroleptic medications are prescribed to millions of patients, but their use is limited by potentially irreversible extrapyramidal side effects. Haloperidol shows striking structural similarities to the neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetra‐hydropyridine, which produces parkinsonism apparently through inhibition of NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. We now report that haloperidol chlorpromazine, and thiothixine inhibit complex I in vitro in rat brain mitochondria. Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic reported to have little or no extrapyramidal toxicity, also inhibits complex I, but at a significantly higher concentration. Neuroleptic treated patients have significant depression of platelet complex I activity similar to that seen in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Complex I inhibition may be associated with the extrapyramidal side effects of these drugs.
A review of determinant factors of environmental proactivity

This paper reviews the literature in order to identify the determinant factors of a company’s environmental proactivity. It starts by arguing that environmental proactivity can be manifested through diverse practices and strategies and goes on to comment upon several variables that seem to influence the decision to implement such strategies. Some of these variables depict internal company features and others describe the general environment in which operations are carried out. Stakeholders’ pressure is distinguished as a central determinant factor and it is argued that all the other variables affect either the intensity of this pressure or the company’s capacity to perceive it. All the factors identified herein should be taken into account, at least as control variables, in those studies aiming at explaining and contextualizing environmental strategies. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Munificence, Dynamism, and Complexity: How Industry Context Drives Corporate Sustainability

Does external industry context exert an influence on the development of corporate sustainable development? In keeping with the view that environmental responsibility generates new and competitive resources for firms, we posit that three distinct industry contextual characteristics, namely munificence, dynamism, and complexity, can influence corporate environmentally responsible behaviors. Our conceptual framework is supported by empirical evidence that draws on a sample of 746 Chinese listed firms in manufacturing sectors. Our findings suggest that dynamism increases the likelihood of firms behaving in environmentally responsible ways, whereas complexity decreases this likelihood. The relationships between dynamism and environmental responsibility are stronger in firms with low levels of organizational slack. Moreover, we find that resource-abundant firms are more likely to behave responsibly toward the natural environment in a high-munificence industry context. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Increased Lipid Accumulation in the Chlamydomonas reinhardtiista7-10 Starchless Isoamylase Mutant and Increased Carbohydrate Synthesis in Complemented Strains

ABSTRACT The accumulation of bioenergy carriers was assessed in two starchless mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (the sta6 [ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase] and sta7-10 [isoamylase] mutants), a control strain (CC124), and two complemented strains of the sta7-10 mutant. The results indicate that the genetic blockage of starch synthesis in the sta6 and sta7-10 mutants increases the accumulation of lipids on a cellular basis during nitrogen deprivation relative to that in the CC124 control as determined by conversion to fatty acid methyl esters. However, this increased level of lipid accumulation is energetically insufficient to completely offset the loss of cellular starch that is synthesized by CC124 during nitrogen deprivation. We therefore investigated acetate utilization and O2 evolution to obtain further insights into the physiological adjustments utilized by the two starchless mutants in the absence of starch synthesis. The results demonstrate that both starchless mutants metabolize less acetate and have more severely attenuated levels of photosynthetic O2 evolution than CC124, indicating that a decrease in overall anabolic processes is a significant physiological response in the starchless mutants during nitrogen deprivation. Interestingly, two independent sta7-10:STA7 complemented strains exhibited significantly greater quantities of cellular starch and lipid than CC124 during acclimation to nitrogen deprivation. Moreover, the complemented strains synthesized significant quantities of starch even when cultured in nutrient-replete medium.
Estimating the Benefits of Groundwater Contamination Control

Abstract In this paper, a conceptual model for estimating option price for groundwater quality protection is developed, and the effects of subjective demand and supply uncertainty and other variables on option price are examined. A contingent valuation study to measure option price for groundwater quality protection was conducted in southwestern Georgia. Valuation results suggest that the monetary benefits to citizens of protecting groundwater supplies from agricultural chemical contamination are quite large.
Unrestricted somatic stem cells, as a novel feeder layer: Ex vivo culture of human limbal stem cells

Ex vivo culture of limbal stem cells (LSCs) is a current promising approach for reconstruction of the ocular surface. In this context, 3T3 feeder layer cells (mouse embryo fibroblast) are generally utilized to maintain and expand LSCs. The aim of this study is to develop a novel culture method (animal‐derived products free) to expand LSCs, using umbilical cord derived human unrestricted somatic stem cells (hUSSCs) instead of 3T3 cell with an emphasis on maintaining of the Stemness in LSCs. Using flow‐cytometer, isolated hUSSCs were characterized for CD105, CD90, CD166, CD34, CD45, CD31 cell surface markers and their differentiation capability into adipogenic as well as osteogenic lineages were evaluated. In addition to colony‐forming efficiency (CFE), epithelial lineage differentiation and karyotyping, LSC properties were evaluated for ABCG2, ΔNP63‐α, CK19, CK3, and CK12 mRNA and protein expressions using quantitative RT‐PCR (qRT‐PCR) and immunocytochemistry, when these cells were co‐cultured with hUSSCs (in comparison with 3T3 feeder layer). LSCs, co‐cultured with hUSSCs, showed normal karyotype (46, XX), while they could efficiently form colony (86 ± 3) and display up‐regulation of the genes associated with stemness and down‐regulation of corneal epithelial differentiation genes. Consistent with 3T3 feeder cells, hUSSCs with spindle‐shaped morphology and quick splitting up properties had ability to preserve the stem like‐cell phenotype of LSCs. These findings were confirmed by qRT‐PCR and flow‐cytometer. Findings of present study suggest hUSSCs as a promising alternative method for 3T3 feeder layer cells, to preserve growth and stemness of LSCs ex vivo culture.
Science and participation in governance of the Baltic Sea fisheries

This paper is an empirical study of the role of science in environmental governance using a case study of the Baltic Sea fisheries. In an attempt to encourage stronger participation in the European fishery governance, the European Commission established the Baltic Sea Regional Advisory Council (BS RAC) in 2006. Conceptualized as a functionalistic and deliberative forum, the BS RAC consists of representatives of the fishery sector and other interest groups and provides advice to the European Commission on fishery matters. This paper examines how science and the scientific advice are perceived, interpreted and used by the stakeholders in the BS RAC. The scientific advice cannot overcome the conflict between the different rationalities of, for example, nature conservationists and fishery representatives. Unlike most environmental NGOs, fishery representatives tend to show low levels of trust towards the scientific data and the resulting advice as well as scientists in general. As a consequence, science lies often in the centre of the debate, where one side uses the scientific advice as the foundation of its position while the other side points at scientific uncertainty and/or competing knowledge to promote its alternative. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
γ-Tocotrienol but Not γ-Tocopherol Blocks STAT3 Cell Signaling Pathway through Induction of Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase SHP-1 and Sensitizes Tumor Cells to Chemotherapeutic Agents*

Although γ-tocotrienol (T3), a vitamin E isolated primarily from palm and rice bran oil, has been linked with anticancer activities, the mechanism of this action is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated whether γ-T3 can modulate the STAT3 cell signaling pathway, closely linked to inflammation and tumorigenesis. We found that γ-T3 but not γ-tocopherol, the most common saturated form of vitamin E, inhibited constitutive activation of STAT3 in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and this inhibition was not cell type-specific. γ-T3 also inhibited STAT3 DNA binding. This correlated with inhibition of Src kinase and JAK1 and JAK2 kinases. Pervanadate reversed the γ-T3-induced down-regulation of STAT3 activation, suggesting the involvement of a protein-tyrosine phosphatase. When examined further, we found that γ-T3 induced the expression of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1, and gene silencing of the SHP-1 by small interfering RNA abolished the ability of γ-T3 to inhibit STAT3 activation, suggesting a vital role for SHP-1 in the action of γ-T3. Also γ-T3 down-modulated activation of STAT3 and induced SHP-1 in vivo. Eventually, γ-T3 down-regulated the expression of STAT3-regulated antiapoptotic (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Mcl-1), proliferative (cyclin D1), and angiogenic (VEGF) gene products; and this correlated with suppression of proliferation, the accumulation of cells in sub-G(1) phase of the cell cycle, and induction of apoptosis. This vitamin also sensitized the tumor cells to the apoptotic effects of thalidomide and bortezomib. Overall, our results suggest that γ-T3 is a novel blocker of STAT3 activation pathway both in vitro and in vivo and thus may have potential in prevention and treatment of cancers.
Logical Framework Approach and PRA - mutually exclusive or complementary tools for project planning?

The overall purpose of project planning is to improve project performance. However, there is no general consensus with regard to how to undertake this. One planning system used by many donor agencies is the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) or 'logframe'. An alternative system is Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) which has further evolved into Participatory Learning and Action (PLA). LFA and PRA systems are considered by Chambers, the father of PRA/ PLA methods, to be mutually exclusive (Chambers 1996, 1997). This paper questions that view and proposes a method for how it is possible to combine the two methods. There are several pitfalls in project planning. One is the position that the plan should be fulfilled at any cost. However, circumstances (external factors) might change during project implementation, thus necessitating adjustments to the original plans (Hersoug 1996). If these factors develop negatively during the project period, the project may have to be terminated or redesigned in order to circumvent them. External factors may also develop favourably, thereby opening up new possibilities. If planning and implementation are viewed too rigidly, these opportunities will be foregone. The third pitfall is not to have any plan or to have a plan with few or no implications for project implementation. This causes frustration among project staff and beneficiaries because it is not known where the project is heading. Project planning is, therefore, a question of finding a suitable balance between stability and flexibility (Hersoug 1996). As a general rule, the more you know about the external factors which can influence a project, the more you can plan in detail. More realistic goals may also be established during project implementation. This is also in line with the current thinking that project implementation should be a learning process. Planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation are parts of a continuous project cycle. It is of special importance that the lessons learned during project implementation feed back into the ongoing planning process.
Productivity and Taxes as Drivers of FDI

We develop a framework in which the host-country productivity has a positive effect on the intensive margin (the size of FDI flows), but only an ambiguous effect on the extensive margin (the likelihood of FDI flows to occur). The source-country productivity has a negative effect on the extensive margin. An increase in the host-country corporate tax rate reduces the actual FDI flows and the likelihood that such flows will occur. An increase in the source-country corporate tax rate reduces the likelihood of FDI flows. These predictions are confronted with data on FDI flows, drawn from the International Direct Investment dataset (Source OECD), covering the bilateral FDI flows among 18 OECD countries over the period 1987 to 2003. We find some support for the main predictions of the model.
Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf – wie wirksam sind deutsche ,,Care Policies“?

Abstract The objective of making it easier for parents to successfully balance career and family has recently taken on heightened importance for German family policy. In the last few years, reforms have been implemented in German care policies. In this contribution, we systematically review and evaluate German care policies before and after the implementation of these reforms. We start by discussing international research and then explore German evaluation studies on parental leave benefits, on publicly financed childcare before and after school entry, and on elderly care policies. Finally, we examine the extent to which some measures implemented conflict with another objective of family policy: that of providing an environment for a successful development of children. The paper concludes with an outlook on future research, discussing points that should be kept in mind in further German evaluation studies.
Why Frequency Matters for Unit Root Testing in Financial Time Series

It is generally believed that the power of unit root tests is determined only by the time span of observations, not by their sampling frequency. We show that the sampling frequency does matter for stock data displaying fat tails and volatility clustering, such as financial time series. Our claim builds on recent work on unit root testing based on non-Gaussian GARCH-based likelihood functions. Such methods yield power gains in the presence of fat tails and volatility clustering, and the strength of these features increases with the sampling frequency. This is illustrated using local power calculations and an empirical application to real exchange rates.
Effectiveness of a miswak extract‐containing toothpaste on gingival inflammation: a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVES In this study, the efficacy of a miswak extract-containing toothpaste (Salvadora persica) on gingival inflammation was compared with that of a herbal and a conventional toothpaste. METHODS Non-smoking outpatients with sulcus bleeding index (SBI) ≥25% and with periodontal pocket depths ≤3 mm were randomly selected and divided into three groups: M-group, miswak extract-containing toothpaste; P-group, herbal toothpaste; and C-group, conventional toothpaste. After instructing the patients to brush their teeth twice a day for 3 weeks with the assigned toothpaste using a flat-trimmed manual toothbrush, a thorough oral examination was performed by a calibrated examiner (EH). The primary outcome was the SBI after 21 days. Furthermore, the amount of plaque was measured by approximal plaque index (API). RESULTS Sixty-six patients with a mean age of 57.8 ± 10.2 years were recruited and enrolled. After 3 weeks of brushing, all three patient groups showed a significant reduction in SBI. The P-group (SBI reduction: 17.1% ± 9.1) and the M-group (14.5% ± 8.1) showed the strongest effect followed by the C-group (9.4% ± 7.8). All three groups showed a significant reduction in API without significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS The use of each of the three tested toothpastes caused a significant reduction in gingival inflammation and amount of plaque. The miswak extract-containing toothpaste showed a similar effect as the herbal toothpaste and can be safely used for domestic oral hygiene in patients with gingivitis.
Europeanization and new patterns of multi‐level governance in Romania

This study considers whether EU cohesion policy and related pre‐accession instruments have contributed to the development of a more compound polity in Romania and, specifically, considers the extent to which there is a process of Europeanization characterized by emergent features of multi‐level governance. In particular, it brings forward a number of explanatory factors which account for the process of regions' creation in a centralized unitary post‐communist state such as Romania. It shows that the regional reforms and regionalization have occurred in a very functional way and mostly as a means of accessing and managing regional‐level structural funds. It concludes by illustrating the emergence of new patterns of multi‐level governance in the context of socialization and engagement with the EU's cohesion policy.
Tissue Quantification of CA 125 in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

The objectives of this study were the determination of CA 125 in the cytosol of healthy and carcinomatous ovarian tissue by immunoanalysis, analysis of its correlation with the biological characteristics of ovarian carcinoma, determination of serum CA 125 levels, and study of the prognostic value of the marker in cytosol. The levels of the marker depend not only on the tumor's production rate, so its determination in tissue can indicate more accurately if the tumor is a producer of the marker and establish its value for the prognosis of the disease. Determination of CA 125 in tissue was performed by immunoanalysis in 50 ovarian epithelial cancer samples, 13 benign pathology samples and 32 healthy ovary samples. The presurgical serum level of the marker was also obtained. The correlation between the CA 125 level in the cytosol and the different biological characteristics of the ovarian carcinoma, the serum levels of the marker and survival were analyzed. The CA 125 level proved to be higher in malignant tissue (p<0.0001). There was a significant association between the tissue marker and histological type (high CA 125 was associated with serous and endometrioid tumors) and between the marker and survival. No relation with stage was found. There was a correlation between the CA 125 level in the cytosol and serum, both variables being dependent, with a correlation coefficient of 0.44. This good correlation speaks in favor of the usefulness of CA 125 determination in serum in the follow-up of ovarian cancer. Tumors having high tissue expression of CA 125 were found to have a double relative risk of death, independently of tumor stage.
Perceptions and Barriers of Survivorship Care in Asia: Perceptions From Asian Breast Cancer Survivors

Purpose With the long-term goal to optimize post-treatment cancer care in Asia, we conducted a qualitative study to gather in-depth descriptions from multiethnic Asian breast cancer survivors on their perceptions and experiences of cancer survivorship and their perceived barriers to post-treatment follow-up. Methods Twenty-four breast cancer survivors in Singapore participated in six structured focus group discussions. The focus group discussions were voice recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed by thematic analysis. Results Breast cancer survivors were unfamiliar with and disliked the term “survivorship,” because it implies that survivors had undergone hardship during their treatment. Cognitive impairment and peripheral neuropathy were physical symptoms that bothered survivors the most, and many indicated that they experienced emotional distress during survivorship, for which they turned to religion and peers as coping strategies. Survivors indicated lack of consultation time and fear of unplanned hospitalization as main barriers to optimal survivorship care. Furthermore, survivors indicated that they preferred receipt of survivorship care at the specialty cancer center. Conclusion Budding survivorship programs in Asia must take survivor perspectives into consideration to ensure that survivorship care is fully optimized within the community.
Microcredit Market Structure and Financing Obstacles for Micro Firms

type="main" xml:id="ecot12046-abs-0001" xml:lang="en"> Using rich survey data of micro firms in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, I analze the effect of recent changes in microcredit market structure on perceived financing obstacles. Controlling for country, time and firm characteristics, lower microcredit market concentration is associated with firms reporting financing as a more severe obstacle to their operations. This indicates that rising competition between microfinance institutions may have led to reduced financial access. The results are consistent with information-based theoretical predictions that lenders with less market power have weaker incentives to invest in lending relationships with opaque firms and that greater competition aggravates borrower screening.