Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
‘Transnational civil dis/obedience’ in the Danish family unification dispute

This article develops a concept of transnational civil dis/obedience. It provides a framework for interpreting and evaluating practices of cross-border movement by citizens and migrants, who mobilize international or supranational law to sidestep and challenge domestic rules deemed illegitimate. Such acts are made possible by, but also enact, complex, overlapping and competing legal orders in Europe and elsewhere. In contrast to analyses stressing the private and market-based nature of these actions, the conceptual lens introduced here draws out their potentially civic and political character. To construct and illustrate my argument, I engage with an in-depth case study of EU citizenship and cross-border movement in the area of marriage migration, where individual liberty and political membership are fiercely contested. The paper draws on narrative interviews with Danish-international couples who in response to Denmark’s restrictive family unification rules have used EU-law to protest against what they see as unjust interference in their private lives.
What's behind the name? The intensification of co-branding in elite US colleges of business and education

This article presents research that draws attention to the intensification of co-branding within elite US graduate colleges of business and education. A robust set of descriptive data collected and analyzed according to a content analysis strategy is used to develop an initial understanding of the trend of naming of colleges and academic units in recognition of individual leadership, private sector funding, and philanthropy. The patterns underpinning this trend that are revealed through this research are considered in the context of the academic capitalist knowledge/learning regime. The findings of this study illustrate how co-branding has become a pronounced, but surprisingly overlooked set of market-oriented activities that further link the post-secondary academy with the private marketplace. The article concludes with a set of questions that encourage further research on the potential policy implications and organizational outcomes of the co‐branding trend.
Latent Variable Dimensionality Reduction Using a Kullback-Leibler Criterion and Its Application to Predict Antidepressant Treatment Response

In this paper, we propose a method for dimensionality reduction of high-dimensional input data in a binary classification problem. The method is based on selecting a few latent variables that maximize the Kullback-Leibler (KL) distance between the two class distributions, under the assumption that these distributions are multivariate Gaussian. Numerical performance is demonstrated by solving the challenging problem of classifying patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) into responders vs. non-responders to an anti-depressant treatment using pre-treatment resting electroencephalography (EEG) data. The extracted feature set measures consistent connectivity and includes the magnitude coherence features among all electrode pairs in a 3Hz to 30Hz bandwidth with 1Hz resolution. An overall 86% prediction performance indicates the effectiveness of the KLDR method in this application. This performance level was found to exceed that of other dimensionality reduction methods, namely the unsupervised principal component (PCA) and the supervised Fisher discriminant analysis (FDA) methods.
Measurement of Tumor Vascular Damage in Mice with 99m Tc‐MIBI Following Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract— The clinical perfusion agent 99mTc‐MIBI was used to monitor changes in tumor vascular perfusion (TVP) induced by Photofrin® (Pll)‐mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT). BALB/c mice bearing an EMT‐6 tumor on each hind thigh were given an intravenous injection of 1, 2 or 5 mg kg−1 PII. Twenty‐four hours later, one tumor was illuminated (600–650 run, 200 mW cm−2 400 J cm−2) while the other served as a control. At various time intervals after PDT (0, 2 and 24 h) mice received an intravenous injection of 99mTc‐hexakismethoxy(sobutyusonitri‐le (MIBI) (0.18 MBq g−1) and were sacrificed 2 min later. The light‐treated and the untreated tumors were then dissected, the radioactivity was counted and the percentage of the injected dose per gram of tumor (%ID g−1) was calculated as a measure of TVP. We observed that TVP is drug dose dependent, develops progressively with time post‐PDT and is inversely related to PDT efficacy. Our data show that early tumor retention of 99mMIBI is a simple method to assess TVP and vascular damage induced by PDT.
Application of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Maxillofacial Surgery: Clinical Evaluation

The authors report their experience on 15 cases, including reconstructive surgery of the jaws, postextraction alveolar bone regeneration, and oral implantology. The aim of the study was to evaluate the different effects on jaws' bone regeneration with or without the use of local application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The results we report showed the efficacy of the PRP treatment: postoperative patients' satisfaction and low-morbidity course confirmed the quality of the results. The article will help the reader to (1) understand the PRP preparation, (2) find local applications in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and (3) evaluate the general effect of PRP.
Poststeroid Panniculitis in an Adult

Poststeroid panniculitis is a rare disorder usually reported in children after a sudden decrease or withdrawal of corticosteroid therapy. We report a case in an adult, a finding very rarely reported in English literature. The case report is about a 34-year-old man with multiple erythematous, firm and tender subcutaneous nodules on both thighs and legs after the withdrawal of long-term doses of dexamethasone prescribed before and after surgery for a frontoinsular anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Histopathologic study revealed mainly lobular and also septal panniculitis with fat necrosis and characteristic needle-shaped clefts in radial arrangement within fat cells and multinucleated giant cells. The lesions resolved in about 5 months, after weight loss and application of topical corticosteroids for 1 month, leaving only residual hyperpigmentation.
Obesity and family history of diabetes as risk factors of impaired fasting glucose: implications for the early detection of prediabetes

Rodríguez‐Moran M, Guerrero‐Romero F, Aradillas‐García R, Simental‐Mendia LE, Monreal‐Escalante E, de la Cruz Mendoza E. Obesity and family history of diabetes as risk factors of impaired fasting glucose: implications for the early detection of prediabetes.
Household Labour Supply, Childcare Costs and Tax Credits

The UK Government is planning to replace Family Credit, the existing system of in-work support for families with children, by a new tax credit, the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) to be paid directly through the income tax system. This tax credit includes a generous childcare tax credit component, making childcare more affordable to working households on low incomes. In this paper we model the impact of the WFTC on work incentives and on use of childcare services. Household labour supply is modelled as a discrete choice among a finite set of hours alternatives. Our estimation strategy control explicitly for fixed and child-related costs, and allows for random preference heterogeneity, state-specific errors in perception, and local variations in the provision and cost of childcare services. In simulation we find small positive behavioural responses in aggregate to the
Extracting general task structures to accelerate the learning of new tasks

Teaching a robot new tasks through kinesthetic demonstrations can be a long and complicated process. For example, a human has to demonstrate a new “pick and place” task each time the object or the target location has changed. However, obtaining the abstract representation of such task can significantly reduce the learning time as the human only has to teach the necessary parameters required for the successful execution, e.g. the location of an object. In this work, we present a framework which allows to extract general task structures which together with the obtained knowledge can improve and accelerate the teaching of new tasks. Additionally, our framework exploits the semantic similarities between task parameters in order to infer the possible structure of unknown tasks. Our proposed method utilises symbolic representations of tasks combined with an ontology which makes it applicable to different environments in various domains. We analysed our framework in an orange sorting scenario and a cleaning scenario to demonstrate that it allows reducing the time required for teaching from 136.3 to 53 seconds (61.12%) and from 48.7 to 21 seconds (56.87%) respectively compared to learning only by kinesthetic demonstrations.
Public Service Motivation and Ethical Conduct

This study examines the relationship between public service motivation and ethical behavior. It scrutinizes the issues of whether those who are highly motivated by public service values act in a morally high way. The results showed that only the variable of self-sacrifice in public service motivation was statistically significant in the post-conventional level of principled reasoning. The association was positive, but commitment to the public interest was not statistically significant in either model. This suggests that self-sacrifice in public service motivation is one of the critical factors that influence the ethical reasoning level of public administrators. Public servants with a higher sense of self-sacrifice employed principled reasoning to resolve ethical quandaries. Education and training of public administrators that focuses on the development of an active attitude in public service motivation can encourage public servants to behave in an ethically high way.
Transforming XML into Object-Relational Schema

Recently, there is a vast increase in the use of XML for describing and exchanging data. To manipulate efficiently these data, it would be wise to use database systems which represent an appropriate tool to store and manage data. To have this purpose, we need to transform XML schema into database models such as relational and Object-Relational (OR). The aim of this work is to present a methodology that transforms an XML schema into the OR model. To be automatic, the steps of this transformation are formalized by a mapping function defined from XML into the object-relational model. Among the advantages of this transformation is that it preserves the structure and constraints defined in XML schema which enables to retrieve the initial XML structure from its converted, OR schema.
Dendritic cells: Making progress with tumour regression?

Due to their potent ability to activate the immune system, dendritic cells (DC) are showing promise as potential adjuvants for tumour immunotherapy of cancer patients. However, little is known about the effect tumour cells can have on DC function. Indeed, the discovery of different DC subsets with different immunological functions indicates that the relationship between tumour cells and tumour‐infiltrating DC subtypes is likely to be complex. There remains a lot to be understood about the effects of tumours on DC before we can expect to benefit from DC‐based tumour immunotherapy of cancer patients. Here we review the recent advances being made in understanding DC phenotype and function in relation to interactions with different types of tumours.
Analysis of Rat Insulin II Promoter-Ghrelin Transgenic Mice and Rat Glucagon Promoter-Ghrelin Transgenic Mice*

We developed and analyzed two types of transgenic mice: rat insulin II promoter-ghrelin transgenic (RIP-G Tg) and rat glucagon promoter-ghrelin transgenic mice (RGP-G Tg). The pancreatic tissue ghrelin concentration measured by C-terminal radioimmunoassay (RIA) and plasma desacyl ghrelin concentration of RIP-G Tg were about 1000 and 3.4 times higher than those of nontransgenic littermates, respectively. The pancreatic tissue n-octanoylated ghrelin concentration measured by N-terminal RIA and plasma n-octanoylated ghrelin concentration of RIP-G Tg were not distinguishable from those of nontransgenic littermates. RIP-G Tg showed suppression of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Arginine-stimulated insulin secretion, pancreatic insulin mRNA and peptide levels, β cell mass, islet architecture, and GLUT2 and PDX-1 immunoreactivity in RIP-G Tg pancreas were not significantly different from those of nontransgenic littermates. Islet batch incubation study did not show suppression of insulin secretion of RIP-G Tg in vitro. The insulin tolerance test showed lower tendency of blood glucose levels in RIP-G Tg. Taking lower tendency of triglyceride level of RIP-G Tg into consideration, these results may indicate that the suppression of insulin secretion is likely due to the effect of desacyl ghrelin on insulin sensitivity. RGP-G Tg, in which the pancreatic tissue ghrelin concentration measured by C-RIA was about 50 times higher than that of nontransgenic littermates, showed no significant changes in insulin secretion, glucose metabolism, islet mass, and islet architecture. The present study raises the possibility that desacyl ghrelin may have influence on glucose metabolism.
MANAGING INNOVATION NETWORKS IN THE INDUSTRIAL GOODS SECTOR

Inter-firm networking can facilitate new product development but "[…] it is not a panacea for success" (Harris et al., 2000:229). This article is not concerned with the potential of in-house innovations but tries to reinforce network innovation as a worthy alternative, if managed appropriately. Our research includes the spread of the interaction oriented network approach to innovation literature. Relying on this literature, we hypothesize that balanced network management enhances network retention by facilitating partner selection, resource allocation, regulation, and network evaluation. Balanced network management thereby increases the network retention of the innovation network participants. Our empirical results support our hypotheses. These findings imply that balanced network management affects innovation network retention. For this reason, innovation literature should include a detailed investigation of the four network management functions' effects on innovation network success figures, such as network retention. Assessing network stability and social interaction within innovation networks might allow a better understanding of underlying retention mechanisms in the innovation network context.
Value Added: the Case for Point-of-View Camera use in Orthopedic Surgical Education.

BACKGROUND Orthopedic surgical education is evolving as educators search for new ways to enhance surgical skills training. Orthopedic educators should seek new methods and technologies to augment and add value to real-time orthopedic surgical experience. This paper describes a protocol whereby we have started to capture and evaluate specific orthopedic milestone procedures with a GoPro® point-of-view video camera and a dedicated video reviewing website as a way of supplementing the current paradigm in surgical skills training. We report our experience regarding the details and feasibility of this protocol. METHODS Upon identification of a patient undergoing surgical fixation of a hip or ankle fracture, an orthopedic resident places a GoPro® point-of-view camera on his or her forehead. All fluoroscopic images acquired during the case are saved and later incorporated into a video on the reviewing website. Surgical videos are uploaded to a secure server and are accessible for later review and assessment via a custom-built website. An electronic survey of resident participants was performed utilizing Qualtrics software. Results are reported using descriptive statistics. RESULTS A total of 51 surgical videos involving 23 different residents have been captured to date. This includes 20 intertrochanteric hip fracture cases and 31 ankle fracture cases. The average duration of each surgical video was 1 hour and 16 minutes (range 40 minutes to 2 hours and 19 minutes). Of 24 orthopedic resident surgeons surveyed, 88% thought capturing a video portfolio of orthopedic milestones would benefit their education. CONCLUSIONS There is a growing demand in orthopedic surgical education to extract more value from each surgical experience. While further work in development and refinement of such assessments is necessary, we feel that intraoperative video, particularly when captured and presented in a non-threatening, user friendly manner, can add significant value to the present and future paradigm of orthopedic surgical skill training.
Cycles on Public Expenditure Composition within the European Union

Casual observation of fiscal aggregates in developed economies detects current expenditure rising faster than capital expenditure in the run-up to elections with the reverse occurring soon after. We provide a rationale for these types of political budget cycles which is consistent with full information and self-interested politicians: current expenditure typically produces immediate political returns, while politicians are still in office and, investment expenditure needs a time span to generate political dividends. This paper provides an empirical application to test the existence of a political budget cycle on EU central governments' expenditure data running from 1970 to 2001. We use the Pooled Mean Group Estimator technique to determine the empirical results.
Political‐economic aspects of public employment

An examination of public employment and expenditure data for 17 OECD countries for the period 1963–1983 reveals decelerating growth in public employment after 1970, whereas expenditure growth rates have been accelerating. Two contrary tendencies in public sector employment since the early 1970s are apparent: a general decline in goods and market services, and a significant increase in communal and social services. Comparative empirical analysis, using a pooled cross section-time series technique, confirms the important contribution of increasing wealth to public employment growth. Similarly, a strong societal position for organised labour and increasing unemployment rates contribute to public employment growth, thereby suggesting the presence of a discretionary stabilization policy. Contrary to expectations, however, increased trade dependence exerts a negative impact. With regard to the relationship between expenditure and employment, a general increase in the employment creation efficiency of spending can be discerned. Empirical estimates again suggest that the importance of labour in political-economic decision-making has intensified the employment creation effect of public spending.
Stochastic Control of Bullwhip Effect in Supply Chain

As everyone knows the bullwhip effect, indicating that demand variability increases gradually when moving upstream through the supply chain. This effect affects the efficiency of inventory control, material flow and transportation in a supply chain. Based on literature [Baganha, M et al. (1998)], a multilevel model of supply chain is developed in this study to describe the bullwhip effect by applying a warp wave quantifying. Meanwhile the stochastic control strategy of bullwhip effect is developed. The idea of this method lies in the determination of optimal decisions of supply chain management in the case of stochastic demand variability. Simulation on stochastic control strategy of bullwhip effect with a petroleum distribution system is demonstrated, and the result shows that the bullwhip is reduce
Determinants of Vascular Permeability in the Kidney Glomerulus*

The human kidneys filter 70 liters of blood plasma every day. The hallmark of almost all kidney diseases, whether acquired or genetic, is the leakage of plasma proteins into the urine because of alterations in the glomerular filtration unit of the kidney. In this regard, the human mutations in nephrin,podocin, α-actinin-4, COL4A3, andCOL4A5 genes expressed in the glomeruli have been implicated to cause alterations in glomerular filtration apparatus. Nevertheless, the expression of these proteins in relation to each other in mouse models for glomerular vascular leak is unknown. Additionally, within the glomerulus, the central question of whether the primary filtration barrier is the basement membrane or the epithelial slit diaphragm remains ambiguous. Therefore, in this study, we examined the localization and expression of glomerular epithelial slit diaphragm and glomerular basement membrane proteins implicated in glomerular vascular leak using mice deficient in either the α3 chain of type IV collagen, the major constituent of glomerular basement membrane, or LMX1B transcription factor, which regulates the expression of key glomerular type IV collagen genes COL4A3 andCOL4A4 or nephrin, a glomerular epithelial slit diaphragm-associated protein. This study demonstrates that decreased expression of slit diaphragm protein, nephrin, correlates with a loss of glomerular filter integrity. Additionally, we demonstrate that defects induced by proteins of glomerular basement membrane lead to an insidious plasma protein leak, whereas the defects induced by proteins in the glomerular epithelial slit diaphragms lead to a precipitous plasma protein leak.
Poor response to intensive chemotherapy in de novo acute myeloid leukaemia with trilineage myelodysplasia

Summary. The findings of morphologically dysplastic features in haemopoietic cells in de novo acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) has been named AML with trilineage myelodysplasia (AML/TMDS). We analysed the clinical data, karyotypes, and treatment outcomes of 230 de novo AML patients treated with the Japan Adult Leukaemia Study Group AML‐87 protocol. 40 (17%) patients had AML/TMDS. Platelet count was significantly higher (F=0·006) and bone marrow blasts were fewer (P=0·01) in the AML/TMDS group than in the AML without TMDS. Abnormal karyotype was shown in 12/30 patients (40%) analysed.
Preparation and dissolution pattern of Eudragit RS microcapsules containing ketoprofen.

Microencapsulation of ketoprofen using Eudragit RS, which is a copolymer synthesized from acrylic and methacrylic acid esters with a low content of quaternary ammonium groups, was investigated. The preparation is based on dispersion of acetone containing the drug in liquid paraffin. Aluminium tristearate was used as an additive for the preparation of microcapsules. Good reproducibility in microcapsule preparation was observed. The microcapsules obtained were uniform and free-flowing particles. The dissolution rates of ketoprofen from these microcapsules were considerably decreased as compared with that from ketoprofen powder.
Loosening Hours Constraints on the Supply of Labor: What If Germans Had a Dutch Labor Market?

Total employment in Germany is supposed to increase if people could realize their desired working hours. However, this back-of-the-envelope calculation overestimates the effect of loosening hours constraints, because even in a very flexible labor market there will exist hours restrictions for certain jobs and occupations. Therefore, I simulate Germans' working hours in a more flexible but real world, namely the Dutch labor market. The results indicate that the average weekly working hours of German employees would indeed decrease if they had a Dutch Labor market. Thus, there exists some potential for additional work-sharing in Germany. Furthermore, the match between actual and desired hours of Germans would improve if Germans faced the same hours flexibility as Dutch employees. This holds both for men and for women. Another piece of good news is that hours restrictions shrank over time, which means, Germany seems to be moving towards a more flexible labor market.