Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New public management reform in European countries: The retreat of the state from telecommunication services

In the post war period, telecommunications - being services of 'general economic interest' - were initially managed by public administrative bodies in many Western European countries. With the rise of New Public Management (NPM) in the 1980s, these bodies were often transformed into public corporations or joint stock companies. Following corporatisation, the provision and the management of these services of general economic interest was gradually transferred to private actors. This paper analyses whether privatisation, as part of NPM reforms, has benefited the consumer. We have, therefore, compiled data on privatisation in the telecommunication sector for 15 European countries from 1980 to 2006. The data set covers the corporatisation process, as well as the transfer of the service provision to the private sector. Three empirical findings stand out: first, the reform processes have differed widely from each other. Second, it's not just the transfer of ownership to the private sector that has ensured efficiency gains and increased consumer benefits; corporatisation has done this as well. Third, efficiency gains have been transferred to the consumer, especially at the beginning of the reform process.
Crystal structures of a family 19 chitinase from Brassica juncea show flexibility of binding cleft loops

Brassica juncea chitinase is an endo‐acting, pathogenesis‐related protein that is classified into glycoside hydrolase family 19, with highest homology (50–60%) in its catalytic domain to class I plant chitinases. Here we report X‐ray structures of the chitinase catalytic domain from wild‐type (apo, as well as with chloride ions bound) and a Glu234Ala mutant enzyme, solved by molecular replacement and refined at 1.53, 1.8 and 1.7 Å resolution, respectively. Confirming our earlier mutagenesis studies, the active‐site residues are identified as Glu212 and Glu234. Glu212 is believed to be the catalytic acid in the reaction, whereas Glu234 is thought to have a dual role, both activating a water molecule in its attack on the anomeric carbon, and stabilizing the charged intermediate. The molecules in the various structures differ significantly in the conformation of a number of loops that border the active‐site cleft. The differences suggest an opening and closing of the enzyme during the catalytic cycle. Chitin is expected to dock first near Glu212, which will protonate it. Conformational changes then bring Glu234 closer, allowing it to assist in the following steps. These observations provide important insights into catalysis in family 19 chitinases.
Induction of NF-kappa B DNA-binding activity during the G0-to-G1 transition in mouse fibroblasts

A DNA-binding factor with properties of NF-kappa B and another similar activity are rapidly induced when growth-arrested BALB/c 3T3 cells are stimulated with serum growth factors. Induction of these DNA-binding activities is not inhibited by pretreatment of quiescent cells with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Interestingly, the major NF-kappa B-like activity is not detected in nuclear extracts of proliferating cells, and thus its expression appears to be limited to the G0-to-G1 transition in 3T3 cells. These DNA-binding activities bind many of the expected NF-kappa B target sequences, including elements in the class I major histocompatibility complex and human immunodeficiency virus enhancers, as well as a recently identified NF-kappa B binding site upstream of the c-myc gene. Furthermore, both the class I major histocompatibility complex and c-myc NF-kappa B binding sites confer inducibility on a minimal promoter in 3T3 cells stimulated with serum growth factors. The results demonstrate that NF-kappa B-like activities are immediate-early response proteins in 3T3 cells and suggest a role for these factors in the G0-to-G1 transition.
Educational resources recommendation system based on agents and semantic web for helping students in a virtual learning environment

This work proposes an agent-based system for helping students in the knowledge building process by providing them with recommendations of papers and blogs. The interaction starting point involves a blog context focused on a specific domain. Then, the teacher posts a topic in this blog and students express their opinions about this topic. Afterwards, the system monitors the interaction process aiming to mine the discussion to extract important attributes and information. Then, the recommender system retrieves relevant material to support dynamic interactions in the learning environment. Thus, two situations were defined one, being that the system helps the students by finding and recommending relevant and related blogs. The other, being that the system helps students by recommending papers from a digital library to provide them with formal opinions about the target topic, aiming at enriching their learning experiences. The proposed system with a case study and empirical results are described.
Object Classification using Ensemble of Local and Deep Features

In this paper we propose an ensemble of local and deep features for object classification. We also compare and contrast effectiveness of feature representation capability of various layers of convolutional neural network. We demonstrate with extensive experiments for object classification that the representation capability of features from deep networks can be complemented with information captured from local features. We also find out that features from various deep convolutional networks encode distinctive characteristic information. We establish that, as opposed to conventional practice, intermediate layers of deep networks can augment the classification capabilities of features obtained from fully connected layers.
Fine needle aspiration cytologic diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract lesions. A study of 78 cases.

Seventy-eight cases of gastrointestinal tract lesions were subjected to fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology over a period of seven years. The age of the patients ranged from 1 to 85 years, and the male:female ratio was 47:31. Specific clinical diagnoses, such as carcinoma, lymphoma and tuberculosis, were offered in 27 cases only. The FNA was ultrasound guided in 52 cases; in 26 cases no imaging aid was available. Ultrasonography revealed that the mass lesions were located in the stomach (4 cases), in various parts of the intestine (46), in bowel/retroperitoneum (1) and in the paraaortic lymph nodes (1). The cytodiagnoses were adenocarcinoma (18 cases), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (9), leiomyosarcoma (2), suspicious for malignancy (1), tuberculosis (23), nontuberculous infections (7) and inadequate (18). There was a significant difference (P < .05) in the inadequacy rate between ultrasound-guided FNA (15.4%) and nonguided FNA (38.5%).
A quantitative assessment of plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for vascular disease. Probable benefits of increasing folic acid intakes.

OBJECTIVES To determine the risk of elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) levels for arteriosclerotic vascular disease, estimate the reduction of tHcy by folic acid, and calculate the potential reduction of coronary artery disease (CAD) mortality by increasing folic acid intake. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE search for meta-analysis of 27 studies relating homocysteine to arteriosclerotic vascular disease and 11 studies of folic acid effects on tHcy levels. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION Studies dealing with CAD, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral arterial vascular disease were selected. Three prospective and six population-based case-control studies were considered of high quality. Five cross-sectional and 13 other case-control studies were also included. Causality of tHcy's role in the pathogenesis of vascular disease was inferred because of consistency across studies by different investigators using different methods in different populations. DATA SYNTHESIS Elevations in tHcy were considered an independent graded risk factor for arteriosclerotic vascular diseases. The odds ratio (OR) for CAD of a 5-mumol/L tHcy increment is 1.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4 to 1.7) for men and 1.8 (95% CI, 1.3 to 1.9) for women. A total of 10% of the population's CAD risk appears attributable to tHcy. The OR for cerebrovascular disease (5-mumol/L tHcy increment) is 1.5 (95% CI, 1.3 to 1.9). Peripheral arterial disease also showed a strong association. Increased folic acid intake (approximately 200 micrograms/d) reduces tHcy levels by approximately 4 mumol/L. Assuming that lower tHcy levels decrease CAD mortality, we calculated the effect of (1) increased dietary folate, (2) supplementation by tablets, and (3) grain fortification. Under different assumptions, 13,500 to 50,000 CAD deaths annually could be avoided; fortification of food had the largest impact. CONCLUSIONS A 5-mumol/L tHcy increment elevates CAD risk by as much as cholesterol increases of 0.5 mmol/L (20 mg/dL). Higher folic acid intake by reducing tHcy levels promises to prevent arteriosclerotic vascular disease. Clinical trials are urgently needed. Concerns about masking cobalamin deficiency by folic acid could be lessened by adding 1 mg of cobalamin to folic acid supplements.
Pediatric Facial Burns: Is Facial Transplantation the New Reconstructive Psychosurgery?

Introduction Current pediatric burn care has resulted in survival being the expectation for most children. Composite tissue allotransplantation in the form of face or hand transplantation may present opportunities for reconstructive surgery of patients with burns. The present paper addresses the question “Could facial transplantation be of therapeutic benefit in the treatment of pediatric burns associated with facial disfigurement? ” Methods Therapeutic benefit of facial transplantation was defined in terms of psychiatric adjustment and quality of life (QOL). To ascertain therapeutic benefit, studies of pediatric burn injury and associated psychiatric adjustment and QOL in children, adolescents and adults with pediatric burns, were reviewed. Results Pediatric burn injury is associated with anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depressive disorders. Many patients with pediatric burns do not routinely access psychiatric care for these disorders, including those for psychiatric assessment of suicidal risk. A range of QOL outcomes were reported; four were predominantly satisfactory and one was predominantly unsatisfactory. Discussion Facial transplantation may reduce the risk of depressive and anxiety disorders other than post-traumatic stress disorder. Facial transplantation promises to be the new reconstructive psychosurgery, because it may be a surgical intervention with the potential to reduce the psychiatric suffering associated with pediatric burns. Furthermore, patients with pediatric burns may experience the stigma of disfigurement and psychiatric conditions. The potential for improved appearance with facial transplantation may reduce this ‘dual stigmata’. Studies combining surgical and psychiatric research are warranted.
Absorptive Capacity and ICT Adoption Strategies for SMEs: a Case Study in Kenya

Many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries continue to be challenged by their information technology (IT) adoption process, which is often characterized by a number of deficiencies. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of absorptive capacity (AC) in SMEs’ performance, as well as establish the correlation between SMEs’ AC and their IT adoption process. The findings of this study, obtained by measuring different dimensions of AC using Jimenez-Barrionuevo, Garcia-Morales, and Molina’s scale of 18 items, suggest that AC plays a critical role in the performance of SMEs in Kenya and that SMEs with strong AC employed the use of more superior IT adoption processes than did their counterparts with low levels of AC. The researchers submit that, if exploited, AC has the potential to improve the IT adoption strategies of SMEs in Kenya and those of other developing countries that operate within similar environments.
Active surveillance strategy for patients with localised prostate cancer: criteria for progression.

BACKGROUND Active surveillance - an initial observational strategy - offers a tailored management of patients with localised prostate cancer. The aim of the strategy is to appoint patients with potentially lethal prostate cancer to curatively intended treatment, while patients with slowly evolving tumours are spared from an unnecessary curative intervention. MATERIAL AND METHODS All data included were derived from a single-institution active surveillance cohort of 317 patients which was followed prospectively at Rigshospitalet from 2002 until 2013. The patients were managed with serial PSA measurements, repeated biopsies, and regular digital rectal examinations. The programme recommended change of management from active surveillance to curatively intended treatment based on PSA doubling time, deteriorating histopathology in repeated prostatic biopsies, and increased clinical tumour category. RESULTS The programme entailed close monitoring during the first 5 years with 3-4 out-patient contacts annually. Altogether, 2-3 biopsy sessions were performed in most patients. Complications necessitating hospital admissions arose in almost 10% of the repeated biopsy sessions. The 5-year cumulative incidence of curatively intended treatment was estimated to be 39.5%. Active surveillance resulted in a 34.8% cost-reduction following 3.7 years compared to the estimated cost of immediate radical prostatectomy. The calculated PSA doubling times were associated with wide 95% confidence intervals, which resulted in a significant risk of being misclassified according to the definition of progression. The interobserver agreement of biopsy histopathology between expert uropathologist was substantial. Still, the pathologists' disagreement would have resulted in different treatment recommendations in up to 10% of the re-evaluated biopsies. Neither PSA doubling time nor increased clinical tumour category was associated with final histopathological findings following subsequent radical prostatectomy. Although the level of significance was only met in univariate analysis, biopsy progression was associated with defined final histopathological findings at radical prostatectomy that was perceived as unacceptable for a continued observational strategy. CONCLUSION The thesis has demonstrated that active surveillance is feasible and reduces the number of patients undergoing curative intended treatment. However, active surveillance necessitates close monitoring during the first 5 years. PSA doubling time is unreliable as a progression criterion, while progression on repeated biopsy in part seems to fulfil the requirements of a dependable progression criterion. The need for more accurate progression criteria in the management of prostate cancer patients on active surveillance is emphasised.
Identification of RING finger protein 4 (RNF4) as a modulator of DNA demethylation through a functional genomics screen

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification involved in transcriptional regulation, nuclear organization, development, aging, and disease. Although DNA methyltransferases have been characterized, the mechanisms for DNA demethylation remain poorly understood. Using a cell-based reporter assay, we performed a functional genomics screen to identify genes involved in DNA demethylation. Here we show that RNF4 (RING finger protein 4), a SUMO-dependent ubiquitin E3-ligase previously implicated in maintaining genome stability, plays a key role in active DNA demethylation. RNF4 reactivates methylation-silenced reporters and promotes global DNA demethylation. Rnf4 deficiency is embryonic lethal with higher levels of methylation in genomic DNA. Mechanistic studies show that RNF4 interacts with and requires the base excision repair enzymes TDG and APE1 for active demethylation. This activity appears to occur by enhancing the enzymatic activities that repair DNA G:T mismatches generated from methylcytosine deamination. Collectively, our study reveals a unique function for RNF4, which may serve as a direct link between epigenetic DNA demethylation and DNA repair in mammalian cells.
Linkage of the PvuII polymorphism with the common Jewish mutation for Gaucher disease.

We have localized the PvuII polymorphism of the glucocerebrosidase gene complex to intron 6 of the active gene. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify intron 6 of DNA samples from Pv1.1-/Pv1.1+ individuals, we defined the mutation causing this polymorphism as a G----A single-base substitution at position 3931 of the active gene. By analyzing 54 unrelated Gaucher patients we show strong linkage disequilibrium between the Pv1.1- genotype and the common Jewish mutation 1226 causing the adult type of this disease. Gaucher disease patients heterozygous for the 1226 allele and one unidentified allele (1226/? ), particularly those of Jewish ancestry, were predominantly of the Pv1.1-/PV1.1+ genotype. This suggests that one of the unknown alleles may be relatively common and linked to the Pv1.1+ genotype.
Classification Of Ethanol Consumers and Willingness to Pay for Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through Purchases of E85

In recent years, the issues of energy dependency and renewable energy options have gained recognition with not only policy-makers but also mainstream consumers. Understanding consumer beliefs and preferences related to these issues is therefore relevant as innovative renewable energy markets have the potential to change conventional consumer purchasing decisions. This paper investigates the beliefs and behaviors of U.S. consumers related to E85 ethanol from corn and cellulosic feedstocks. Four distinct market segments are created so that the ethanol market can be investigated more in-depth. Overall familiarity with ethanol as an alternative fuel is high; however, individual segments vary on beliefs related to corn and cellulosic ethanol, purchasing Flex-Fuel Vehicles, general concern for the environment, and many other factors. In order to successfully market ethanol to a diverse market, the preferences, beliefs and behaviors of these four distinct segments should be taken into account. While environmental concern has waxed and waned over time, issues like as climate change have come to the forefront of both domestic and international discussion and policy. The role of greenhouse gas emissions in contributing to climate change has been acknowledged. As a major source of emissions, transportation fuels are an obvious source of potential reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This study segments consumers into four distinct market segments and uses a contingent choice method to determine willingness to pay for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through purchases of E85 ethanol blends. Overall, willingness to pay is estimated at about 0.18 cents per gallon for each percentage in emissions reductions when compared with gasoline containing no ethanol (E0). Willingness to pay for emissions reductions varies in significance and degree across the four market segments. The diversity between the four segments implies that marketing plans should take into account the heterogeneity of consumers and make efforts to account for their varied needs and preferences. TABLE OF CONTENTS Part 1: Introduction Introduction 1 References 4 Part 2: Classification of Ethanol Consumers With Implications for Marketing: A Cluster Approach Abstract 6 Introduction 6 Literature Review 9 Data and Methods 14 Results 19 Discussion 26 References 31 Appendix 34 Part 3: Willingness to Pay for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions Through Purchases of E85 Abstract 52 Introduction 52 Literature Review 55 Data and Methods 59 Results 69 Discussion 81 References 84 Appendix 87 Part 4: Summary and Conclusions Summary and Conclusions 114 Vita 117
Inferring causality in brain images: a perturbation approach

When engaged by a stimulus, different nodes of a neural circuit respond in a coordinated fashion. We often ask whether there is a cause and effect in such interregional interactions. This paper proposes that we can infer causality in functional connectivity by employing a ‘perturb and measure’ approach. In the human brain, this has been achieved by combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with positron emission tomography (PET), functional magnetic resonance imaging or electroencephalography. Here, I will illustrate this approach by reviewing some of our TMS/PET work, and will conclude by discussing a few methodological and theoretical challenges facing those studying neural connectivity using a perturbation.
Human Nutrition and Metabolism Plasma Lycopene Concentrations in Humans Are Determined by Lycopene Intake , Plasma Cholesterol Concentrations and Selected Demographic Factors 1 , 2

Higher plasma lycopene concentrations have been associated with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases. Determinants of lycopene concentrations in humans have received limited attention. We had blood lycopene concentrations and lycopene consumption data available from 111 participants in a two-center cancer prevention trial involving b-carotene and examined determinants of plasma lycopene levels cross-sectionally. The median plasma lycopene level was 0.59 mmol/L (range 0.07–1.79). Low plasma concentrations of lycopene were associated with the following variables in univariate analyses: study site (Florida lower than Connecticut, P 5 0.001), being nonmarried (P 5 0.02), having lower income (P 5 0.003), being nonwhite race/ethnicity (P 5 0.03), having lower dietary lycopene intake (r 5 0.29, P 5 0.002), having lower plasma cholesterol (r 5 0.43, P 5 0.0001) and triglyceride levels (r 5 0.26, P 5 0.005), and consuming less vitamin C (r 5 0.20, P 5 0.03). Women had slightly higher plasma lycopene levels than men (0.65 vs. 0.58 mmol/L; P 5 0.31), despite lower dietary intake of lycopene (1,040 vs. 1,320 mg/d; P 5 0.50). Plasma lycopene levels did not differ in smokers and nonsmokers. In stepwise regression analyses, the determinants of plasma lycopene were plasma cholesterol, dietary lycopene, and marital status; these three variables explained 26% of the variance in plasma lycopene. Relatively few lifestyle and demographic factors were important determinants of plasma lycopene levels, with plasma cholesterol, marital status, and lycopene intake being of greatest importance. J. Nutr. 129: 849–854, 1999.
Perioperative management and monitoring of antiplatelet agents: a focused review on aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitors

Platelets play pivotal roles in hemostasis as well as pathological arterial thrombosis. The combination of aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor has become the mainstay therapy in the ageing population with cardiovascular conditions, particularly during and after percutaneous coronary intervention. A number of novel P2Y12 inhibitors has become available in the recent years, and they markedly vary in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Perioperative physicians today face a challenge of preventing hemorrhage due to platelet inhibitors, while minimizing thrombotic risks. There are several point-of-care platelet function tests available in the peri-procedural assessment of residual platelet aggregation. However, these platelet function tests are not standardized in terms of sample processing, agonist type and potency as well as methods of detecting platelet activity. Understanding the differences in pharmacological properties of antiplatelet agents, principles of platelet function tests, and pertinent hemostatic strategies may be useful to anesthesiologists and intensivists who manage perioperative issues associated with antiplatelet agents. The objectives of this review are: 1) to discuss clinical data on aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitors relating to perioperative bleeding, 2) to outline different features of point-of-care platelet function tests, and 3) to discuss therapeutic options for the prevention and treatment of bleeding associated with antiplatelet agents.