Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glycoproteins in human parotid saliva assessed by lectin probes after resolution by sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Human parotid salivary glycoproteins separated by gradient sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and electroblotted onto nitrocellulose have been investigated using a battery of biotinylated lectin probes of characterized sugar specificity. Lectin binding, detected on blots using avidin‐biotin complex (ABC) and a chemiluminescence generating substrate, was recorded on photographic film and compared with the original fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) stained blots or with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R‐250‐stained gels run in parallel. A number of glycoprotein bands which were undetected by protein stains or the periodic acid Schiff reaction were revealed by lectins. Binding by lectins from Concanavalia ensiformis, Lens culinaris, Limax flavus, Phaseolus vulgaris, Ricinus communis, Triticum vulgaris, Lotus tetragonobulus and Ulex europaeus indicated that sialylated and fucosylated triantennary and bisected, N‐linked complex sugar chains were present on many glycoproteins in addition to the major glycosylated proline‐rich glycoprotein (GI). Binding with lectins from Arachis hypogaea and Dolichos biflorus indicated that the O‐linked sugar chains were confined to the α‐heavy chain of Ig A. Comparison of lectin binding in samples from five healthy individuals revealed differences in a number of flycoproteins in addition to the previously characterized GI and CON 1/CON 2 polymorphisms and demonstrated that the H blood group antigen was expressed mainly on GI in parotid saliva. This study will be used as a basis upon which to study salivary glycoproteins in diseases affecting parotid glands.
Stationarity of Market Risk: Random Coefficients Tests for Individual Stocks

THE PURPOSE OF THIS paper is threefold: First, a procedure for obtaining unbiased and consistent estimates of the variance of the disturbance term (step variance) in the market risk of individual stocks and portfolios is presented under the random walk and autoregressive hypotheses for the market risk. These estimates can be used to test the null hypothesis that the market risk of a given stock over a given time series is stationary against the abovementioned alternative hypothesis about the nature of nonstationarity in the market risk of stock. Second, under the assumption that the market risk follows a random walk, estimates of step variance of the market risk of the stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange are presented. The null hypothesis of stationary risk is tested against the random walk hypothesis for each stock over the period 1926-1975 and its subintervals. In the third part, the effect of portfolio diversification on nonstationarity of the market risk of portfolios is examined. A considerable amount of attention has been paid to the tests of hypotheses about the nonstationarity of market risk of common stocks. The methodology used involved cross-sectional correlation and other forms of analysis of the OLS regression estimates of risk of individual stocks over two or more contiguous segments of time series. Examples of this work include Blume [3], Levy [12], Sharpe and Cooper [15], Fisher [6, 7], and Fisher and Kamin [8]. Blume concluded that the market risk estimated over one period persists into future periods but did not look stationary. After detailed testing, Bogue [4] reached a similar conclusion. Fisher and Kamin [8] have conducted tests of the stationarity hypothesis and concluded that the behavior of market risk is best described by a random walk or a first-order autoregressive process with a serial correlation very close to one:
Suitability of the FinFET 3T1D Cell Beyond 10 nm

The performance of the 3T1D-DRAM cell beyond 10-nm technology node is investigated when the memory cell is based on nonplanar multigate devices, i.e., FinFETs. Moreover, for completeness, the cell is analyzed in both SOI and bulk-based FinFETs. While relevant process variation robustness is observed in SOI-based FinFETs, 10× lower impact than for bulk-based ones. In order to improve the variability robustness of bulk-based FinFET cell, we propose a dual-VT strategy to enhance the dynamic cell behavior.
Differntial Fecundity, Markets, and Gender Roles

Women are fecund for a shorter period of their lives than men. This paper investigates how differential fecundity interacts with marriage, labor, and financial markets to affect gender roles. The main findings of the paper are as follows: (i) Fecund women are relatively scarce. Men will behave differently than women in response to this scarcity. In the most fundamental way, demand and supply conditions in the marriage market affect gender roles. (ii) Differential fecundity does not have any market‐invariant gender effect. Gender roles depend on the way in which marriage, labor, and financial markets interact. (iii) Gender differences in the labor market can occur without corresponding differences in labor market opportunities, productivities in child rearing, or social norms. (iv) With uncertainty in human capital accumulation and no insurance against this uncertainty, the model's predictions are consistent with observed gender roles.
Deformation and distensibility distribution along the abdominal aorta in the presence of aneurysmal dilatation.

BACKGROUND In order to evaluate the elastic behavior of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), the distribution of aortic deformation during the cardiac cycle is measured. Moreover, the distensibility of the AAA composite structure consisting of the AAA wall and the intraluminal thrombus (ILT), as well as that of the adjacent non-aneurysmal aortic segment (NAA), are calculated. METHODS Ten patients underwent electrocardiographically-gated computed tomography. 3D-surfaces of aortic wall and lumen were reconstructed during peak-systole and end-diastole and cross-sections perpendicular to the centerline were extracted 1 mm apart. Comparison of cross-sectional areas between peak-systole and end-diastole provided the relative area change (RAC). Mean values were calculated for NAA (RACNAA), aneurysmal wall (RACWall), and aneurysmal lumen (RACLumen). Distensibility of aneurysmal and unaffected aorta was calculated using brachial blood pressure measurements (DAAA and DNAA respectively). Normalized distensibility (DNORM) of the AAA was calculated with respect to normal aortic segment distensibility and related to aneurysm size and thrombus content. RESULTS A map of aortic deformation during the cardiac cycle was obtained. Differences between RACWall (median=0.7%, range=0.3-2.1%) and both RACNAA (median=2.8%, range=0.9-4.8%) and RACLumen (median=1.8%, range=0.5-3.4%) were statistically significant. DAAA (median=0.30∙10-5 Pa-1, range=0.05-0.64∙10-5 Pa-1) was lower than DNAA (median=0.43∙10-5 Pa-1, range=0.16-0.83∙10-5 Pa-1) but difference was not statistically significant. Median DNORM was 0.73 (range=0.1-3.1) and presented a significant positive correlation with AAA size and thrombus content. CONCLUSIONS Aneurysmal wall deforms significantly less than non-aneurysmal wall and aneurysmal lumen, due to altered elastic properties and reduced loading. In large AAAs with larger amounts of ILT, the lumen deformation is comparable or even exceeds that of NAA and subsequently so does the distensibility of the Wall-ILT composite, an observation suggesting a thrombus cushioning effect. DNORM may provide insight in the estimation of AAA evolution and assist in rupture risk assessment.
Abnormalities in Neuronal Process Extension, Hippocampal Development, and the Ventricular System of L1 Knockout Mice

In humans, mutations in the L1 cell adhesion molecule are associated with a neurological syndrome termed CRASH, which includes corpus callosum agenesis, mental retardation, adducted thumbs, spasticity, and hydrocephalus. A mouse model with a null mutation in the L1 gene (Cohen et al., 1997) was analyzed for brain abnormalities by Nissl and Golgi staining and immunocytochemistry. In the motor, somatosensory, and visual cortex, many pyramidal neurons in layer V exhibited undulating apical dendrites that did not reach layer I. The hippocampus of L1 mutant mice was smaller than normal, with fewer pyramidal and granule cells. The corpus callosum of L1-minus mice was reduced in size because of the failure of many callosal axons to cross the midline. Enlarged ventricles and septal abnormalities were also features of the mutant mouse brain. Immunoperoxidase staining showed that L1 was abundant in developing neurons at embryonic day 18 (E18) in wild-type cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and corpus callosum and then declined to low levels with maturation. In the E18 cortex, L1 colocalized with microtubule-associated protein 2, a marker of dendrites and somata. These new findings suggest new roles for L1 in the mechanism of cortical dendrite differentiation, as well as in guidance of callosal axons and regulation of hippocampal development. The phenotype of the L1 mutant mouse indicates that it is a potentially valuable model for the human CRASH syndrome.
Esthetic outcomes of immediate implant placements.

BACKGROUND Single-rooted teeth deemed not restorable via conventional means may be candidates for implant placement at the time of tooth extraction. Immediate implant placements are believed to preserve soft and hard tissue form and contours, reduce the need for augmentation procedures, minimize surgical exposure of the patient, reduce treatment time and improve esthetic outcomes. METHOD This retrospective review analyzed the esthetic outcomes of 42 non-adjacent single-unit implant restorations completed using an immediate implant surgical placement protocol. RESULTS The mean time in function was 18.9 months (range 6-50 months) and the majority of implants placed had a restorative platform diameter of 4.1 and 4.8 mm. A highly significant change in crown height due to marginal tissue recession of 0.9 +/- 0.78 mm (P=0.000) was recorded for all sites, with no difference seen between implant systems (P=0.837). Thin tissue biotype showed slightly greater recession than thick tissue biotype (1 +/- 0.9 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.57 mm, respectively); however, this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.187). Implants with a buccal shoulder position showed three times more recession than implants with a lingual shoulder position (1.8 +/- 0.83 vs. 0.6 +/- 0.55 mm, respectively) with the difference being highly statistically significant (P=0.000). CONCLUSIONS Immediate implant placement requires very careful case selection and high surgical skill levels if esthetic outcomes are to be achieved. Long-term prospective studies on tissue stability and esthetic outcomes are needed.
The effects of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on higher education: From objectivism to social constructivism

Higher education has been on the rollercoaster for the last couple of decades with the advent of the first personal computer in the 1980s and then the internet in the 1990s and not only explicitly in terms of using innovative digital gadgets, but also implicitly in perceptions about and approaches to e-learning from behaviourism through cognitive to social constructivism or more specifically, from transmitted knowledge to negotiated and then harvested knowledge. The journey reflects the emancipation of learners from bonded (teacher-led) learning to independent and self-reigned knowledge-acquisition. This paper is a short discourse on the theoretical voyage of pedagogy and learning in higher education institutions (HEIs) from the introduction of traditional ‘technology-based-instruction’ to modern ‘network based’ ‘web-enhanced e-courses’ in collaborative and socially active learning environments operating with ‘social-software-tools’ of blogging and social-book marking. Key words: Objectivism, behaviourism, constructivism, cognitive-constructivism, social-constructivism, transmitted, negotiated, harvested-knowledge, e-learning, blended, virtual.
The effect of the flavonoid diosmin, grape seed extract and red wine on the pulmonary metastatic B16F10 melanoma.

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of different phenolic compounds and red wine on pulmonary metastatic melanoma. METHODS Swiss mice were inoculated with 500000 melanocytes B16F10 and given oral doses of diosmin, grape seed extract (GSE) and red wine. A macroscopic count was made of the metastatic nodules on the lung surface and a microscopic study by image analysis of five sections, calculating the implantation percentage and tumoral growth and invasion indices. RESULTS Macroscopically, the group treated with diosmin showed the greatest reduction (52%) in the number of metastatic nodules compared with the control group, which was treated with ethanol, while GSE and red wine caused decreases of 26.07 and 28.81%, respectively. Microscopically, there was a decrease in the implantation percentage after the administration of diosmin (79.4%) and red wine (20.19%), and an increase of 2.12% after the administration of GSE, all relative to the ethanol-treated control. As regards the growth index, diosmin produced a reduction of 67.44% and red wine a reduction of 20.62%, while GSE again produced an increase (25.33%). The reductions in the invasion index were 45.23, 31.65 and 17.57% with diosmin, GSE and red wine, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Diosmin originated the greatest reduction in pulmonary metastases, both at the macroscopic and microscopic levels.
Value at Risk of Non-Normal Portfolios

ABSTRACT This paper sheds light on the evaluation of portfolio risk when portfolio variables are not normal, as is usually the case with financial variables. The methodology proposed in these cases is based on the assumption of a more general distribution capable of incorporating the behaviour of such variables, especially at the tails: the so called Edgeworth-Sargan distribution. This density is preferable over other distributions, such as the Student's t, when fitting high frequency financial variables, because of its flexibility for improving data fits by adding more parameters in a natural way. Furthermore, this distribution is easy to generalise to a multivariate context and, therefore, correlation coefficients among variables can be estimated efficiently. This article, therefore, provides new insights into VaR methodology by estimating the joint density of portfolio variables, and simultaneously calculating the right critical values of the underlying portfolio density. The empirical examples include the estimation and evaluation of different portfolios composed of stock indices for major financial markets.
Does the Productivity-Bias Hypothesis Hold in the Transition? Evidence from Five CEE Economies in the 1990s

The validity of the Balassa-Samuelson effect seems to be something of a stylized fact for transition countries. This article addresses the question as to whether the productivity bias hypothesis holds for the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia between 1991 and 2000. In so doing, vector autoregression model-based (VAR) cointegration analysis is employed. The results are rather varied and suggest that the Balassa-Samuelson effect is not of the same importance for each country. Generally, we find long-term cointegration relationships between productivity growth and relative prices while the link between relative prices and the real exchange rate is found to be much weaker.We then determine the extent to which the Balassa-Samuelson effect may influence inflation and real exchange rates during transition.
Indicators: tools for informing, monitoring or controlling?

Today, indicators are produced and used worldwide; across all levels and sectors of society; by public, private and civil society actors; for a variety of purposes, ranging from knowledge-provision to administrative control. While the use of quantitative data as policy support, including policy formulation, has a long history, recent decades have seen the rise of what some have called an ‘indicator industry’ (for example, Hezri and Hasan 2004), focused especially on the production of environmental and sustainability indicators, within a framework variously called ‘governance by numbers' (Miller 2001; Lascoumes and Le Gales 2005; Jackson 2011), ‘management by numbers’ in public service (for example, Hood 2007) or ‘numbers discourse’ (Jackson 2011, p. 23). Indicators are generally expected to enhance the rationality of policymaking and public debate by providing a supposedly more objective, robust, and reliable information base. Indicators can operate as ‘boundary objects’ (for example, Turnhout 2009; Star 2010), catering to both technocratic and deliberative ideals, by combining ‘hard facts’ and modelling with collective reasoning and ‘speculation’. Research and development work in the area has hitherto overwhelmingly concentrated on improving the technical quality of indicators, while the fate of indicators in policymaking and the associated sociopolitical aspects have attracted little attention. This chapter focuses on this neglected area of indicator research, by providing an overview of the multiple types of existing indicators, as well as their use and influence in various venues of policymaking. Empirical examples are drawn mainly from the fields of environmental and sustainability indicators.
DPSK exact bit error rates with unsynchronized slowly fading interferers

We derive a new closed-form expression for the exact bit error probability for the detection of a noncoherent binary phase shift keying signal experiencing a multiple cochannel asynchronous interferers in nonselective Rayleigh-fading channels. The analysis accounts for the effect of the timing offset of the different interfering signals as well as the correlation between two adjacent bit intervals. It is valid for general waveshaping pulses and allows interfering signals to have unequal power levels. The results are used to assess the accuracy of the Gaussian interference approximation for diversity receivers.
Reduced oxygenation in human obese adipose tissue is associated with impaired insulin suppression of lipolysis.

CONTEXT Adipose tissue in obese individuals is characterized by reduced capillary density and reduced oxygenation. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to test whether hypoxia is associated with reduced antilipolytic effect of insulin. PARTICIPANTS, DESIGN, AND SETTING Twenty-one lean and obese individuals participated in this cross-sectional study at a university-based clinical research center. INTERVENTION In all subjects, in situ adipose tissue (AT) oxygenation [AT oxygen partial pressure (ATpO2)] was measured with a Clark electrode, insulin sensitivity as well as basal and insulin-suppressed lipolysis (continuous infusion of (2H5)glycerol) were measured during a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, and abdominal sc AT biopsies were collected to assess fat cell size (Coulter counting of osmium-fixed cells), capillary density (by staining of histological sections), and gene expression (by quantitative RT-PCR). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE In situ ATpO2 was evaluated. RESULTS The ability of insulin to suppress lipolysis (percent) was positively correlated with insulin sensitivity (r=0.43; P<0.05), ATpO2 (r=0.44; P<0.05), vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA (r=0.73; P<0.01), and capillary density (r=0.75; P<0.01). CONCLUSION These results indicate that low capillary density and ATpO2 in AT are potentially upstream causes of AT dysfunction.
Studies on the Effects of Property Taxation, Rent Control and Housing Allowances

This thesis consists of an introduction to the economic analysis of housing markets (Chapter 1) and three studies each analyzing different housing policy instruments. Chapter 2 examines the effect on housing construction of the Finnish property tax system. The focus is on the effects of taxing undeveloped land at a higher rate than developed land. Theoretical analysis indicates that pre-development land tax should lead to faster development but a side-effect of this is that the density of development may be affected too. According to empirical results, a higher pre-development land tax increases single family housing starts but does not affect development density measured as the volume (cubic meters) per started unit. Chapter 3 analyzes the costs and benefits of rent control to tenants. The focus is on the measurement of welfare losses from misallocation of housing under rent control. Empirical results suggest that the costs of increased mismatch between dwellings and households under rent control offset much of the benefits of low rents to tenants. Chapter 4 examines the incentive effects of the Finnish housing allowance system. Theoretical analysis shows that the system creates incentives to move to dwellings with certain spaceâ€“quality combinations. Empirical analysis suggests that households eligible for housing allowance do not respond to the incentives.
Payment by results and social impact bonds in the criminal justice sector: New challenges for the concept of evidence-based policy?

Payment by results allows the government to pay a provider of services on the basis of the outcomes their service achieves rather than the inputs or outputs the provider delivers. Social impact bonds (SIBs) are a form of payment by results which allow the financing of social outcomes via private investment. It is suggested that payment by results and SIBs will drive greater efficiency, innovation and impact in tackling social problems through focusing reward on outcomes and providing minimal prescription as to how these outcomes should be achieved. It is suggested that this may be achieved while also reducing risk for government. Here we set out the challenges likely to arise in developing payment by results models and SIBs in the criminal justice system of England and Wales. These include the uncertainty arising from defining outcomes, estimating the potential impact of interventions, measuring and attributing change, valuing benefits, demonstrating a fiscal return and getting interventions to scale. We conclude that, to a government trying to deliver ‘more for less’, payment by results may offer an attractive solution in some parts of the public sector. However, the case for this approach in the criminal justice sector, where the evidence base is contested and potential savings difficult to quantify and realize, is not yet proven.
Firm Size and Dividend Payouts

This paper presents a model of large institutional and small individual investors choosing stocks. Dividend policy of firms is determined by the preferences of the resulting stockholders. Large investors choose to invest in large corporations because it lowers their transaction costs. Since these institutions prefer dividends, the large corporations choose to pay dividends, while the small corporations, owned by individuals, do not. The results show that firm size and liquidity explain the decision of whether to pay dividends well, whereas existing informational explanations (such as monitoring and signaling) explain the level of dividends well.
The effect of corporate brand dominance, involvement and corporate associations on attitudes toward new product development

This study investigates the moderating role of corporate brand dominance and involvement in the relationship between corporate associations and attitudes toward new product. An experiment design using two version of advertisements are developed to manipulate the corporate brand dominance. A skincare product manufactured by a Taiwan petrochemical company was used in the study. The results indicate that both associations of corporate ability and corporate credibility have greater effect on consumer attitudes toward new product than corporate social responsibility. However, there are no significant relations between corporate brand dominance and involvement in both of these associations (corporate ability and corporate credibility). Instead, there are significant moderation effects between corporate brand dominance and involvement in corporate social responsibility. Implications for future research are discussed and limitations noted.